Crumbl Cookies, known for its rapidly expanding chain and popular weekly cookie flavors, is facing employee pushback regarding recent changes to its uniform policy. Employees at a franchise in south-eastern Wisconsin are petitioning against a corporate decision to enforce a stricter dress code, a move that is causing significant concern among staff, particularly its predominantly female workforce.
Previously, employees at this franchise enjoyed a more relaxed uniform policy, allowing piercings, jewelry, visible tattoos, and plain black leggings as uniform options. This flexibility fostered a comfortable and inclusive work environment. However, as the franchise plans to expand, corporate management has announced a crackdown on these freedoms, stating that further expansion is contingent on all employees adhering to a more rigid dress code. This decision not only threatens to reverse the existing inclusive culture but also carries potential disciplinary actions, including fines for General Managers and termination for employees who do not comply with the new regulations regarding personal expression.
The core of the issue lies in the policy’s stance on piercings and tattoos. Employees are being told to remove piercings, with no exceptions for small studs or transparent placeholders, regardless of how discreet they may be. This is particularly troubling for employees who have made permanent body modifications, as removal would necessitate irreversible procedures. The petition argues that this policy is not only outdated but also disproportionately affects female employees, who constitute the vast majority of the workforce at the Pleasant Prairie location mentioned in the petition, with less than ten male employees.
Many employees express deep concern, facing the ultimatum of either altering their personal appearance by removing piercings they have invested in or potentially losing their jobs. The petition emphasizes that corporate leadership has the authority to reconsider and revise these policies but has so far chosen not to. The appeal is a call for public support, urging customers and the wider community to stand with Crumbl employees in hopes that corporate will recognize the negative impact of these changes and reconsider a policy that threatens to alienate dedicated staff and undermine the positive work environment that has been established. The petition aims to prevent Crumbl from becoming “just another corporation” by prioritizing employee well-being and individuality over a rigid and arguably unnecessary dress code.
