Starbucks workers in three states have filed lawsuits against the coffee chain, claiming the company violated labor laws by requiring new uniforms without paying for them. The class-action suits were filed in Illinois and Colorado, while workers in California submitted complaints to the state’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
The legal action comes after Starbucks implemented a new dress code in May that requires employees to wear solid black shirts under their green aprons. Workers must also wear khaki, black or blue denim pants without patterns, and shoes made from waterproof materials in specific colors. The company says the changes help make their green aprons stand out and create a more familiar experience for customers.
According to The Hill, Brooke Allen, a student who works at a Starbucks in Davis, California, spent over $147 on new clothes to meet the requirements. “I think it’s extremely tone deaf on the company’s part to expect their employees to completely redesign their wardrobe without any compensation,” Allen said. Gilbert Cruz, an Illinois employee, asked for just $10 to cover the cost of removing a nose piercing to comply with the new rules but was denied. Workers say “we’re not paying for that” has become a common response from management when asked about reimbursement.
Starbucks provided free shirts but workers say it wasn’t enough
The lawsuits claim Starbucks broke state laws that require companies to pay back workers for expenses that mostly benefit the employer. Colorado law also stops employers from putting costs on workers without their written permission. The workers want damages for all Starbucks employees in those states, whether their stores are unionized or not.
Starbucks workers in three states sued the coffee giant Wednesday, claiming the company violated the law when it changed its dress code and refused to reimburse employees who had to buy new clothes.
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Starbucks gave each employee two free black shirts when it announced the dress code change. However, workers report delays in getting these shirts, leaving some without proper clothing for work. The company said it simplified the dress code to give clearer guidance to employees and improve the customer experience.
The new rules mark a big change from Starbucks’ previous policy. In 2016, the company began allowing workers to wear patterned shirts in many colors to let them express themselves. The old dress code was also not strictly enforced, according to court documents. But under the new system, employees who don’t follow the rules can’t start their shifts.
The dress code sparked strikes at 75 stores in May, with over 2,000 workers protesting the policy. This follows recent tensions between Starbucks and workers, including strikes in December 2024. Starbucks Workers United, which represents 640 of the company’s 10,000 US stores, filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board about the dress code but is not part of the current lawsuits. The union said workers are frustrated because they face poor management practices while the company focuses on appearance changes instead of bigger workplace issues.
