I’m going to talk about the Starbucks dress code. Let’s establish some ground rules, and an understanding before I go any further: We will not reach an agreement. We will NOT get to a place of consensus. There are valid arguments from many different points of view. There is NOT one right answer. I will absolutely and quickly delete any comment that descends into disrespectful conversation, or emotional finger pointing, or name calling. If you can’t talk intelligently in the comments, don’t bother. And last but not least, you may not agree with my opinions, and that is okay too. I’m not trying to please every single person. And who knows, perhaps the fact that I get a few people angry is a good thing. It says something about the content. There. I got that out of the way.
I suspect the Starbucks dress code may be one of the more heated and controversial topics. And again, note the entire paragraph rant above: I expect people to not slam each other in the comments. Remember: Reasonable minds may differ.
I started thinking about this blog article from the perspective of what could (or would) partners want to change? I sent out a simple tweet which said: I am writing a blog article about the #Starbucks dress code. If u could change ONLY ONE thing, what would it be? Or would u make no change?
Here’s what I heard on twitter:
- From the East Coast, one person wrote, “
@SbuxMel the tattoo rule. Ppl have to wear long sleeves or pants in S.Florida heat = so bueno@Starbucks#dresscode” - One partner in Canada tweeted at me, “
@SbuxMel Visible tattoos! I’ve had feedback from so many partners about showing their tattoos! Starbucks promotes diversity including tats!“ - A former partner in Canada said, “
@SbuxMel allow visible tattoos!“ - And another voice for tattoos, “
@SbuxMel Small tats that are respectable should be allowed. I have one on my leg and couldn’t wear shorts all summer“ - A former partner (who I think is in California) tweeted, “
@SbuxMel Allow visible tattoos, but put a requirement that the visible part can’t be more than 3″ by 3″ - Another partner wrote, “
@SbuxMel Tattoos should NOT be outlawed provided they are not profane etc,“ - And a partner in Indiana wrote the about tucking in her shirts: “
@SbuxMel – I hate tucking in my shirts. It is unflattering & unattractive on many (me!) and I can look presentable and appropriate w/o it.“ - Another partner, (I think somewhere on the East Coast) wrote about tucking in shirts too, “
@SbuxMel Tucked in shirts. It’s a silly rule that honestly looks bad on most people and isn’t followed in my area.” - A former partner really had a strong dislike for black socks: “I used to hate being required to wear black socks.“
- One person wants to wear t-shirts: “
@SbuxMel 1 thing: Please let me wear my drawer full of#Starbucks tees to work.#dresscode“ - One partner tweeted, “
@sbuxmel if I could chng 1 thing it would be jeans, not holy jeans but nice jeans lol#dresscode“ - And another person who wants jeans wrote, “
@SbuxMel Dear Lord, jeans. Jeans jeans jeans. I honestly don’t think it would devalue the brand in the least.“ - And then on the east coast, one person wants to be able to wear a gem stud in her nose: “
@SbuxMel I would like to be able to wear my nose ring. They are so common now that I don’t think it’s inappropriate to wear it.” (I tweeted with her for further clarification, and I believe this is intended to mean that partners should be allowed to have a very small gem stud in their nose.)
I’ve attached a couple of images describing the dress code from older Starbucks training materials. While the attached images may be a little dated, I don’t believe that the dress code has gone through any substantial change since then (at least as far as I know). One thing to know is that a small number of stores have an “elevated dress code” which is stricter than the normal dress code. It’s my understanding that Olive Way, Brewery Blocks, 15th Avenue Coffee, Madison Park, and Issaquah Meadows all have a requirement of an “elevated dress code” which means an all black attire, no open-toed shoes, and no sleeveless shirts. I have heard that the stores following “elevated dress code” have a rule that partners cannot wear the black “coffee gear” official Starbucks-branded polos, which seems a little silly to me. I have seen many many partners wearing the black polos from the coffee gear store, and they look quite nice! (Someone please correct me if I’ve got the “elevated dress code” wrong.)
So if you could change just ONE thing, what would it be?
