Story perspectives

Starbucks Workers Sue Over Costly New Dress Code

9/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

Starbucks workers in Illinois, Colorado, and California are suing the company over a new dress code that requires specific clothing without reimbursement for costs incurred.
The dress code, effective May 12, mandates solid black shirts, khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms, and waterproof shoes.
Employees face penalties for non-compliance, including being sent home without pay.
Workers argue the dress code violates state laws on reimbursement for employer-related expenses.
Starbucks defends the policy as a way to ensure a consistent customer experience, offering two free shirts to employees.

History

Historical Context

In 2016, California's Assembly Bill 1976 mandated employers to reimburse employees for necessary work-related expenses, impacting labor rights significantly. This law is central to the ongoing lawsuit against Starbucks, where employees in Illinois, Colorado, and California argue that the company's new dress code violates these reimbursement laws, potentially setting important precedents for labor practices in the retail sector.

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Story summary

Starbucks workers in Illinois, Colorado, and California are suing the company over a new dress code that requires specific clothing without reimbursement for costs incurred.
The dress code, effective May 12, mandates solid black shirts, khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms, and waterproof shoes.
Employees face penalties for non-compliance, including being sent home without pay.
Workers argue the dress code violates state laws on reimbursement for employer-related expenses.
Starbucks defends the policy as a way to ensure a consistent customer experience, offering two free shirts to employees.

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