8 Controversial Rules Starbucks Employees Have to Follow — Eat This Not That

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By Ghuman

Introduction

Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the world, and its employees are expected to adhere to a strict set of rules. While some of these rules are necessary for the safety and security of customers and employees, others have been met with controversy. From dress codes to customer service expectations, here are 8 controversial rules Starbucks employees have to follow.

8 Controversial Rules Starbucks Employees Have to Follow

Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the world, and it’s no surprise that they have some strict rules for their employees. While some of these rules are necessary for the safety and security of customers and employees, others have been met with controversy. Here are 8 controversial rules Starbucks employees have to follow.

1. No Visible Tattoos

Starbucks has a strict policy when it comes to tattoos. Employees are not allowed to have any visible tattoos while on the job. This means that any tattoos must be covered up with clothing or makeup. This rule has been met with criticism from some employees who feel that it is unfair to be judged based on their appearance.

2. No Political Statements

Starbucks has a strict policy when it comes to political statements. Employees are not allowed to make any political statements while on the job. This includes wearing clothing or accessories with political messages, or making any statements about political issues. This rule has been met with criticism from some employees who feel that it is unfair to be silenced on important issues.

3. No Cell Phones

Starbucks has a strict policy when it comes to cell phones. Employees are not allowed to use their cell phones while on the job. This includes talking on the phone, texting, or using social media. This rule has been met with criticism from some employees who feel that it is unfair to be disconnected from their friends and family while at work.

4. No Eating or Drinking on the Job

Starbucks has a strict policy when it comes to eating and drinking on the job. Employees are not allowed to eat or drink while on the job. This includes food and drinks from outside sources. This rule has been met with criticism from some employees who feel that it is unfair to be denied the opportunity to enjoy a snack or beverage while at work.

5. No Personal Conversations

Starbucks has a strict policy when it comes to personal conversations. Employees are not allowed to engage in any personal conversations while on the job. This includes talking about personal issues, gossiping, or discussing any topics that are not related to work. This rule has been met with criticism from some employees who feel that it is unfair to be denied the opportunity to socialize with their coworkers.

6. No Social Media Posts

Starbucks has a strict policy when it comes to social media posts. Employees are not allowed to post anything on social media while on the job. This includes posts about work, customers, or any other topics related to Starbucks. This rule has been met with criticism from some employees who feel that it is unfair to be denied the opportunity to express themselves on social media.

7. No Unauthorized Discounts

Starbucks has a strict policy when it comes to unauthorized discounts. Employees are not allowed to give any discounts to customers without authorization from a manager. This rule has been met with criticism from some employees who feel that it is unfair to be denied the opportunity to show appreciation to customers.

8. No Unauthorized Breaks

Starbucks has a strict policy when it comes to unauthorized breaks. Employees are not allowed to take any breaks without authorization from a manager. This rule has been met with criticism from some employees who feel that it is unfair to be denied the opportunity to take a break when needed.

These 8 controversial rules Starbucks employees have to follow have been met with criticism from some employees. While some of these rules are necessary for the safety and security of customers and employees, others have been seen as unfair and restrictive. It is important for employers to consider the needs of their employees when creating policies.

A Starbucks coffee shop can be a busy place, with dozens of complicated orders every few minutes during the morning or lunch rush and dozens of menu items that must be prepared with precision to keep the customers happy. And with a stunning 15,430 Starbucks spread across America as of 2022, that’s a lot of orders for a lot of customers.

So it makes sense that Starbucks workers have a number of rules they have to follow to keep such a fast-paced juggernaut of a company on the rails. But some of the specific rules Starbucks employees follow will surprise and confuse you nonetheless. One of the harshest policies the company places on its workers? An almost exclusion-free requirement to say yes to customers, even though Starbucks customers can be a notoriously rude and demanding lot.

Here are eight controversial rules Starbucks employees must follow.

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wearing bright colors
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Beyond the apron and, in some places, a hat or visor, Starbucks employees don’t technically have a uniform. But there is a dress code. The staff are told to wear shirts in the “subdued” color range like gray, black, white, or dark blue. At least the company reversed course on barring all displays of political sentiments, allowing BLM shirts and pins as of mid-2020, reported The New York Times.

hair colored
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Starbucks workers cannot come to work with their hair dyed one color one day and another the next. While colorful hair is permitted, temporary hair dying (or streaking or frosting) is not, according to a Starbucks Dress Code Lookbook. While this policy may seem limiting, it is more about food safety than controlling expression.

employee on bar
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While Starbucks workers are on the clock, they are to remain in their spot, according to Worldation. Baristas are not allowed to move from one set of duties to another during a given shift, so even if one station is suddenly very busy while another is slow, they are not supposed to change activities to help out.

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According to Business Insider, Starbucks employees must strictly enforce store hours. They are not allowed to let anyone enter the store even a minute before its posted opening hours and they must kick everyone out the minute the store closes for the day.

facial piercing
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If you like to express yourself through piercings, you’d better feel expressed enough with a maximum of two earrings per ear and a nose stud, according to Yahoo! Any other piercings must be removed or covered up while the worker is at the shop. Rings (other than one wedding band) and bracelets are also banned. And if you have facial or neck tattoos, you won’t be getting a job as a Starbucks barista, per the rules laid out in a company lookbook.

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Starbucks workers are obliged never to say no to a customer even when said customer is making ludicrous demands, which happens all the time, reports Worldation. So when someone demands a 10-step customization or asks for a made-up drink from the secret menu, the worker just has to do their best to accommodate the person even if the demands are almost impossible to meet.

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starbucks refreshers
Starbucks / Facebook

Starbucks baristas are supposed to follow a very specific formula for preparing mixed drinks like a Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Starbucks Refresher Beverage, and that formula involves shaking the drink no fewer than 10 times to mix it. Though in practice, most such drinks will get many fewer shakes than 10.

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While limiting, it makes sense that Starbucks employees are forbidden from investing in competing companies. If a worker owned a few hundred shares of Peet’s Coffee or Dutch Bros, for example, he or she may be more interested in the success of these other chains over Starbucks’ performance. But per the Starbucks Standards of Business Conduct handbook, even a worker’s close relatives are forbidden from “making a substantial direct investment in such a firm” without the employee risking termination.

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Steven John

Steven John is a freelancer writer for Eat This, Not That! based just outside New York City. Read more

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