NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Attorney Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer®,” author of his latest book “FIRED! Protect Your Rights & FIGHT BACK If You’re Terminated, Laid Off, Downsized, Restructured, Forced to Resign or Quit,” and host of the podcast “Know Your Job Rights with Attorney Steven Sack,” says Starbucks might have gone too far on its new dress code policy.
The company announced that, beginning May 15, all baristas must wear a solid black T-shirt and blue or black denim pants or khakis as part of their outfit. The shirts can be long- or short-sleeved and can be collared or uncollared. Starbucks said it will offer two free T-shirts to each employee.
The purpose for the new dress code, according to the company, was to make the green aprons more prominent and provide its customers with “a more consistent coffeehouse experience” while employees “can focus on what matters most, crafting great beverages and fostering connections with customers.”
The unionized members known as Starbucks Workers United expressed their opposition to the dress code and said they will not comply until a labor agreement is reached. According to the union, they already negotiated a possible agreement on the dress code.
“Sometimes, there are good reasons to have a dress code at work,” Mr. Sack says. “People already know what they are going to wear, nobody will be distracted by someone else’s outfit that may be controversial or provocative and, in many cases, it can be seen as a team or morale builder. But companies can overstep their bounds when it comes to establishing a dress code. Some workers might not have the money to pay for their new work outfits. The worker could negotiate with the company for an allowance that would help them buy the clothes they need.”
