Starbucks employees in three states are suing or filing complaints against the coffee chain for implementing a new dress code and allegedly refusing to reimburse them for expenses that primarily benefit the employer.With the backing of the union organizing Starbucks’ workers, three employees filed class-action lawsuits in Illinois and Colorado on Sept. 17. They also lodged complaints with California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency, saying a class-action lawsuit would be filed if the agency didn’t seek penalties against Starbucks.
Multiple plaintiffs claim to have requested reimbursement from the Seattle-based retailer to conform to the new dress code, but were denied, based on court documents.
The coffee giant’s new dress code, which went into effect in May, requires workers to wear a solid black shirt underneath their green apron. The shirts may have short or long sleeves, but cannot be sleeveless or reveal midriffs.
Workers in California, Colorado and Illinois are suing the company, claiming that the policy change violates state laws because it doesn’t reimburse employees for expenses incurred from purchasing new uniform items.
California, Colorado, and Illinois state laws require Starbucks to reimburse baristas for expenses incurred to comply with the new dress code, attorneys representing the plaintiffs said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY.
