Starbucks employees in three states in the United States are taking legal action against the coffee giant, claiming that the company changed its dress code but refused to reimburse employees for the required new clothing, which violates relevant laws.
On Wednesday, Starbucks employees, with the support of a union, filed class-action lawsuits in state courts in Illinois and Colorado. They also submitted a complaint to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, stating that if the agency decides not to seek penalties against Starbucks, they plan to file a class-action lawsuit in California.
Starbucks did not directly comment on these lawsuits on Wednesday but stated that the company simplified its dress code to provide a more consistent experience for customers and clearer guidance for employees.
The company stated on Wednesday: “As part of this change and to ensure that our partners are prepared, partners received two free shirts.”
Starbucks refers to its employees as “partners.”
Starbucks’ new dress code took effect on May 12, requiring all North American employees to wear green aprons, and pure black short or long-sleeve shirts. The shirts can have collars or not, but must cover the stomach and armpits.
The new rules also require employees to wear khaki, black, or blue jeans without patterns or frayed edges. Female employees can wear pure black skirts, but the length must not be shorter than 4 inches above the knee. Additionally, employees must wear black, gray, navy blue, brown, tan, or white waterproof shoes, while the color of socks and stockings must be soft.
The dress code also prohibits employees from having facial tattoos or wearing more than one facial piercing, and prohibits tongue rings and “exaggerated makeup.”
In April, Starbucks stated that the new dress code would make employees more visible in their green aprons and create a familiar feeling for customers. The company is trying to rebuild a warmer and more welcoming experience in its stores.
Before the new dress code took effect, Starbucks’ dress policy was relatively lenient. In 2016, the company began allowing employees to wear shirts with more colors and patterns, giving them more opportunities to express themselves.
The lawsuit filed by Starbucks employees in Colorado indicates that the company was lenient in enforcing the old dress code. However, under the new rules, employees who do not comply with the dress code cannot start their shifts.
These lawsuits and complaints filed on Wednesday claim that Starbucks’ dress code violates state laws, which require companies to reimburse employees for expenses that primarily benefit the employer. The lawsuit in Colorado also states that state law prohibits employers from imposing charges on employees without their written consent. Plaintiffs representing all Starbucks employees in these states seek compensation, regardless of whether their store has a union.
Starbucks’ new dress code sparked strikes at 75 U.S. stores in May. Starbucks Workers United, representing employees at 640 of Starbucks’ 10,000 stores in the U.S., stated that over 1,000 employees protested against this new policy. The union argues that dress code regulations should be part of the collective bargaining process.
(This article is based on reports from the Associated Press)