Starbucks baristas, leave your rings at home.
Coffee giant Starbucks has adopted a new dress code policy banning its employees from wearing rings with stones, but tattoos and nose studs are now OK.
“Wearing a ring is okay if it’s a plain band, no stones,” it says on the dress code infographic. But what about the hundreds of thousands of engaged and married women who do sport rings with precious gems?
As to be expected, customers and baristas alike have taken to Twitter to express their thoughts on the new policy.
According to Seattle KOMO News, employees have started an online petition asking the company to reverse its decision.
In response to waves of criticism via broadcast television and social media, Starbucks defended the new jewelry rule as a sanitation issue:
"Starbucks new jewelry guidelines are based on the FDA Model Food Code that state and local jurisdictions follow," Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement. "We've also been working with Registered Environmental Health Specialists who are former FDA health inspectors to ensure these changes align with food safety rules."
Sure, no one wants a rock of some sort falling into their coffee or food, but is that a real concern? And what ever happened to freedom of expression? Last time I checked, wedding rings were a symbol of commitment.
Even the Washington Health Department assured the petition organizer herself that baristas wearing rings with stones pose no risk.
"I went to the Washington State Food & Beverage Workers Manual. It states: While preparing food, food workers must remove watches, rings, bracelets, and all other jewelry on the arms or hands. Exception: Wedding rings may be worn if they are covered with a glove when the food worker is preparing food.
"I called the health department for clarification, and they agreed that they do not see pouring drinks and serving pastries and sandwiches as ‘preparing food.' They assured me that we do not pose a risk."
So what's the real issue here?