Starbucks Corp's(NASDAQ:SBUX, ETR:SRB) new chief executive Brian Niccol has faced an online barrage after it emerged he would commute nearly 1,000 miles via private jet to his new job.
Ahead of his start date at the coffee chain on September 9, critics slammed Niccol’s plans to fly between his California home and the firm's Seattle headquarters rather than relocate.
“Is this corporate hypocrisy at its peak,” one user on social media X commented, “Starbucks introducing paper straws and cups while pushing towards sustainability?”
Another said: “Hope we don't see too many new 'sustainability' and 'environment' related ads from Starbucks.”
Niccol’s job offer stated he would “not be required” to relocate, but instead agreed to commute from his California residence in Newport Beach.
He would be eligible to use company aircraft to do so, with Starbucks’ hybrid policy meaning employees have to work in the office at least three days a week.
According to a CNBC-cited spokesperson, Niccol will be expected in the office in line with Starbucks’ three-day-a-week policy.
“Brian’s primary office and a majority of his time will be spent in our Seattle Support Center or out visiting partners and customers,” they added, “his schedule will exceed the hybrid work guidelines and workplace expectations we have for all partners”.
It comes after a string of reports in recent years have found the wealthiest people in the world far outstrip the poorest when it comes to carbon emissions.
A 2023 Oxfam report found the richest 1% of humanity accounted for more carbon emissions than the poorest 66% in 2019, partially due to the use of private jets.
Niccol will start next month, replacing Laxman Narasimhan as the chain grapples with flagging sales.