So a few days ago I had a little encounter with my DM about my shoes for work. She asked me if I had " dress code shoes", I didn't, being that my store is so slow and laid back, I was wearing converse. So I went to go buy some new shoes. The shoes were all black and covered my whole foot. One day when I walked into my store, I saw my DM sitting in the lobby and I approached her and showed her my shoes. I said, "Look at my new shoes", and she said in a condescending way, " and you're showing me because???". I was annoyed at that point. I told her, " you told me to wear dress code shoes". She then asked if I have read the policy, I said, "yeah, a long time ago, when I first was hired. I don't know if it changed". She then responded, " For the 9 years I worked for Starbucks it has always been the same". So basically she said they have to be all leather sport shoes and nothing else. I have a few days to go and buy some "appropriate" shoes for work. I also use to wear boots, now I feel like I can't.
Dress Code Policy
(17 posts) (15 voices)-
Posted 4 years ago #
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My DM tells us either black or brown, no open toe, no open heel, no athletic shoes. Pretty much basic shoes with a skid resistant bottom. It sounds like the pair you bought and showed her should suffice. They just cannot be athletic material (like canvas converse, etc). On the other hand, my DM lets all of us wear crocs, and cali gear by skechers, as long as they are the skid resistant kind. Super UGLY but super comfy.
Posted 4 years ago # -
They don't have to be leather, they can be pleather, you know that look like leather but aren't.
Sounds like your DM is a real piece of work. Maybe she should march her happy **** out and buy you some with her big fat salary.
I just effing hate these DM's that think they are hot ****.Posted 4 years ago # -
thats ridiculous
especially because 80% of the people who work at my store wear converse
Posted 4 years ago # -
The requirement is that the shoes be able to protect your feet from hot water/coffee and dropped knifes. I used to wear a pair of leather hiking boots, well hiking style but with a slightly lighter weight sole on them.
Crocs have just released a line without the holes for restaurant wear, slightly thicker tops too so they will stop a knife before your foot has too!
Posted 4 years ago # -
The policy I heard was: closed toe and heal, non-slip, and black. I have always worn a pair of black boots with a leather toe and the rest nylon. Most people at my store just wear black tennis shoes and some wear crocs. Is that really something customers are going to see?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Footwear is a health and safety issue rather than an appearence issue
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yeah, FarFlung is right. And yes, crocs actually have 2 styles with no holes (one of them has been around for a few years but are super ugly). :) I love my crocs because they are super comfy and skid resistant. One pair lasts me at least one year. I don't care about my appearance in them (kudos FarFlung) because I care more about my safety. They are so comfy and don't hurt my feet after 8 hours of standing. You can get really cute shirts and pants that fit with dress code, but when it comes to shoes, you just need to get what is comfy and safe.
Posted 4 years ago # -
From the book that people received when they are hired; it says black or brown shoes. No open toes. They don't have to be slip resistant, but my manager says they are 'recommended' but not required. The book says nowhere in it that the shoes must be slip resistant. It also does not specify they material the shoes be made out of.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Honestly, I think its bullsh*t that our managers and people "above" us think that the way we dress affects how much money we make THEM in the stores. I mean, I can see looking nice, but when they basically force you to dress up, cut your hair, tuck in your shirt, wear leather shoes, cover tattoos, ect, but when do they cross the line in controlling you? What ever happened to diversity? It's a load of crap! We see tattoos every single day in all occasions, yet the dictatorship of the company says NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! I'm selling coffee for s**ts sake, not applying for a job at the white house.
Posted 2 years ago # -
What it says is that you can't wear cloth/canvas shoes so basically no UGGS (unless you're bffls with the store manager and then the sky's the limit, not that anything like that happens at my store mind you...)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Lol, why was this thread resurrected? The dress code is the strictest I've ever had to deal with. It really is awful how they say partners come first but they're terrified of us being ourselves without hurting their image. F-ck this company.
Posted 2 years ago # -
At my store dress code is a little more laid back, but only because my SM is about her own appearance. For example, she doesn't make anyone take out their (small and conservative) nose ring because she leaves her's in, and if there is a SMALL tattoo showing on the hand or inner wrist she lets it go. Also, I like wearing high boots to work, and she lets it go so long as they are black or brown...she's even looked the other way on my steel gray boots...all because she is the same way with her shoes, and she sometimes even wears heels. Also, if we are wearing a tuck-in-able tank top or t-shirt under our black or white, we don't have to tuck in because it's not like we are flashing people when we bend over.
....the mellow of my store ends there.
Posted 2 years ago # -
My manager is pretty laid back about our dress code. Too laid back sometimes. I swear, half the shoes some of the girls wear at my store are not only out of dress code, but if hot coffee were to spill on those, we'd have some burnt feet to deal with. I don't even want to imagine what would happen if a coffee urn were to drop on some of those shoes. That I don't care about because it doesn't really affect me if their feet get burned with hot coffee, they were asking for it by wearing those shoes to work, what pisses me off is the girls who bend over and moon the world. Come on, no one wants to see that! Even the guys look uncomfortable when that happens and it's just overall unprofessional.
Posted 2 years ago # -
The salient point here is safety. First and foremost, you want slip-resistant soles. A close second is a shoe that covers the whole foot and protects it from spills. OP, I'm pretty sure your DM is being slightly more restrictive than the actual dress code. Of course, my copy of the dress code, along with the rest of my new hire packet, was taken away from me and given to the next new hire because we're too cheap to get a new packet for each partner, so I admittedly have not reviewed the dress code for several years. But I have heard claims that the dress code for shoes was relaxed a bit a year or two ago.
Here's my personal choice for anyone who's interested: Bates 511 Tactical Boots. They're designed for SWAT team use. They zip up, so I can put them on in about 4 seconds in the morning (and these are full-length boots!). They have reinforced toes, so I never have to worry about anyone dropping a full mocha tub or a server on my feet. The sole has a fiberglass shank, which will be useful if things ever get to the point of my partners booby-trapping the drivethrough area with punji sticks. They are well-insulated and Gore-Tex lined, which means I have never flinched once after having a whole pitcher of steamed milk spilled on my feet (which happens pretty often). I buy them from the local police supply store, which is owned by a local cop. See, I work at a local coffee shop, so me and the local cops are like "this" (anyone got a good emoticon for crossed fingers?), which translates to a hefty discount.
Plus, I'm now instantly friends with any law enforcement or USMC types that walk in the door. They see I wear the same boots they do, so I must be good people!
I call them my Tactical Barista Boots, and they have served me well. In fact, it's about time for a new pair!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Baron, are you a mall ninja?
Posted 2 years ago # -
if they want us to buy all this ****, including leather shoes, they should pay. i mean, seriously you don't make anything at starbucks & going out and buying TWO pairs of new shoes is ridiculous. When I worked there I had to buy new shirts, pants....then they kept complaining about my tattoo, so I had to buy these ridiculous bands for my arm to cover it(its a TINY thing)...because there was no way i was wearing long sleeves in our store when the thermostat is at 85 degrees in the back, and it's locked.
also, the awful hats they give us--couldnt take it anymore. so i bought a visor too. I mean jesus it's one thing if we actually make money at this place & can afford to keep buying stuff that gets destroyed (or isn't "appropriate) but we don't ! Everyone knows the cost of clothing these days ! Its craziness
and yeah, DMs make like what, 80,000 a year? comparitively baristas make like what, 10,000? laughable. What a dumb b*tch. I don't understand why she would have an attitude with you for actually trying. it's ridiculous.
Posted 2 years ago #
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