Starbucks’ new dress code allows tattoos in ‘cool’ PR move

The coffee chain recently announced its new dress code, prompted by employees petitioning for a change. Will other brands follow suit?

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The baristas at your corner Starbucks will soon have permission to sport their tattoos and a few piercings while whipping up your triple-venti-soy-extra foam-latte.

The company announced a new dress code Thursday with an internal email. The code allows visible tattoos that aren’t on the face or throat, as long as they don’t include lewd depictions or swear words.

The dress code also now deems ear piercings (including small gauges), nose studs, black jeans, scarves, and ties acceptable accessories to the iconic green apron. The change came after 25-year-old employee Kristie Williams created a Coworker.org petition asking the Seattle-based coffee behemoth to allow employees to show off their ink.

“Being able to show off our tattoos lets us connect with our customers in more ways than we already do,” Williams said in the petition.

With more than 25,000 signatures, the petition couldn’t be ignored. However, Starbucks is not the only company accepting tattoos in the workplace: Petsmart and Peet’s Coffee & Tea have also approved a more chill dress code.

Will more join the trend?

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