News

Starbucks reviewing tattoo policy, launching training program for at-risk youth

Starbucks is reviewing its policy on visible tattoos and launching a foundation to train at-risk youths to be baristas.

September 11, 2014

In two separate personnel-related actions, Starbucks is reviewing its policy on visible tattoos and launching a foundation to train at-risk youths to be baristas.

Starbucks is reviewing its dress code, in particular its rule of no visible tattoos for its employees, according to USA Today.

Updates to the policy will be announced within the next few weeks.

Kristie Williams, a Starbucks barista in Atlanta, started an online petition requesting the change on Aug. 20. The petition was signed by 12,000 Starbucks employees.

A spokesman for Starbucks told USA Today the policy review was underway before the petition was started.

According to the article:

Image and cultural nuances matter for Starbucks. Widely regarded as one of the most tech- and Millennial-savvy retailers, it hardly wants to alienate a crucial base of 20-something customers, suppliers and potential employees. The company has taken relatively liberal stands on all sorts of controversial issues — from gay marriage to gun bans.

Expanding program for at-risk youth

The Seattle Times also reports that the Schultz Family Foundation and Starbucks are committing $3.4 million to launch training programs for at-risk youth.

The program has its roots in a project started in 2003 by Seattle nonprofits YouthCare, which helps homeless youth, and FareStart, a provider of culinary training to homeless people. Sheri Schultz, wife of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, has been supporting the program, which has graduated more than 500 students, for a decade.

The foundation and Starbucks partnered with YouthBuild USA to replicate the program in Gulfport, Miss., and East Harlem, N.Y. Three more sites will be added next year.