What is the Starbucks Benefits Eligibility Criteria?

Some Starbucks benefits are accessible right after your appointment. On the other hand, for some perks, the employee must fill in the eligibility criteria. All in all, the Starbucks benefits eligibility criteria differ through the spectrum of offered perks. The Partners should be enrolled in the non-retail for some benefits, while others are only available for retail employees. 

Understanding Starbucks benefits eligibility criteria can become confusing and misleading for many. Thus, I have curated this guide for all those who want to know about the aptitude requirements for Starbucks benefits. 

Starbucks has divided its company into retail and non-retail sectors. The retail sector includes baristas, managers, cooks, dishwashers, and everyone who works at Starbucks outlets. 

In contrast, non-retail employees work in the corporate section of Starbucks. They are highly qualified business specialists who program and regulate company policies. 

Within the retail sector, there are also part-time and full-time employees. Full-time employees work at least 35 to 40 hours a week at Starbucks. 

While part-time employees are usually students and teenagers who work in shifts. The working quota of part-time employees does not go over 22-24 hours a week. 

Now, as you must be wondering, which of these categories is eligible for Starbucks benefits?

Starbucks highly values its employees. The company’s enthusiasm for Partners is visible from the fact that all the employees, whether in retail or non-retail, part-time or full-time, are eligible for benefits. 

As stated earlier, Starbucks’ benefits are accessible to all its Partners. No matter what your designation is, you can apply for these perks. 

However, the extent to which these benefits apply differs among employees. Some perks are more accessible for part-time, whereas few are directed towards full-time Partners. 

Similarly, benefits like long-term disability programs are only available for non-retail employees. While hourly retail employees get salary coverage and paid leave only for short-term disabilities. 

In case of long-term disability, the retail employees will get paid time-offs and some portion of their salary. However, their medical expenditures will only be covered by their health insurance. 

Thus, to make things easier and less complicated, I have divided Starbucks’ benefits into the following sections; 

Full-time retail and non-retail employees get comprehensive benefits right after their appointment. 

In contrast, hourly retail employees must get their appointment letter to become benefits-eligible.

The benefits that Starbucks Partners get upon their appointment include the following; 

• Spotify Premium Subscription
• Complimentary Food and Beverages
• Backcup Care Benefit (BCB)
• Lyra Mental Health Program (Only in the US)
• Starbucks Global Academy Subscription
• Retailer Discounts 
• In-Store Discounts 
• Paid Time Offs (PTOs)
• Commuter Benefits 
• Personal Headspace 
• Caring Unites Partner (CUP) Fund
• Matching Partner Gifts 
• Weekly Tea and Coffee mark-outs

Bean Stock is a savings program by Starbucks. This program’s registration starts every November. Employees working since May 1 without any breaks can apply for this benefit. 

Similarly, the Future Roast 401(k) is a retirement program. It is accessible to all employees aged 18 and older. However, they must be appointed for at least 90 days before they avail of this benefit. 

The S.I.P. (Stock Investment Plan) has an identical structure. All retail and non-retail Partners can apply for this plan. But their appointment record should be a minimum of 90 days. 

The following are the benefits for which the Starbucks benefits eligibility criteria differs from employee to employee. Let’s break down each of these perks for better comprehension. 

• Medical Insurance

Starbucks has an extensive medical insurance program covering X-rays, hospitalization, prescription drugs, lab tests, and emergency care expenditures. 

The plan also provides financial support for homeopathy, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatments. The availability of these plans depends upon the employee’s healthcare proximity and store location.

Starbucks offers six health insurance plans. These include Bronze, Bronze Plus, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Health Savings Plan. For Partners in Hawaii, there is an exclusive Hawaii Health Plan.

Employees can choose any of the programs they desire. However, a part of these insurance subscriptions will be deducted from the employee’s salary. 

Thus, it is essential to choose your medical program wisely. Most Starbucks Partners (retail and non-retail) usually find the Bronze Plan the most accessible and sufficient for their medical needs. 

• Dental and Vision Plans 

Starbucks also offers dental and vision plans that cater to the employee’s medical needs. Again, the proximity of these plans depends upon the employee’s designation and support requirement. 

• Disability Support

Retail and non-retail employees eligible for benefits can also enroll in disability support plans. 

There are two plans offered currently by Starbucks. One is “Short-term Disability Support,” and the other is a “Long-term Disability Support” program. 

All employees can easily access the short-term disability program. It covers employee’s salaries and provides them with paid leaves of up to 26 days. 

However, the long-term disability program is only available for non-retail full-time employees. They get full salary coverage and paid time off. 

In contrast, hourly retail employees only get a portion of their average weekly salary. Their paid leaves are also fewer, and expenditures are covered by insurance, not through the disability fund. 

