
Starbucks’ new bathroom policy requiring purchases sparks debate and employee concerns.
Remember the days when the world was more civilized and we didn’t have to worry about bathrooms being used by homeless people and drug addicts?
At a Glance
- Starbucks revises policy to restrict bathroom access to paying customers
- Change reverses 2018 open-door policy implemented after racial incident
- New policy aims to enhance safety and create inviting environments
- Employees express concerns about enforcing the new rules
- Policy shift contradicts CEO’s vision of Starbucks as a “third place” for relaxation
Starbucks Implements New “Coffeehouse Code of Conduct”
In a significant policy shift, Starbucks has revised its “Coffeehouse Code of Conduct,” now requiring patrons to make purchases to use bathrooms or receive free water. This change, overturning a 2018 policy that allowed open access, aims to enhance safety and create a more inviting environment for paying customers. The new guidelines were introduced to staff in three-hour meetings, signaling the company’s commitment to this strategic shift.
The policy change has sparked mixed reactions among customers and employees alike. While some support Starbucks’ decision, others feel it contradicts the company’s community-oriented image. The National Retail Federation backs businesses’ rights to set restroom policies in compliance with laws, but the American Restroom Association highlights the inconsistency in such policies across the country.
Despite the company’s intentions, Starbucks employees, referred to as “partners,” have voiced concerns about the feasibility of enforcing these new rules. They highlight potential conflicts with customers and the difficulty of implementing these policies, particularly in stores with frequent incidents. Some partners worry about maintaining an inclusive and warm atmosphere conducive to community engagement while adhering to the new guidelines.
“We know there will be times when a customer needs to use the restroom before they’ve made a purchase, or maybe uses the restroom and then decides against making a purchase, and of course that is OK,” Starbucks Spokeswoman Jaci Anderson said.
The policy change at Starbucks brings attention to a larger issue: the lack of public restroom facilities in the United States. This shortage increases pressure on private businesses to provide access, a responsibility that not all are equipped or willing to handle. The inconsistency in restroom policies across different states, cities, and counties further complicates the matter.
As Starbucks implements this policy change, customer reactions are bound to continue to vary. Some patrons understand the company’s position, while others feel it goes against the brand’s inclusive image. The policy’s success may depend on how effectively and compassionately it is implemented across different locations.
“I do think it’s up to Starbucks to set the atmosphere in their stores,” Paul Skinner, 76, a retired firefighter in Daytona Beach, Florida, told The Associated Press.
“If they’ve decided that their paying customers are going to be better served by limiting restroom access, it doesn’t make me mad. I’m not going to stop going there.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if we still lived in a high trust society where using the bathroom was easy, and we didn’t have to worry about people abusing the kindness and hospitality of businesses with public facilities?