I realize that is such a tough question. Everybody has a different idea about what is tasteful. I admit, I personally am not ready for full arms of tattoos, or multiple huge metallic piercings in the face. In fact, I’m also the kind of person that once in a while will mention to clients that when you sit before a judge, please wear conservative attire, turn off your cell phone, and please don’t chew gum at either the plaintiff or defense table.
At least in my area, it seems like one of the least enforced dress code rules, is the rule about gem stone studs in the nose. Lots of people have tiny nose studs. It seems like it would be the single easiest change to the dress code, and would make a difference to many partners.
As to tattoos, I can’t think of anything more difficult. Despite what many think, we really do not live in a world where everyone wants to see tattoos. I have occasionally thought that an easy way to make a small change to the Starbucks tattoo policy would be to have a ‘dollar bill’ test. If the exposed area of the tattoo is no larger than a dollar bill, it is fine. So basically, I like the dress code the way it is right now. If I could change anything to try and make partners have a more rewarding and comfortable experience, I would first consider allowing a nose stud. After that, I would see no harm in having a jeans day on a regular basis too. And I am not married to the idea that shirts must be tucked in either. But in any event, I said ONE thing, so I picked the nose stud, since I already see that dress code rule overlooked on a regular basis.
I guess I do think that the dress code could be relaxed a little. You’ve seen some of my thoughts on that. It’s your turn now.
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I like a dress code and do believe it should be adhered to. Once you relax a rule there will always one who will take that rule further on a technicality and then the dress code soon spirals downhill from there.
To help maintain a higher standard of quality in Starbucks products, Starbucks employees should also maintain a higher standard of quality in their dress. By relaxing attire, attitude relaxes and therefore quality may suffer.
Just the opinion of an older woman who still believes in respect.
Funny … for all the years going to Starbucks I’d have never even realized there was a dress code. Maybe that’s the success of the code: no one stands out; the product is the star, not the employees. It subtly separates Starbucks from indie coffeehouses, where I almost expect to see tattoos and piercings behind the counter.
Of course, I live in Central Florida where the largest employer – Disney – is well known for their very specific appearance and dress guidelines. They take the approach that if you don’t want to comply with the guidelines, there are other places you can choose to work.
But even Disney has relaxed their guidelines over the years, now allowing clothing styles (and mustaches on men) that were expressly forbidden a decade ago. The requirement for men in offices to wear ties faded out, with the belief that dressing less formally didn’t mean working less professionally. There can be room for change as societal norms change.
I was going to say that I will have an unpopular opinion, but I see I am not the first to come and say that I think the dress code is fine as it is and I wish that it was enforced everywhere.
The one thing I’d really like though is to be able to wear gray pants…I’d even prefer them to tan pants. Everytime I wear my tan pants, I come home with coffee spills on them, at least gray wouldn’t show them.
I don’t like the idea of nose rings…though exceptions for people who require them for religious reasons makes sense (I once had a partner with a note from her religious leader stating she needed to wear it for cultural reasons), I don’t like the idea of tattoos, and I don’t really like the idea of jeans. It can be a slippery slope. What’s small and taseful, or appropriate for one person may not be for someone else, and when you start measuring things with ‘I think that tattoo is too big, or I don’t like the image in it’, or ‘woah, those jeans are too tight, frayed, etc…’ What we have now is easy to manage. Either it’s right, or it’s not.
While I have no problem telling someone they are out of dress code and that they need to go home and change, I’d bet there aren’t many shift supervisors that manage the dress code as diligiently as SMs and ASMs do. So, if I think they’re right on the line when they’re in with me…there will be partners that come in way under the line when they know they’re working with a shift supervisor, and they’ll get away with it. I’d really worry about that. (though not with MY partners, of course 😉 )
I agree with Suzanne C and Michelle. I visited a Starbucks store in a college town last spring and was shocked at the heavily tattooted & pierced barista taking my order. He seemed to be the person in charge too. The atmosphere was non business like and I doubt I’d go back there. Stick to the dress code as it is.
