Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) corporate employees will have to come in the office four days a week starting in October, the coffee chain said on Monday as it continues its turnaround plan.
The company’s CEO, Brian Niccol, said in a note to staff that its support partners and people managers will be required to work from office minimum four days a week, with the change being applied to its Seattle and Toronto Support Centers as well as North America regional offices.
“We also know you sometimes need to step out or leave early to attend an event at your kid’s school, see the doctor, or handle other personal matters. That’s expected and completely okay. But the default for support partners should be working in person, in a Starbucks office, alongside your team and cross-functional partners,” Niccol said.
However, for employees who decide to leave Starbucks instead of coming to the office for an additional day, the Seattle-based company said it is offering a “one-time voluntary exit program with a cash payment.”
“We understand not everyone will agree with this approach,” Niccol said, adding that the “updated in-office culture may not work for everyone.”
The changes come as Starbucks is trying to improve sales and turn the company’s corporate culture under the leadership of Niccol.
Niccol, who took the reins last year, said he wants Starbucks stores to be a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather and where the company serves the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, leading to a number of changes in policies.
Earlier this year, Niccol’s initiatives included getting vice presidents and team leaders back into the office at least three days a week to streamline problem-solving and eliminate the need for numerous and time-consuming meetings.