Starbucks Reinforces In-Office Work Policy Amidst Sales Decline

Sun Dec 28 2025 05:53:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Starbucks mandates corporate employees to work in-office four days a week, aiming to enhance collaboration and productivity.

Starbucks has announced a new policy requiring its corporate staff to be present in the office for four days each week, a decision driven by a need for stronger human connection and productivity improvements as the firm faces financial challenges.

In a move that signals a shift back to traditional office routines, Starbucks has announced that corporate employees across the U.S. and Canada must report to the office four days a week, beginning in October. This updated policy is a departure from the previous requirement of three in-office days and introduces a more stringent measure aimed at fostering collaboration as the company struggles with falling sales.

Under the new policy, employees who are unwilling or unable to comply will be offered a one-time payout to leave the company. Brian Niccol, who recently took over as CEO, emphasized the importance of this decision in a company blog, stating that Starbucks's identity is built on strong human connections. "Given the scale of the turnaround ahead, we believe this is the right path for Starbucks," he remarked, acknowledging that not everyone may agree with the directive.

The company is also requiring certain managerial staff to relocate to its headquarters in Seattle, or to its Toronto office, as part of this initiative. Interestingly, Niccol's contract did not mandate his relocation despite his subsequent purchase of a home in Seattle.

The decision comes amidst broader trends in the corporate world, as several companies like Amazon and JP Morgan also tighten their remote work policies. Research indicates stability in working practices over recent years; around a third of U.S. employees capable of remote work have been called back to the office full-time, while 45% now operate under hybrid models. Starbucks has previously taken steps to revitalize its offerings, including menu changes and reestablishing policies that restrict customer access to facilities without a purchase. Earlier this year, the company also cut down its workforce by 1,100 positions in an effort to streamline operations and increase efficiency.