@SuzanneC – Oh trust me I get what you’re saying. Many folks just doesn’t get that their individuality is not part of a great team mission. There is no “I” in team. Heck, you know I’m ex-af – I see some good in uniforms. Last night I was talking to a borrowed partner at the bar who described to how he wanted to wear facial piercings to work, and when he was pointing at his lips, and eyebrows and describing the metal, I cringed a bit.
I would not advocate for a wholesale change in the dresscode, and so I wanted to focus the conversation around the idea of one thing to change.
It doesn’t look like the dress code is totally followed here in Seattle, anyways and if it is not followed here, that must be the case everywhere.
@Eric – Great comment. And actually, I have walked into plenty of businesses where at times I wish the dress code were stricter. You give up a piece of yourself to be a part of something larger. I recall shopping at Lush (a place that makes bath products) and I literally said “No thank you I don’t need any help” and walked a way, when a sales associate with like 8 large pieces of metal in her face, came up to me to help me. I am shocked at how large of tattoos are permissible at Nordstrom. When shopping for a suit for work, I sort of think the sales associate will look a bit conservative. Times are changing. I still tell clients to spit out their gum, and dress nicely for court. Actually, I am shocked at how many attorneys I see wearing skirtss too short, and non professional attire. Something will eventually give in the dress code at Starbucks. Just not sure what that something will be – Maybe the rule about tucking in shirts!?
Letting someone with a tatoo on their calf wear shorts in the heat we have down here in Fort Lauderdale might actually IMPROVE service if the partner is begrudging because he’s sweating and working uncomfortably behind the counter, right? The dress code is a catch 22. Changing something may or may not help. The code is in place for the same reason there are dink recipes and standards: so you get the same world class service and beverages when you visits any of the 15,000+ stores world wide. To the company’s defense, partners are aware of the dress code before agreeing to work, but I do think some modifications are in order.
Melody what a great post! Funny I should open it up today because I was thinking about this. I wish partners would adhere more to the dress code as it is because at my local SB and others in my area there are so many different dress codes. One thing I would like to see eliminated is the exposed tattoo. I find too many partners not paying attention to this rule and I frankly do not want to get a drink from someone with a tattoo. Also, I find partners not caring about their appearance. I remember there was a time when one SB required women to wear coverings on their hair. I also agree with Suzanne’s comments.
I am in the camp of NOT wanting visible tattoos allowed. As a shift supervisor, I am uncomfortable with the prospect of having to decide if a tattoo is appropriate or not. I see a lot of people say “oh, mine are tasteful!” but would be define that in the dress code? It’s better to just say no. This is, I’d say, the most frequently posted and hotly debated idea on the version of MSI for partners.
I honestly don’t think I’d change anything about dress code. It’s reasonable, easy to follow, and allows enough variety for me.
I like your comment Melody about sitting before a judge and I also like Suzanne’s comments especially the last word “respect”. I also like her comment Once you relax a rule there will always one who will take that rule further on a technicality and then the dress code soon spirals downhill from there. And I believe shirts should be tucked it and an untucked shirt on a person looks like an unmade bed. In fact I remember my Dad saying that people with untucked shirts look like an unmade bed and my Mom always telling me to tuck my shirt in. I believe the dress code was made up for a reason and I assume people applying for jobs at Starbucks are told about the dress code and have the option of declinging to work at Starbucks if they do not agree with it and don’t understand why people who agree to it are now objecting to it and I have said before that if they don’t like it they are free to quit and while they are looking for another job, which in this lousy economy might take a little longer than they figured on, they can wear their tattoos, piercings, and untucked shirts to their heart’s content in the unemlpoyment line.
I had this discussion with a tattooed partner, and I explained the need for the policy in this manner: While I may not find your tattoos offensive, I do not necessarily set the standards for what is offensive. I do not find a face tattoo offensive, but find “F*^K” on someone’s neck offensive. The next person may be very upset at any sight of any tattoos. Since no one person can deem what is acceptable for everyone, it is best to have a blanket-policy that does not allow for any tattoos.
