Staffers in three states take legal action against Starbucks over new dress code

Starbucks workers in three states have taken legal action against their employer over its newly enforced dress code.

Staffers in California filed with the state’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency with the hope that it would seek penalties against the coffee retail giant. If not, they plan to file a class-action lawsuit.

Workers in Illinois and Colorado already filed class-action suits against Starbucks in their respective states, The Hill reported.

Referring to its employees as “partners”, Starbucks offered a brief comment.

“As part of this change, and to ensure [our] partners were prepared, partners received two shirts at no cost,” Starbucks responded on Wednesday.

Why did Starbucks enforce the dress code last May? Presumably because this is how they dress:

Starbucks workers strike over dress code policy…pic.twitter.com/xdH26MkjDr

— Community Notes & Violations (@CNviolations) May 29, 2025

According to The Hill, the new code demands staffers wear solid khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms without frayed hems. Solid black dresses not more than four inches above the knee are also permitted.

Tops can be worn with long or short sleeves; they must be black and cover the armpits and midriffs. Collars are optional.

Employees can also wear neutral waterproof shoes with “subdued” socks or hosiery.

Sounds reasonable, right?

But here’s the kicker: Face tattoos and multiple facial piercings are now prohibited, along with tongue piercings and “theatrical makeup.”

“I think it’s extremely tone deaf on the company’s part to expect their employees to completely redesign their wardrobe without any compensation,” California staffer Brooke Allen said in April after she was told about the upcoming changes. “A lot of us are already living paycheck to paycheck.”

Starbucks had been loose with its dress code before the stricter rules were implemented. One can imagine why they had to crack down.

Starbucks workers march around in circles while going on strike to protest against the coffee chains new dress code and demand new contracts.

“If we don’t get it, shut it down.” pic.twitter.com/KsP7IkhGaL

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 26, 2025

This battle’s been going on for months and doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon.

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