Newly appointed Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is not expected to relocate to Seattle to work from the company’s headquarters. Instead, Niccol will be allowed use of the company jet to shuttle between his California residence and his Seattle office three times a week, according to his offer letter that was made public in an SEC filing last week.
The revelation is being called a stunning example of the hypocrisy of large corporations when it comes to climate change - especially in light of the fact that Starbucks is now offering paper straws in stores worldwide in a bid to eliminate single-use plastic.
What Brian Niccol’s offer letter says
Niccol, 50, will be paid a base salary of $1.6 million annually as CEO of Starbucks, according to his offer letter.
The letter also states that he will not be required to relocate to the company’s headquarters, currently in Seattle, Washington. Instead, he must agree to commute from his “residence to the company’s headquarters (and engage in other business travel) as is required to perform his duties and responsibilities.”
According to CNBC, this is a distance of 1,000 miles or roughly 1,600 km.
{{/usCountry}}According to CNBC, this is a distance of 1,000 miles or roughly 1,600 km.
{{/usCountry}}During his time with Starbucks, Brian Niccol will also be eligible to use the company aircraft for travel between his city of residence and the company’s headquarters in Seattle.
A company spokesperson told CNBC that Niccol will be expected to work from the Seattle office at least three times a week as per Starbucks’ hybrid work policy.
“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,” the spokesperson added. “His schedule will exceed the hybrid work guidelines and workplace expectations we have for all partners.”
Outrage on social media
The news of Niccol’s supercommute plan elicited shocked and critical reactions on social media.
Reacting to the news, one X user said: “You better stop giving paper lids and straws. That would be hypocritical.”
“We have to drink from paper straws, while their CEO commutes via private jets,” another said.
“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,” an X user opined.
Some called it a PR disaster in the making, while others called on Starbucks to revise the terms of the offer letter.