I’m not a fan of tattoos or particularly piercings, though, I don’t have an issue with the small gem nose studs. To answer the question, the one thing I’d change about the dress code is to ENFORCE it! There is a huge value to presenting a clean and uniform presence to the public in an environment such as Starbucks. I subconsciously associate sloppy dress with dirty and sloppy work in an food environment. Educating young people, such as the great majority of Starbucks retail employees, to understand the benefit of uniformity in some settings will help them as they grow and mature – even though they may not like at the time! Maybe that’s just a good piece of education for everyone… There are parts of EVERY job that you won’t like, but, you have to deal with it!
I wholeheartedly agree 100% with the above comment. What is the sense of having a dress code if it isn’t enforced? And like I said in my comment above and many other times if people don’t like or agree with Starbucks’ dress code they are free to seek employment elsewhere. I just ask these people is it worth it?
Well, Suzanne started this off just right and I (as well as obviously many others) agree with her 100%. and with @DinahMoeH…..”enforce it”.
If I had to pick one thng I especially do NOT want to see, it’s ANY facial piercing, nose or otherwise. I’m also not a fan of tatoos, but obvioulsy if they don’t show…it’ll be their problem when they’re 85yrs old! 🙂
I’d say around here: I rarely see a tatoo, but once in a blue moon and I’d say almost never ever any facial piercings. So, must be mostly being enforced here.
Yrs and yrs ago, we used to be able to wear jeans in the clinical microbiology labs I worked in..hospitals. This is under a long (knee length) lab coat, and also having no patient-contact. (just organisms and various ‘products’ from people that needed to be cultured.) This was changed in the early 90’s and I know of no lab around here now that allows jeans, at all. (and you have to remember, this is a potentially nasty job, ALWAYS covered by a long lab coat). I can see where jeans could be allowed in THAT setting, (and yet they are not) or something similar…but not in retail, or visible customer service.
also, am amzed that you saw that (piercings) at Nordstrom Melody! I have not….and I think I would’ve walked away. That’d be a huge turn-off for me.
Steve – I talk to potential hires about the dress code during my phone screen. So, they know about the details of the dress code before I even meet them. It’s very telling when we’ve had the conversation about dress code during the phone screen and then they show up for the interview in jeans with tatoos exposed and facial piercings.
There’s nothing that drives me more crazy than jeans at an interview.
When I worked at the bookstore there was a big focus put on dress code about halfway through my 9 years with them. One of the executives toured the country and was appalled by what they found. So, we went from a ‘business casual’ dress code to something that very closely resembles the Starbucks dress code. Funnily enough I was more casually dressed in the new dress code than I’d been before. However, I guess that wasn’t the case in all markets, so they wanted something consistent. It makes sense….but only if it’s enforced.
I think the only thing I would love to change is having a tshirt Friday where we can wear a Starbucks tshirt from either a previous promotion(vivanno, pike place, holidays, Via, etc.) Or from Starbucks coffee gear. I would wear the Starbucks shirt with coffee written in various languages as i feel it signifies how we embrace diversity – coffee is a universal languages that brings us together. I also agree that enforcing the dress code is needed. My district is really good at enforcing it, but down the road in other districts I see tattoos and untucked shirts. It makes it difficult for me to coach my partners when they see other stores not following the standard.
I think these comments are wonderful. I also think facial piercings are not appropriate in a food establishment. The question then should be how do you successfully enforce the dress code on a consistent basis? Is it the shift supervisor, SM or DM that is responsible for doing it?
Diele your point of enforcing the dress code when the code is not enforced in another district is a good point. Around here there are stores that you would think would be in the same district, but for whatever reason the districts were realigned and I can see differences in dress code and also in how the rewards are implemented. You would think at DM meetings they would discuss continuity of rewards and dress code.
Melody,
I’m just gonna be easy and agree with Susanne C.
I like a clean, uniform work environment to buy my clean uniform coffee. Once a company strays just a little employees will start to bend the rules little by little. Give them an inch…
What I do think would be fun is see a different apron here and there. Holiday aprons. Or allow employees to pick from a couple of styles to wear every day.
