Starbucks Workers Challenge New Dress Code Over Personal Costs
Hey everyone, did you hear the latest about Starbucks? It’s making headlines because workers in three states have taken legal action against the company over its new dress code. This isn’t just a minor workplace complaint—it’s a full-blown class-action lawsuit. Employees in Illinois and Colorado filed suits in state courts, and workers in California have also lodged complaints with the state labor agency. If California’s agency doesn’t take action, the employees plan to pursue a class-action lawsuit there too.
The issue started when Starbucks rolled out a stricter dress code, requiring all North American staff to wear solid black shirts under their green aprons, paired with khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms, or black dresses that aren’t more than four inches above the knee. Shoes must be in neutral colors and waterproof, while socks and hosiery are supposed to be “subdued.” Beyond clothing, face tattoos, multiple facial piercings, tongue piercings, and “theatrical makeup” are now prohibited. Starbucks explained the update was meant to create a more consistent and welcoming experience for customers. Two free shirts were given to employees, but any additional wardrobe changes had to be paid for out of pocket.
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This new policy sparked immediate backlash. Back in May, over 1,000 employees protested across 75 stores. Many workers felt the dress code should have been negotiated through collective bargaining, but that process wasn’t followed. Employees like Brooke Allen, a student and part-time barista in California, reported spending over $140 just to comply, including buying shoes, black shirts, and jeans. She described the change as “tone deaf,” especially for people living paycheck to paycheck, and admitted she misses the personal expression allowed under the old, more relaxed dress code.
Legally, the lawsuits argue that Starbucks is violating state laws that require reimbursement for work-related expenses that mainly benefit the employer. In Colorado, for example, employers aren’t allowed to impose costs on workers without written consent. Some plaintiffs, like Gilbert Cruz in Illinois, even tried to get reimbursed for small things like removing a nose piercing but were denied.
This move by Starbucks employees marks a new front in their ongoing efforts to unionize stores. Starbucks Workers United has been filing unfair labor practice charges for years, but the National Labor Relations Board has had limited ability to act due to lack of quorum after political shifts. Despite ongoing negotiations since 2021, the union and Starbucks have yet to reach a binding contract agreement.
So, while Starbucks aims to present a consistent, polished brand to its customers, many employees are now fighting back in court, arguing that the financial and personal burdens of the new dress code are unfair. It’s a fascinating clash between corporate branding and worker rights, and it’s definitely one to watch as it unfolds.
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