1 day Ago By Brigid Brown
Starbucks is dialing it back a bit, simplifying its menu and decor, and introducing changes to its dress code . Baristas are now required to wear a solid black top instead of any color top, with the new dress code taking effect on May 12. Employees can wear their own clothes and will be given two black Starbucks shirts.
It comes as the chain faces a new threat as a Chinese coffee giant plans U.S. launch .
This shift is part of the mega chain's Back to Starbucks initiative, aiming to reintroduce some of that down-to-earth charm to their stores and return to their roots, so the chain - which announced plans to lay off 1,100 employees - claims. However, employees are not happy, and they took to Reddit to express their fury. Many were angry that shirts they had bought for work would now not be accepted under the dress code.
This even includes previously sold black Starbucks tops. Meanwhile, a Starbucks barista revealed the one simple trick that always gets customers a free drink . One Starbucks staffer wrote: "That’s actually ridiculous.
The amount of shirts I was forced to buy, and now they’re not allowed?" Another agreed: "I have hundreds of dollars worth of shirts that I can no longer wear. The SM Facilitation guide says it even clearer: All previous Starbucks issued t-shirts are retiring and may not be worn after May 12th. This includes promotional, partner networks or regionally-based apparel.
" "So no more white shirts?" one employee sadly asked. Another replied: "Right? At least the old old dress code allowed that. The store is going to look so drab now, and customers won't even notice.
What is the goal of this policy?!" But some were pleased not to see a certain item fall under the banned list. One wrote: "I mean it's not polo shirts or a mask ban, so I'm relieved." Another agreed: "At least theres nothing about face mask ban lol".
One staffer wrote: "A lot of baristas are about to quit lol". To which another responded: "I think that's the point. Trying to weed out the people that are remotely interesting.
" Starbucks, which began in Seattle, Washington, in 1971, now boasts a store in every US state and a total of 35,000 stores across 80 countries. Currently, the dress code is exclusive to North America, and not all of its stores, according to Bloomberg. When it comes to trousers, baristas can choose from any shade of khaki, black or blue denim bottoms.
Before the new dress code, baristas could opt for grey or brown trousers. It appears the company is trying to offer baristas more trouser options to compensate for the limited choice in tops. From an outsider's perspective, it seems like a minor tweak that customers may or may not notice, but the ones who will definitely notice are the baristas, as it could affect their routine and wallet.
On Monday, Starbucks revealed that the reimagined dress code is designed to "allow our iconic green apron to shine and create a sense of familiarity for our customers, no matter which store they visit across North America." The coffee chain, established in 1971, first donned its iconic aprons in 1987..
