Newly appointed Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol will not relocate to Seattle. Instead, he will use the company jet to commute from his California home to the Seattle office three times a week, as detailed in his recent SEC filing.
This decision has sparked criticism, highlighting perceived corporate hypocrisy, particularly in light of Starbucks’ global initiative to eliminate single-use plastics by offering paper straws.
According to Niccol’s offer letter, he will receive an annual base salary of $1.6 million. The letter specifies that while he is not required to relocate, he must travel between his residence and the company’s headquarters in Seattle, a distance of approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles). Niccol will also have access to the company aircraft for these trips.
A Starbucks spokesperson confirmed that Niccol will work from the Seattle office at least three times a week as part of the company’s hybrid work policy. The spokesperson added, “Brian’s primary office and a majority of his time will be spent in our Seattle Support Center or out visiting partners and customers in our stores, roasteries, roasting facilities, and offices around the world.” Niccol’s schedule is expected to exceed the hybrid work guidelines and expectations set for other employees.
The revelation has caused an uproar on social media, with users expressing outrage over the perceived contradiction between Starbucks’ environmental policies and Niccol’s private jet commutes. Reactions include: “You better stop giving paper lids and straws. That would be hypocritical,” and, “Flying a private jet three days a week just to go to work, but Starbucks had the unmitigated gall to tell us to use paper straws. I hate it here.” Some are calling it a PR disaster and urging Starbucks to reconsider the terms of Niccol’s offer.
