
Starbucks Orders Remote Workers to Return to Headquarters: Major Changes Ahead!
2025-07-14
Author: Olivia
In a bold move to reshape its workplace culture, Starbucks has announced that some remote employees will be required to return to its headquarters, dramatically increasing the number of in-office days for corporate staff.
In a memo released on Monday, Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol made it clear: starting early October, corporate employees must be in the office four days a week instead of the previously mandated three.
The Seattle-based coffee giant also revealed that all corporate "people leaders" will need to be based in either Seattle or Toronto within the next year. This marks a shift from February’s requirement, which only applied to vice presidents.
Although individual employees under these leaders won’t be mandated to relocate, future job openings and lateral moves will hinge on being based in either Seattle or Toronto, reflecting a stricter policy on where employees can work.
CEO Niccol emphasized the importance of office collaboration, stating, "We do our best work when we’re together. We share ideas more effectively, creatively solve hard problems, and move much faster."
To soften the blow for those not willing to relocate, the company is offering a one-time voluntary exit program, complete with a cash payout.
As the trend of returning to the office gains momentum, many companies, including Amazon and AT&T, have rolled out similar mandates, requiring employees to clock in five days a week. The competition for remote jobs is heating up, making the landscape incredibly tough for job seekers.
Starbucks spokeswoman Lori Torgerson has yet to provide a count of remote employees currently classified as "people leaders," leaving many curious about the workforce dynamics. The company boasts 16,000 corporate support employees globally, encompassing a wide range of roles beyond corporate offices.
Interestingly, when Niccol took the helm of Starbucks last August, he was allowed to set up his base in Newport Beach, California, where the company even provided a corporate jet for his travels to Seattle. Torgerson has since revealed that he has settled into a home in Seattle and is frequently spotted at corporate headquarters.
This major shift by Starbucks signals a growing trend where companies are prioritizing in-person collaboration, a stark contrast to the remote work bubble many employees enjoyed during the pandemic.