Wearing Green with a Price: Starbucks' New Dress Code Sparks Anger Among Baristas
Starbucks implements strict dress code policy, sparking dissatisfaction among employees
Baristas across the U.S. and Canada have taken to the picket lines in protest of Starbucks' latest clothing guidelines. While the new dress code may seem minor at first glance, it's causing quite a stir among employees.
Beginning May 12, 2025, baristas in Starbucks-owned and licensed stores nationwide will be required to sport solid black shirts and khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms beneath their signature green aprons. This updates the previous policy that allowed for a variety of dark colors and patterns.
Protests began Sunday, with more than 1,000 Starbucks baristas at 75 U.S. stores striking. Starbucks Workers United, the union representing approximately 570 of the 10,000 U.S. company-owned stores, is leading the charge. The union voices concerns that the new dress code contradicts ongoing collective bargaining negotiations and wasn't discussed prior to implementation—as per labor laws.
One barista told the Associated Press, "Customers don't care what color our clothes are if they have to wait 30 minutes for a latte."
Starbucks insists the revised dress code will "give customers a sense of familiarity, no matter which store they visit in North America," citing their mission to create a uniform, inviting atmosphere. They also plan to provide each employee with two free black T-shirts, hoping to offset any financial burden.
Apart from the wage implications, employees also question the timing of the update, considering Starbucks' recent declines in sales and the service challenges the company faces. In the U.S., sales in comparable stores have dropped for the fifth consecutive quarter, with customers expressing concerns over high prices and long wait times.
Follow #StarbucksStrike2025 for updates on the ongoing protest and see if the coffee giant will reconsider its new dress code.
- The community policy of Starbucks, encompassing the new dress code, has sparked anger among its employees, leading to protests organized by Starbucks Workers United.
- The updated employment policy, which mandates black and khaki-based attire for baristas, has raised concerns within the industry, particularly regarding its timing and potential impact on the company's retail business and lifestyle brand.
- Critics argue that the implementation of this change, without prior discussion during collective bargaining negotiations, contradicts established labor laws and industry standards for workplace-wellness.
- In response, Starbucks claims that this employment policy change will promote a sense of science-backed familiarity and unity across their North American stores, enhancing the health-and-wellness of their customers' experiences.
- Meanwhile, finance analysts contemplate the potential consequences this fashion-and-beauty policy revision may have on Starbucks' overall business performance, considering their ongoing struggles with declining sales and service challenges.