~Allie
If I, instead of Howard, was running Starbucks and it was I with all my high priced lawyers wrote the dress code I would issue a memo that EVERY Starbucks would and should adhere to the dress code and if any employee has the burning desire to go against the established dress code and show off their tattoos, facial piercings, wierd hair colors, or anything else contrictary to Starbucks’ dress code they will be given the choise to either conform to Starbucks’ dress code or be fired. If they chose the former then they would be allowed to stay and enjoy the benefits Starbucks provides but if they choose the latter they will be asked to leave and try to find another job that will allow them to show off their tattoos, facial piercings, wierd hair colors, and anything else they wish to show off and see if it is as good a place, with all the benefits, as Stabucks is. As I have said before in this bad economy this may not be as easy as people might think.
I just have to add this. Whenever I hear anyone wanting to show off their tattoos, etc. I think about that Dagwood cartoon where Dagwood goes to diner for a cup of coffee and the guy behind the counter is smoking with tattoo and he is sort of fat and wearing an vest with his hairy chest showing.
As a partner with the company for 13 years I love Starbucks for respecting my diversity I wish the dress code was a little less formal so it shows off our diversity – it’s one of the things that make it a great place to work. A tucked in shirt on me, looks silly – (I’m not a size 0) White never looks smart on a partner for more than 5 minutes as we do spend all day handcrafting coffees. I would get rid of the white and allow us to where all black but be a touch more creative with it – a black dress or tunic looks smart – so long as it has sleeves and is below the knee like wise a black collar less shirt/top – (not t shirt)looks smart and is cooler in the summer. I’m shocked that people are so judgemental of a person just because they have a piercing, blue hair or a tattoo – I love the fact that in the partner guide it says you are not allowed to wear cowboy boots – that’s not a rule we have in the UK any cowboys are welcome over here!!- in the UK we are not allowed any piercings at all and only a plain wedding band ring – this is very unfair to partners who are LGBT or don’t want to get married but do wear a commitment ring. I think If we go down the road of being overly strict with dress code we end up looking like a fast food chain instead of an artisan coffee house.
I am sure there are reasons for every dress code rule in that manual. (Like the military or the railroad…every rule is written in blood! okay, maybe not that serious)
In the past couple years I can almost guess if the manager is in the back or working that day by seeing how partners are dressed. If tattoos are covered by long sleeves or wristbands when your order is taken. I will occasionally see girls wearing black leggings instead of pants, or non-clear nail polish and jokingly call them out on it.
Before I add a differing opinion, I will say this – I understand and adhere to the current dress code. You all are right, when I accepted employment, I accepted the dress code. However, that does not mean that I am not allowed to disagree with it. My opinion is my own, and not that of Starbucks, so it is not inappropriate for me to say that I wish some change would be considered, as long as I continue to adhere to the standards as stated.
That being said, do I wish some things were different? Yes I do. I don’t mind covering my tattoo, in fact, I completely understand that one. No one at Starbucks cares that I have the Kanji for love on my arm. I have to cover that for my other job, too.
My nose stud? I could wear that in a classroom, to teach 8 year olds how to write in cursive, but I can’t wear that to make your coffee. I’m sorry, I find that terribly conservative in a time where I see people old enough to be my grandparents with gems in their noses.
Like I said, I adhere to it. I agreed to do so when I accepted the job. Do I agree with it? Not entirely, but I still follow it.
Tucked in shirts for sure. I wear skirts exclusively because of this rule. With my short stature and curvy figure, it’s difficult to find pants that fit, let alone pants that look presentable when paired with a tucked-in shirt.
This was so interesting to read. I’ve always thought that I liked diversity and originality in the workplace, but I also remembered something that I tried to teach my children as they were growing up — “Know your audience.” It all comes back to the fact that you don’t know who will be offended or turned off by tats and piercings but pretty much no one is offended by the lack of them.
I liked the idea of having some variety within the dress code — kinda like they do for school uniforms — several pant/skirt options pair-able with several top options. That at least allows you to have a little individuality and character of your own.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with Molly’s statement re knowing your audience and you do not know how people will be offended or not by tattoos or piercings. Why put your brand and image in a place where people might walk out and not purchase something purely because of the way the partner is dressed? (as per Melody’s stories in earlier comments) Sometimes, I wonder why SB chose the colors they did for the “uniform” and do not allow more color.
