Rumor
Starbucks has been accused that they are banning employees from supporting Black Lives Matter, especially after the company has publicly endorsed the movement.
Rating
Mostly True
What’s True
The company has sent an internal memo explaining that wearing Black Lives Matter pins or shirts would violate their dress code policy because it falls under the “political, religious, or personal issue” category.
Note
Since then, the ban is no longer valid after the massive outrage that they have faced.
Origin
After George Floyd’s death, as riots have started to happen all over America, Starbucks has publicly announced its support for the black community.[1]
A few days later, an internal memo has been leaked, telling employees not to wear clothes that show support for Black Lives Matter, because it is against the company dress policies.[2]
The memo has included the following part:
“Partners are not permitted to wear buttons or pins that advocate a political, religious, or personal issue.”
A company spokesperson has confirmed the memo’s authenticity to BuzzFeed News[3] and said that such messages are prohibited “to create a safe and welcoming” environment at Starbucks locations.
Many have criticized Starbucks as they actively support the LGBTQ+ community, which they argued could fall in the same category.
The spokesperson has also added the following:
“We respect all of our partners’ opinions and beliefs, and encourage them to bring their whole selves to work while adhering to our dress code policy,”
Backlash and their response
After massive public outrage, and a handful of petitions[4], they have reversed their decision and now allows baristas to voice their support, in fact, they encourage them.
The company’s CEO Kevin Johnson has announced that they are sending Pro-BLM shirts to 250,000+ employees in U.S. and Canada.[5]
References
[2] https://twitter.com/teespiritsodope/status/1270105489540513792
[4] https://www.change.org/p/starbucks-allow-starbucks-baristas-to-wear-black-lives-matter
[5] https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/standing-together-against-racial-injustice/
Starbucks image via Wikimedia.