Good news if you’re an expectant mother and work for Starbucks. The national coffee chain is expanding its paid maternity leave policies for birth mothers. Starbucks’ new policies, which go into effect on October 1st, 2017, will allow birth mothers working as store partners and non-store partners to take leave at 100 percent of their wages.
Non-store partners, such as district managers, field partners and employees working at Starbucks’ corporate offices can take up to 18 weeks of paid leave. Store partners, such as baristas, can take up to six weeks of paid leave. Prior to these changes, Starbucks offered six weeks of paid leave for birth mothers, but only at 67 percent of pay.
Why Are Businesses Offering Generous Paid Maternity Leave Policies?
While federal law does not require employers to provide paid maternity or paternity leave, many businesses are filling in the gap. Businesses across the country, and especially within the tech industry, are creating generous paid parental leave policies to attract and retain talented employees. If one business sets up paid parental leave policies, that company’s competitors may follow suit to keep talented employees from jumping ship.
Although companies may pass their own policies, California laws on paid parental leave have also become much more generous. California recently passed a law that will allow some new mothers and fathers to receive a portion of their wages for up to six weeks. However, the law does not go into effect until 2018 and will not affect workers employed by small businesses.
We encourage you to read our other blog posts detailing your parental leave rights in California.