Starbucks Mandates Four-Day Office Work for Corporate Staff

Tue Oct 14 2025 23:28:43 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Starbucks enforces a new policy requiring corporate employees to work in-office four days a week, a move against the trend of remote working.

In a bid to enhance productivity and reconnect its workforce, Starbucks has mandated that corporate staff return to the office four days a week beginning in October. This new directive applies to employees in the US and Canada and represents an increase from the previous three-day requirement. Employees opting not to comply with the policy will be offered a one-time financial incentive to leave the company.

CEO Brian Niccol emphasized the decision's importance in overcoming challenges, like declining sales, stating that fostering "human connection" is vital for Starbucks' turnaround plan. Along with the office return policy, certain managers are required to relocate to Seattle (the company’s headquarters) or Toronto. Niccol has made significant changes in his brief tenure to revitalize the company, including a menu overhaul and stricter rules regarding customer purchases for facility use.

Earlier this year, Starbucks also laid off 1,100 staff members. The shift in remote work policies echoes broader trends among corporations, with companies like Amazon and JP Morgan implementing similar measures. Research indicates that while many employees can work remotely, a substantial portion have been required to return to the office full-time, revealing a complex landscape of post-pandemic work dynamics.