Starbucks will offer employees a voluntary leave of absence program!
This is huge news for workers affected by reduced work schedules as the coffee chain slowly reopens store amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Employees who choose to enter the program will have health care premiums covered in full through September 30th, 2020. The company announced the huge news via an open letter on their website last week.
The new policy aims at supporting team members affected by the novel coronavirus store closures and subsequent reopening. CEO Kevin Johnson had previously warned that many stores “will not require the same level of staffing” as they did before to the pandemic.
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Workers can choose to opt-in to this COVID-19 related policy and go on unpaid leave through the fall, Starbucks Executive Vice President Rossann Williams said in a letter that was posted to the company's website.
Through the program they will keep access to their existing benefits and have their premiums paid in full by the company, and will also be free to, “explore any COVID-19 federal and state unemployment compensation,” which includes $600 in weekly assistance under the CARES Act.
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“I know some partners who are facing reduced hours may prefer to take this opportunity to pursue a different path outside Starbucks, and we are considering how to best support and care for these partners as well,” Williams stated in the letter.
In case you missed it, Starbucks has reopened about 85% of its US locations, some with modified operations, this month after weeks of limited operation (mainly at drive-thru locations) during the outbreak.
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During the crisis, the company offered a 30-day paid leave program for workers who were not comfortable coming into work amid the viral pandemic. We applaud Starbucks for their commitment to workers' safety throughout this crisis!