My least favourite part of dress code is tucking in my shirt. I HATE it 🙂 And my partners are always shocked that I do, as I’m always tucked, and always coaching them to tuck. But if I could get rid of one thing, it would be the tucked-in shirt rule.
I DO understand it though. I have 2 partners who consistently do not tuck in their shirts. One looks presentable and perfectly professional until she bends down and shows the world her underwear. The other’s shirt is so big and sloppy it looks like a dress. My compromise (particularly for some of my non size 0 partners) is that if the shirt they’re wearing does not tuck in, they simply must be wearing another longer shirt underneath (be it a tank top or long sleeved shirt) that does tuck in.
I agree with the ‘slippery slope’ of changing the dress code. I used to work at a rec centre, and was not allowed to wear jeans there. And for the simple reason that there was almost no way to regulate which jeans were OK and which weren’t – low rise, ripped, bleached, skin-tight – too many options, and too many gray areas. While I don’t particularly love managing or enforcing our current dress code because it can feel a little restrictive at times, I definitely do not want to be dealing with a dress code where I have to be telling one partner to cover up their tattoo, and another to let it show etc.
All of my partners are well aware right into their first interview of what our dress code is, why we have it, and that I enforce it 🙂 When they accept the job, they accept the dress code with it. I am stricter on dress code than almost all the other SM’s in the city actually, when it comes to dress code, but I don’t really have a problem with it 🙂 It’s one of those “well, if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you?” scenarios 🙂
oh!and the nail-polish issue. I can see not allowing acrylics (tips)….very risky there when dealing with food, and also I can see the color issue….. clean nails show up with no polish, or (which I do think should be ok) a not very long (nails) FRench manicure…. at least they’ve been manicured plus a French is hiding nothing (grime).
However, around me, the no nail polish is enforced.
Well said Rebecca! Potential partners ARE made aware of the dress code in the interview process. If they do not like it, they do not have to accept the position if we offer it to them. Remember, it is only a dress code, not a uniform. Partners are able to show some individuality within it. When looking at our dress code policy, you see words such as “comfort, safety, support…” there is a reason the code has guidelines. Jeans, for example, are not worn because if a hot liquid is spilled on your leg, denim is a heave material that will cling to your skin with the hot liquid and potentially create a more severe injury.
As a store manager, the one point I have the most arguments about with my partners is “no perfumes or fragrances. They do not believe that the smell is distracting from the food and coffee that we want customers to smell and buy. Also, coffee is like a sponge and will take on any smell around it. To prove this to my partners, we sprayed a small piece of paper with perfume and set it in the bottom of a large box. We then opened a bag of whole bean coffee and set it in the bottom of the box too. We left the box closed for 5 mins and then took the coffee out, ground it and made a French press with that coffee. Can you guess what the coffee tasted like?
You are right, we will never all agree on this topic, but like I tell partners who challenge the dress code, ” you have a choice to work here. Until you see your name on the company logo, we follow the Starbucks dress code.”
As a customer paying top prices for a cup of coffee, I like everything about the dress code.
The coffee is all I notice. Express your individuality on your own time.
It could be worse–the dress code at my last job required pantyhose.
Stepanie’s comment seems to sum it all up…” YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO WORK HERE. UNTIL YOU SEE YOUR NAME ON THE COMPANY LOGO, WE FOLLOW STARBUCKS’ DRESS CODE” and I also like AJ’s comment…EXPRESS YOURSELF ON YOUR OWN TIME”.
Some say I look like the kind of person you would expect to have a couple of tattoo’s, but I don’t. Personally I wouldn’t want one, and I would discourage my kids from doing the same. It’s a bit strange though! My daughter is a gifted artist, and probably would make for an excellent tattoo artist.
Tatt’s are a touchy subject. Although I said I would never have one myself, I don’t have a problem with people who do. Even if they are big, as long as they are somewhat in good taste and not offensive, who am I too judge somebody’s freedom to express themselves. Now if somebody had 666 tattooed on their forehead, and was working in the service industry, I would have to say find employment elsewhere.
