Starbucks Mandates In-office Work as Remote Options Tighten

Starbucks has announced that corporate staff in the US and Canada are required to work in the office four days a week, a shift from the previous three-day attendance rule aimed at enhancing team collaboration amid declining sales.

In a recent ruling, Starbucks has implemented a new policy mandating that corporate employees work onsite for four days each week, effective October. This move marks a departure from the earlier requirement of three days and is indicative of a broader trend where companies are curtailing remote work privileges introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Employees who opt not to adhere to the new in-office requirement will be offered a one-time financial incentive to resign.

Brian Niccol, Starbucks’ CEO, asserted that this shift is necessary for the company to achieve its best potential amid financial challenges, stating, "As a company built on human connection… we believe this is the right path for Starbucks." The policy applies to employees across the US and Canada, with further specifications including mandatory relocations for certain managerial roles to enhance the workforce at Starbucks’ Seattle headquarters or Toronto.

This initiative is part of a broader restructuring plan led by Niccol, who has been with the company for less than a year. His strategy includes updating shop menus, revising open-store policies that allowed non-paying visitors, and downsizing the workforce—evidenced by the recent firing of 1,100 employees.

Other major corporations, such as Amazon and JP Morgan, are also moving towards stricter remote work policies. Research indicates a general stability in working conditions, with around one-third of employees expected to return full-time to the workplace, while approximately 45% are able to enjoy hybrid work arrangements.