Letter to Starbucks partners: Vaccines, testing and supporting you in next phase of COVID-19

I recognize that partners have a wide spectrum of views on vaccinations, much like the rest of the country. I also know we all want the best for every Starbucks partner. My responsibility, and that of every leader, is to do whatever we can to help keep you safe and to create the safest work environment possible, wrote Starbucks chief operating officer John Culver.

Dear partners,

Since we first began navigating COVID-19, we have been transparent with you about the steps we are taking to care for your health and safety. As we look ahead, you have our commitment that we will continue to make decisions through the lens of our three guiding principles:

1. Prioritizing the health and well-being of our partners and customers
2. Supporting health and government officials as they work to mitigate the spread of this virus
3. Showing up in positive and responsible ways to serve our communities

As I watch the news of the Omicron variant, which is now dominant in the U.S. and spreading faster than any variant yet, it’s concerning to see this new variant has pushed daily COVID-19 case counts higher than the Delta wave at its peak. Although there are breakthrough cases, public health and medical experts say that people who are vaccinated will likely experience mild symptoms, while those not vaccinated are significantly more likely to become seriously ill, be hospitalized or die. I recognize that partners have a wide spectrum of views on vaccinations, much like the rest of the country. I also know we all want the best for every Starbucks partner. My responsibility, and that of every leader, is to do whatever we can to help keep you safe and to create the safest work environment possible.

The vaccine is the best option we have, by far, when it comes to staying safe and slowing the spread of COVID-19. Last week a federal appeals court ruled the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) emergency temporary standard (ETS) on COVID-19 vaccination and testing could continue. As a result, OSHA has now set a new compliance date of Feb. 9, 2022 for large employers, including Starbucks, to implement and enforce a policy that requires employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing and wear a facial covering. In continuing our commitment to prioritizing partner care and safety through COVID-19, this means:=

• We strongly encourage all U.S. partners to get fully vaccinated by Feb. 9. Fully vaccinated means both shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single-shot J&J vaccine.

• If you are not fully vaccinated, you can choose weekly testing starting Feb. 9. On a weekly basis, partners will need to present a negative COVID-19 test to work in a Starbucks location, including a store, office, plant or distribution center. Partners are responsible for taking an OSHA approved test and submitting their test results prior to working each week.

Here is how we will navigate this next phase together in compliance with the ETS:

Our First Step: Disclosure

To help manage this process, all U.S. partners need to disclose their vaccination status by Jan. 10. This is a requirement under the ETS, and disclosing your status is the only way we can know who needs to test or not. There are many options, including if you are unvaccinated for religious, medical or personal reasons. Partners who decline to disclose or choose not to answer will be treated as unvaccinated.

Making the Right Plan, for Right Now

As with every decision throughout this pandemic, we first looked at the facts, science and public health guidance. We also participated in listening sessions with partners, as well as read your comments on Workplace and the Partner Hub on this topic. To better understand the experience for partners, we went as far as to pilot a COVID-19 testing option in a locally mandated market. And in trying to explore all possibilities for partners, it became clear there is no “perfect” option, and every scenario has its own complexities. I believe the plan that we’ve landed on is ultimately the right plan, for right now. This is an important step we can take to help more partners get vaccinated, limit the spread of COVID-19, and create choices that partners can own based on what’s best for them. More information will be available in early January to support you in making the best choice and the best plan for yourself.

As we move forward, I ask that we all listen openly and connect with one another with respect and kindness. If vaccination rates rise and community spread slows, we will adapt accordingly. But if things get worse, we may have to consider additional measures. For now, my hope is that we will all do our part to protect one another. That means getting vaccinated if you can, reinforcing our safety protocols, and as always, being flexible with operations, where needed. In the coming weeks, we will host partner forums to share additional information with you, as well as provide an opportunity for you to ask questions.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to working together to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that Starbucks continues to be a safe place for all of us and the communities we serve.

With respect and gratitude,
John