I do on the other hand believe that any employer has the right to dictate rules. regarding things like a dress code, covering tattoo’s or refusing to allow employees to look like Pinhead from Hellraiser. Rules are rules and they are just a fact of life just like abiding by laws. You have to admit there is some hypocrisy between any dress code for employees, and these Starbucks customers: http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/10/feud_hells_angels_vagos_motorcycle_gangs_starbucks.php
I hate to put this out there, because it sounds terrible, but not all of us ARE made aware of the dress code at the time of interview. I most certainly was not, and only found out some rules of the dress code because I inadvertently violated them. I was told at the time of my interview no facial piercings and no tattoos, both of which I obviously accepted because I am currently a partner. I did not even receive the book that all partners are supposed to receive upon hiring that tells you all of these things.
So, before you judge a barista who isn’t following the letter of the dress code, please consider that they work for a manager that didn’t tell them any of these things. Because that was my experience until very recently when my store changed hands.
Tattoos are a very subjective thing when it comes to dress code. A tattoo that means a lot to one person may come across as offensive to somebody else. It is just easier for the company to “no visible tattoo” altogether rather than having to judge if a tattoo is appropriate or not. There’s a lot of gray area for that.
If I could change anything about dress code it would be jeans and hair colour! Starbucks isn’t a super formal place and I know that partners are supposed to present themselves in a neat fashion, but we can still look good with a nice pair of dark wash jeans. As for hair colour, why should it matter what colour your hair is? It’s not like tattoos where a symbol could offend someone. It’s just a colour. I kind of wanted to get red highlights when I worked there, but resorted to copper instead due to the “no unnatural hair colour” policy.
And tucking in of shirts! I understand this policy because when you work at Starbucks you have to bend at the waist a lot or reach down to grab things from the bar fridge and your shirt could rise up exposing your lower back. Simple fix: If your shirt is long enough to not expose your lower back when you’re reaching down, then no need to tuck in. If your shirt is NOT long enough, then it should be tucked.
I have told countless partners to tuck their shirt in…only for them to come back from their break having it untucked again!
@kitenarie – Please don’t worry – I don’t judge partners when I see them not in dress code, especially when I’m not super familiar with the location or SM. Depending on the situation, I might reach out to their SM. And, even amongst the stores in my own district, I know there are partners that aren’t super aware of dress code. My point was only that I don’t feel bad about strictly enforcing dress code at MY store because I make sure MY partners know well ahead of time. (Part of the reason I do that is that *my* first SM didn’t tell me all the details of dress code when I was hired, and I also found out the hard way by inadvertently wearing a non-collared, non-turtleneck black shirt…oops!)
I would have to agree that the tattoo policy seems strange, as long as there not profane they don’t bother me. I also imagine the dress code can be annoying when its hot out (the jeans and black/dark clothing).
I think the culture differences between Europe (specifically the UK) and the US are interesting. I think attire in the UK is generally slightly more formal (and in my opinion better fitting), US culture is simply more casual and relaxed in this aspect. Shorts, for example, would never be allowed in a national chain – surf shops, etc being a possible exception. I don’t get the shorts thing many have mention, US stores tend to have the A/C set at like -20 Centigrade in the summer, regardless of location?
For me, I would change the ability to wear shorts and awful the cargo pants. To me they look unprofessional. It’s a coffee bar, no one is going for a hike or on an army march. Smart black trousers, or well fitting dark jeans would be much better.
Brian – I know that in my last store during the summer my customers were constantly cold and we were melting behind the line. All of the machines we have back there throw off heat. The brewer, the espresso machines, the cash registers, the fridges, etc. I can’t imagine how the folks in the south do it! The shorts really are a godsend, but yes, they are very casual.
I think around here (where I am) more partners were (long-ish) shorts during the summer (especially) than not. some even all yr….. (a few ‘tough guys’) I have no problem with shorts at all and I can certainly understand how hot it must get for the partners.
@chgo: can you see all these (now) young people with all the tattoos when they’re 85 or so? it’s just hard to imagine……and I really think they aren’t thinking of that either, some of them, when they get them. (I’m not talking about a discreet or small-something….. I mean some of these way ALOT tatted) I really (and I’m 58) have yet to see anyone very elderly with any tattoos, with the exception of men, and usually that was military associated. But, the times they are a…….
