Apparently even millionaire CEOs are sometimes subject to hybrid work policies—but that doesn't mean they have the same experience as the average worker.
As the new CEO of Starbucks , California-based Brian Niccol will be required to work in the Seattle office at least three days a week, but he's not planning on relocating to the Pacific Northwest.
Instead, the company is allowing Niccol, 50, to remain in his Newport Beach home and commute to Starbucks’ headquarters 1,000 miles away on a corporate jet, as CNBC reported.
Niccol also chose to remain in Newport Beach when he was appointed the CEO of Chipotle in 2018, even though the company's offices were in Denver. To accommodate Niccol, Chipotle moved its headquarters to Newport Beach.
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In a Reddit thread , commenters expressed their frustration over the environmental implications of the so-called "supercommute."
"We use paper straws so he can fly," wrote one person.
"My entire generation was told we could save the planet by recycling, riding our bikes, carpooling, taking public transportation. All that time we spent sorting planning and stressing is basically wiped out when he takes one trip into work on the private jet. Disgusting," declared a second Redditor.
"When I read the headline I thought, wow, surprised he doesn't just move the HQ like the guy from Chipotle. But it's the same guy...Looks like he's mastered the 'drop quality, raise prices and bail while the profits still look good, then let the next CEO figure out how to win back all the customers he's alienated,'" commented a third internet user.
"Global warming should be taken seriously. Unless you are rich, then it doesn't impact your decisions at all," someone else chimed in, with more calling it another "bad decision" on the coffee chain's part, and another joking that it's the "Venti commute."
Upon hiring Niccol, Starbucks issued a statement highlighting his "wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving innovation and growth," adding, "Our board believes he will be a transformative leader for our company, our people, and everyone we serve around the world.”
According to the new CEO’s offer letter , which was recently made public, Niccol will earn an annual salary of $1.6 million annually with the opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus ranging from $3.6 million to $7.2 million. In addition, Niccol will be eligible for equity awards worth up to $23 million.
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