Starbucks strengthens partner care with most significant investment in hourly wages

Starbucks Canada adds to its total benefits package with commitment to paying above minimum wage

Starbucks has always believed in being a different kind of company – guided by Our Mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit.  For nearly 50 years, Starbucks has been putting partner (employee) care at the centre of everything it does and has continued to invest in and share its success with partners.  

Recently, the company raised wages for all its hourly partners by at least 5% - the most significant investment in retail hourly pay in Starbucks Canada’s history - and has committed to paying partners above minimum wage across the country.

“Starbucks is proud to recognize the work of the more than 19,000 partners who wear the green apron every day,” says Lori Digulla, senior vice president and general manager for Starbucks Canada.  “This past year has forever changed us. We changed some plans, put other plans on hold and made some very difficult decisions. But what will always remain true at Starbucks is our commitment to sharing our success with our partners.”

The retail wage increases are a significant step in the company’s multi-year aspiration to make meaningful investments in pay and partner care. The changes took effect as of May 31, 2021 and offer at least a 5% increase for all baristas, shift supervisors and café attendants, and increase the starting hourly rate for partners to $0.25 above provincial minimum wages. 

Starbucks has long held the belief that partners deserve competitive wages plus leading benefits that support their total wellbeing.   All partners, even on their first day as a barista, are entitled to many of the supports and perks Starbucks offers such as free coffee or tea each week, free beverages on shift, a 30% partner discount, free Headspace app subscriptions, free access to LifeWorks and more. Additionally,  all Starbucks partners who work a minimum of 20 hour per week are entitled to the company’s vast array of benefits and perks including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, $5,000 mental health benefit, up to $1,000 in tuition reimbursement per year, RRSP Future Savings Plan, shares in the company through annual Beanstock grants and more.

In maintaining the company’s commitment, Starbucks continues to invest in its wide-ranging COVID-19 safety measures and supports  like paid time-off to all store partners to get the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 Sick Day Pay, Vaccine Side Effect Pay and Self-Isolation Pay.