• Life Insurance 

Starbucks provides a basic life insurance plan to all hourly and salaried employees. The full-time and non-retail employees get insurance coverage equal to their annual base pay. 

On the other hand, hourly retail employees are provided automatic life insurance coverage of up to $ 5,000. The employees can also apply for supplemental packages. 

But for supplemental insurance, the Partners will have to contribute to the insurance coverage and pay out of their pockets. 

Similarly, they can purchase health insurance plans for their families and domestic partners at competitive rates. 

• Reimbursement Accounts 

Starbucks has two reimbursement accounts in which both salaried retail and non-retail employees can participate. It means that this benefit is currently unavailable for hourly retail employees. 

Partners can contribute to these accounts through their pretax payroll. The reimbursement account will prove helpful in covering medical expenses in case of unfortunate events.

The DCRA (Dependent Care Reimbursement Account) allows an annual contribution of about $ 2,000 (for single tax filing) and $ 5,000 (for joint tax filing). Starbucks will pay a portion of the reimbursement premiums. 

The second account is HCRA (Health Care Reimbursement Account). The Partner independently operates it without company support. This account allows annual contributions of anywhere between $100 to $2500. 

• Paid Parental Leaves 

Paid Parental leaves of up to 4 weeks are allowed for all salaried retail and non-retail employees. They get financial assistance as well as their full salaries during this period.

Since the hourly retail employees do not work full-time, they cannot apply for fully paid parental leave. Therefore, they only get ½ of their average weekly salary with a 4-week leave. 

• Family Expansion Reimbursement Assistance 

Starbucks also provides financial assistance to the Partners who want to expand their family via adoption, surrogacy, or artificial insemination. 

The adoption assistance fund reimburses up to $ 4,000 to eligible partners. Similarly, suitable partners also get paid time off of about two weeks to help accommodate the adopted child in a new setting.

• Starbucks College Achievement Plan 

The Starbucks College Achievement Plan is one of the most popular benefits. The prospects of this perk are what makes it so lucrative for Starbucks partners. 

Starbucks has currently partnered with Arizona University. Thanks to this affiliation, Starbucks offers a 100% scholarship in over 40 undergraduate courses. 

However, employees who don’t want to study in Arizona can apply for the Starbucks College Achievement program. Under this plan, they get scholarships and loans. 

If the Partner is in their Freshmen and Sophomore year, they may get a partial scholarship. But if they are in their final years (Junior & Senior), the reimbursement will fully cover their education expenses. 

All Starbucks employees can enroll in these plans, whether in retail or non-retail, part-time or full-time. But they must have worked at least 90 days at Starbucks before they become eligible.

Moreover, the applicants must not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree. Because this plan is exclusively meant to help those Starbucks employees who don’t have sufficient financial means to get an education. 

Full-time retail and non-retail employees get several Starbucks benefits upon their hiring. However, part-time partners must fill in the eligibility criteria that test their commitment to the company. 

The retail hourly employees become eligible for Starbucks benefits after being paid for 240 hours of shifts within 90 days. This 90-day period is a test trial for hourly retail employees. 

Within this period, they are tested and judged for their professional skills. If deemed a suitable candidate, they will receive your enrollment kit and get signed up for the benefits program.

It means that within the first three months of your hiring, you must work up to 240 hours. Only then can you access the company’s “hiring benefits.”

The Shift Supervisor will start counting the working hours right after the appointment. And if the employee completes their 240-hour target within 90 days, they will become eligible for this benefit.

For instance, you were hired on June 1. You worked over 240 hours within the next three months. Then, from October 2, you will be officially enrolled as a Starbucks Partner. Once registered, you will receive your enrollment kit and become benefits eligible.

Compared to other companies, the Starbucks benefits eligibility criteria are pretty lenient. All you must ensure is to work regularly without breaks, especially for the first three months. 

Within a short tenure, you will automatically enroll in the Starbucks benefits program. The company will help you cover the basic expenses of these benefits. 

However, you may need to contribute more than usual if you want a supplemental package. Thus, I suggest using the basic benefits plan for hourly retail employees. 

But those in non-retail positions can easily contribute. Therefore, supplemental packages are perfect for them as they offer more convenience and perks than the primary plans. 

1. What is the holiday pay for Starbucks?

The holiday season is a busy time for coffeehouses like Starbucks. It needs more employees than usual at this period of the year. Thus, during this season, Starbucks pays up to 1.5 times the average salary to hourly retail employees who work extra shifts. 

2. Do Starbucks workers get free drinks?

At Starbucks, employees get free drinks of their choice during their shift timings. Moreover, they also get to have up to seven food items from the Starbucks menu every week. 

3. Does Starbucks pay bonuses?

Starbucks compensates its employees with bonuses and rewards if they work overtime. You can check your bonuses by signing up for the Starbucks app. It will help you track your base pay as well as rewards and bonuses.