There are a few partners around here that continue to wear shorts in cold weather mainly because of the heat behind the counter. I guess the bottom line is that even with the dress code written down and discussed with partners, the enforcement varies depending on the store and the SM. I suppose you have to ask yourself when you see the dress code not being enforced is if the SM sees it as important to enforce. Also, most customers probably do not even know what the SB dress code is and only look at it from an individual basis in terms of how the partner looks.
There are so many comments that i need to reply to and this thread is such a good example of why I desperately need to install disqus for my comments! @Steve2 – Do not shout in all caps a reiteration of what someone else said. No. That’s rude. This thread is a place of discussion and it is OKAY that not everyone thinks the same way about tattoos. This thread is mostly about the hypothetical situation of ‘if you could change one thing?’ and for many people the issues surrounding tattoos would be their ‘one thing’
Having said that, even if the test was a one-dollar bill size tattoo, you could end up offensive small tattoos, and that would be very difficult to police.
@Brian – Your comment is a great comment. You might have one of the few comments that suggests a stricter rules – no short, no army cargo pants – Actually I do think loose-fitting khaki pants with a gazillion big cargo pockets do look tacky all the time, I can understand not allowing that.
Shorts is a tough one that I have never really thought much about. I am going to think about that. Here in Seattle, it is cool enough that you really don’t see a ton of partners in shorts. I can recall a couple of times seeing partners in shorts that were just offensively too short, imho. I’ve seen shorts that I think would look fine – Longer shorts to the knees that are not skin tight. I think places like Tommy Bahama and even Eddie Bauer usually offer something like that every summer season. I’m not totally anti-shorts, but I think there would have to be guidelines. Like I said, in fact the weather in Seattle is cool enough (and even in the Summer, most of the summer it is not too hot) that I don’t see a lot of shorts on partners.
Gads I am sorry that I gave you or anyone else the impression I was shouting Melody and I was just emphising that I agree 100% with Stephanie and AJ and if I knew how to put these statments in itallics like I do on MSI
Gads I am so sorry that I gave you or anyone else the impression I was shouting and rude Melody and I was just emphising that I agree 100% with Stephanie and AJ and if I knew how to put these statments in itallics like I do on MSI that’s what I would have done. Again I am truly sorry for the misunderstanding.
@Steve2 – I know you didn’t mean anything by it, but all caps is still considered SHOUTING on the internet, and so in order to avoid people yelling at each other on this sensitive topic of the dress code, I’m just going to say ‘no shouting.’ Thanks for understanding Steve!
I am an 8 year partner who follows the dresscode EVERY DAY and who also enforces it in my store daily. Here’s the thing, there are things about the dresscode that I don’t love. If it were up to me I would:
-not require partners to tuck in their shirt but still require that they can maintain no skin showing to the customers
-allow partners to wear jeans on the weekends when we can wear our T’s (Fri Sat and Sun)
-allow a small nose stud
-possibly allow the colors grey and brown
My biggest issue with the dresscode is that if you follow it to the letter you are basically wearing the casual Friday version of 40 year old mens clothing. I know I can pick items that are not a black polo with khaki’s and a belt but it’s clothing that I think Howard is comfortable in but every woman may not be.
Thanks for your understanding Melody. I was told about the shouting deal when I was Steve1 and did all my posts on MSI in caps and I think it was you. How can I itiliize things for emphasis here like I do on MSI?
@sssuperbecca – Some of the conversations here about tucked in shirts have been interesting, but I honestly think that you can look find without a tucked in shirt. I work in a professional environment but often don’t tuck in my shirt. And honestly – I cringe to say this because I might get some backlash – but unless you’re a women’s size 2 or 4 or 6, it can be hard to pull off. And guys who have a 33 inch waist, might be fine tucking in shirts, but for many guys it just won’t look great.
As my Dad would say “an untucked shirt looks like an unmade bed”. I quite agree and there are an awfull lot of unmade beds walking around. One guy gets on the bus every morning with his shirt untucked and he looks like…you guessed it…an unmade bed.