Starbucks Expands Paid Parental Leave To 18 Weeks For U.S. Employees

Starbucks is making a significant move to improve employee satisfaction amid ongoing sales declines, announcing it is tripling its paid parental leave for U.S. store employees.

Starting in March 2025, birth parents will receive 18 weeks of fully paid leave, while non-birth parents will receive 12 weeks at full pay, according to their website. This is a substantial increase from the company’s previous offer of six weeks paid and 12 weeks unpaid leave.

The new policy is part of Starbucks’ broader strategy to improve morale and performance after three consecutive quarters of sliding sales. By offering one of the most generous paid parental leave programs in retail, Starbucks hopes to create a more supportive environment for its employees, particularly frontline workers.

In addition to the expanded parental leave, Starbucks is further investing in its workforce by offering a range of benefits to support career growth, financial stability, and education. 

The company aims to fill 90% of its retail leadership roles internally, giving hourly workers more opportunities for advancement. 

Starbucks also continues to fund its College Achievement Plan, covering 100% of tuition for online degrees from Arizona State University, which has helped thousands of partners earn their degrees.

Through these initiatives, Starbucks aims to solidify its position as a top employer in retail. By enhancing benefits and prioritizing employee development, the company seeks to build loyalty, improve performance, and strengthen its business as it adapts to challenging market conditions.