By DEE-ANN DURBIN
Starbucks is implementing new dress code guidelines for its baristas, effective May 12.
Under the new policy, employees must wear a solid black shirt paired with khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms. Shirts can be short- or long-sleeved and collared or collarless. Starbucks will provide each employee with two complimentary T-shirts.
The company states that the updated dress code aims to make the iconic green aprons more prominent and create a sense of familiarity for customers. This initiative is part of Starbucks’ efforts to create a more welcoming and inviting atmosphere in its stores.
According to a statement on the company’s website, “By updating our dress code, we can deliver a more consistent coffeehouse experience that will also bring simpler and clearer guidance to our partners, which means they can focus on what matters most, crafting great beverages and fostering connections with customers.”
However, some employees have expressed concerns about the new policy. Starbucks Workers United, a labor group representing workers at over 550 of Starbucks’ U.S. stores, has objected to the changes. The union asserts that a tentative dress code agreement was already negotiated during bargaining sessions and opposes any modifications until a formal labor agreement is reached.
Jasmine Leli, a Starbucks barista and union bargaining delegate, criticized the company’s decision, stating, “Instead of addressing the most pressing issues baristas have been raising for years, Starbucks is prioritizing a limiting dress code that won’t improve the company’s operation.”
The updated dress code marks a significant shift from Starbucks’ previous policies, which allowed more flexibility for self-expression. In 2016, the company expanded the color options for shirts and permitted patterned shirts in specific colors. In 2019, one facial piercing no larger than a dime was allowed, a rule that remains unchanged in the new dress code.
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