There is a new hybrid work arrangement for Brian Niccol, the former Chipotle CEO who is now the leader of Starbucks.
The arrangement doesn’t require Niccol to be based at the company’s Seattle headquarters.
They created a new remote office for him in Newport Beach, California, where he currently resides.
The coffee giant is taking some heat for this decision because the Seattle HQ will still be Niccol’s primary office.
He is still required to follow the company’s hybrid work policy, which went into effect last year. It mandates corporate employees to be in the office three days per week.
The result? Niccol will commute on a corporate jet from Southern California to Seattle, around 1,000 miles each way.
People are bringing attention to the climate impact of this decision.
“When the CEO is commuting 1,000 miles by private jet, it’s tough to keep a straight face around your company’s sustainability goals,” people worte.
Starbucks set a goal in 2020 to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% within a decade.
However, if Niccol commuted once a week on Starbucks’ jet, it would emit 1,000 tons of CO2 annually.
That´s more than 60 times the annual emissions from the average American.
It’s not clear how often Niccol will fly between Southern California to Seattle. Niccol plans to have a home in Seattle.
Other critics called out the special work arrangement and the impact on other employees.
Starbucks’ stock was up more than 20% following the announcement of Niccol’s new role. He starts his role September 9.
