"Spent 120,000 Won Because Crocs Were Banned": Angry Starbucks Employees File Unexpected Class Action Lawsuit

Starbucks Employees in Three U.S. States Demand Reimbursement for Dress Code Expenses
Lawsuits Filed After May Dress Code Change Leaves Workers Paying Out of Pocket
Strict Rules and Tattoo Restrictions Lead to Complaints That "Stores Feel Gloomy

Photo of Starbucks employees attached to the press release promoting the new dress code in May by Starbucks USA. Starbucks

At a Starbucks store in Davis, California, an employee referred to as A was informed by their manager this past July that Crocs shoes did not comply with the new dress code. The manager told A that if they wanted to work the next day, they would need to purchase different shoes. After visiting three different stores, A finally found shoes that met the requirements and paid $60.09 (83,000 won). In addition to the shoes, A spent another $86.95 (120,000 won) on clothing, including a black shirt and jeans.

A criticized the company, stating, "Demanding employees to completely overhaul their wardrobes without any compensation shows a serious lack of awareness by the company," and added, "Most of us are already barely getting by on our paychecks." A and several other employees said they requested reimbursement from Starbucks for the costs incurred to comply with the new dress code, but their requests were denied. An employee at a store in Aurora, Illinois, claimed $10 (13,800 won) for removing a nose piercing, but this was also rejected.

Employees pay out of pocket for new clothes and shoes, remove piercings due to changed dress code

According to a report by the Associated Press on September 18 (local time), Starbucks employees in three U.S. states have taken legal action, claiming that the company did not reimburse them for the costs of purchasing new clothes after the dress code was changed.

According to the Associated Press, employees supported by their union have filed class-action lawsuits in state courts in Illinois and Colorado, and have submitted a complaint to the California Department of Industrial Relations. They stated that if the agency decides not to impose sanctions on Starbucks, employees plan to file a class-action lawsuit in California as well. While Starbucks did not comment directly on the lawsuits to the Associated Press, the company explained that it simplified the dress code to provide a more consistent experience for customers and clearer guidelines for employees. In a statement, Starbucks said, "As part of this change, we provided two free T-shirts to employees to help them prepare."

Starbucks employees featured in the Starbucks press release from November 2023, before the new dress code was introduced. Starbucks

Life is already tough, but no compensation is offered-employees file lawsuits

The new dress code has been in effect since May 12. Under the new rules, all North American employees are required to wear a solid black short- or long-sleeved shirt under the signature green apron. The presence of a collar does not matter, but the shirt must cover the stomach and underarms. For bottoms, only khaki, black, or non-patterned, non-frayed blue denim jeans are permitted, and black dresses that do not rise more than four inches (about 10 cm) above the knee are also allowed. Shoes must be waterproof and come in black, gray, dark blue, brown, beige, or white. Socks and stockings are limited to "subtle colors" only. In addition, facial tattoos, more than two facial piercings, tongue piercings, and excessive theatrical makeup are prohibited.

Many Starbucks employees say they miss the previous dress code. In the past, they could express themselves with colorful shirts and up to three facial piercings, but now all employees are dressed in black. Many have commented that "the store feels gloomy."

Starbucks Workers United, the labor union representing Starbucks employees, has organized 640 out of the 10,000 company-operated stores in the United States and has filed hundreds of unfair labor practice complaints with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The union filed a complaint regarding the dress code in April, but is not directly involved in the current lawsuits.