photo by Matthew Nemeth

Starbucks is clamping down on self-expression – sort of.  

Recently the wildly successful coffee chain has implemented a revamped dress code for its employees.  Baristas are now allowed to wear black denim, small nose studs and show off their tattoos – in good taste. On the negative side of the revamp, unnaturally colored hair, nail polish, watches, bracelets and engagement rings are no longer permitted while on the clock. 

To be fair, Starbucks did not ban engagement rings specifically, despite what the Internet has to say. They are no longer allowing any rings with stones in them. The dress code changes have caused somewhat of an uproar on the Internet, and according to KOMO News, employees even started a petition to change the jewelry restrictions. 

It would be preposterous to imply that Starbucks has something against those engaged to be married, though the recent ban on engagement rings has caused some confusion on Starbucks’ stance on creativity and personal expression.  Colored hair, engagement rings and painted nails are all ways of expressing yourself and making a statement about who you are without verbally saying anything.

Taking these forms of expression away from employees can take away their feeling of self and may turn prospective employees and customers away from working and doing business at Starbucks. 

The recent bans in dress code were made to comply with food service standards Starbucks previously failed to meet.  However, should a coffee chain with limited food products that are not made by the employees, but heated up, be held to the same standards as an establishment that prepares its food?

Professionalism in the workplace is important, but at a coffee shop we are not looking for the same level of professionalism we are looking for at a five-star restaurant. We expect our baristas to be wearing their jewelry and coloring their hair as they please in addition to their standard hats and green aprons. 

Starbucks is just now deciding to fall into compliance with these food service standards, but until now the rings, wrist wear, hair colors and nail polish didn’t seem to be hindering the performance of its employees or the loyalty of their customers. 

Engagement rings are definitely at the center of this controversy. They are not just a simple piece of jewelry. They are symbols of love and commitment that many people feel uncomfortable taking off and being without once they’ve become accustomed to it. 

Marina Pilibosian, CEO of Birmingham Jewelry in Sterling Heights, MI is taking a positive approach to the recent engagement ring ban. Without putting down Starbucks, Pilibosian is offering a solution. 

Pilibosian and Birmingham Jewelry are offering free – stone-less – engagement bands to all Starbucks baristas affected by the new dress code changes.

Unfortunately for engaged and married baristas outside of Sterling Heights, they have to give up their rings while on the clock.

The banning of certain jewelry worn on your hands can seem understandable, especially because Starbucks employees are preparing drinks all day with their hands. 

However, no longer allowing unnatural hair colors in the work place doesn’t seem to make sense, especially as Starbucks begins to allow tattoos.  They are both forms of expression – only tattoos have a lot of more room to be offensive to customers and other employees. 

Starbucks employees should be able to continue expressing themselves how they please, from the color of their hair, the jewelry they opt to wear and the ink on their skin. Until these appearance modifications begin to affect the quality of the products, service and business, I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed.