Starbucks is currently looking on the possibility of relaxing or changing its tattoo policy. It is also reviewing its entire dress code. This is confirmed by the company spokesman, Zack Hutson, in his email to USA Today.
The issue on employee tattoos began when Kristie Williams, a Starbucks barista from Atlanta, filed an online petition at Coworker.org to allow them to have visible tattoos. As of Sept. 16, it has already garnered 23,883 signatures, a significant number of which came from baristas themselves. Part of the petition says: "Change the dress code to allow visible tattoos. I believe tattoos are a simple form of self expression and as long as they aren't offensive or explicit, I think we should be able to show off our artwork proudly."
In another interview with Hutson, he said that the Starbucks has started the review on its tattoo policy and the employee dress code even before this online petition.
"We are always actively engaged in discussion with our partners to determine how to make their Starbucks experience better and more valuable to them. We know the dress code and tattoo policy is important to them so we are taking a fresh look at it," he told SF Gate.
Aside from these two concerns, Starbucks is also taking a closer look on its 130,000 baristas' irregular schedules. Cliff Burrows, Group President for the U.S., America and Teavana, wrote an email to baristas about the company's intention to address concerns to its so-called 'clopening' practice, where employees who close the store late at night need to return after a few hours to reopen.
Burrows said Starbucks will upgrade its scheduling software so those who work on closing shifts do not have to be scheduled the next day to do opening shifts.
"We must do all we can to deliver the best experience for our [staffers] because they work so hard to deliver the best experience for our customers. When those aims are out of alignment with one another, it's our responsibility as leaders to address these disparities and fix them - quickly, efficiently, and permanently," said Burrows.
