Starbucks Warns Staff to Return to Office 3 Days a Week or Get Fired

Starbucks has recently made headlines with its decision to implement a hybrid work policy for its corporate staff starting in January 2025. The company has taken Amazon as an example by requiring employees to come to the office at least three days a week. Failure to comply with this policy could result in serious consequences, including termination.

The new policy

The policy specifies employees to be in the office three times a week. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, an internal memo sent to employees by the company revealed that an "accountability process" will begin from January 2025 for those violating this rule.

According to the memo, Starbucks will be implementing a “standardised process” to ensure that employees adhere to the new return-to-office policy. The memo explicitly states that consequences for non-compliance include "up to, and including, separation." This marks a significant escalation in the enforcement of the company's hybrid work policy.

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The decision to enforce a return-to-office policy contrasts with CEO Brian Niccol's previous statements about workplace flexibility. Just a month earlier, Niccol had encouraged employees to work wherever they felt most productive, emphasizing the importance of getting the job done regardless of location. However, the recent memo indicates a shift towards prioritizing in-person collaboration at the office.

Despite the strict enforcement of the return-to-office policy, Starbucks has made accommodations for employees who may have valid reasons for not being able to come into the office. Workers can request exemptions based on physical, mental, sensory impairment, or other disabilities. The company has also stated that it will support leaders in holding their teams accountable to the hybrid work policy.

Starbucks CEO adhering to the new rule

Meanwhile, CEO Brian Niccol himself adheres to the company's hybrid work policy by commuting 1,600 kilometers between his home in California and Starbucks' headquarters in Seattle.  However, the company provides him with a corporate jet to complete his duties from the Seattle office at least three days a week.

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