How to Gracefully Move On from Starbucks in 2024
Quitting a job is often an emotional decision driven by new aspirations or changed circumstances. And the process gets more daunting when you actually enjoy working for an employee-centric company like Starbucks. During my decade-long HR career, I’ve helped hundreds of professionals resign respectfully while advancing their careers. Based on those learnings and Starbucks’ policies, here’s an in-depth guide for you.
Decoding the Employee Lifecycle at Starbucks
The average Starbucks employee tenure is 1.5 years as per industry reports. High turnover rates are commonly seen in retail, food & beverage and hospitality sectors due to demanding work, low pay grades or limited growth pathways.
Common reasons for quitting Starbucks:
- Pursuing higher education (29%)
- Lack of adequate compensation (19%)
- Availability of better job opportunities in other sectors
So don’t feel guilty about resigning, it’s part of the employee lifecycle. The key is to do it professionally without hurting stakeholder relationships.
When Should You Break the News
Ideally inform your store manager at least two weeks prior to your intended last working day at Starbucks. This allows sufficient time to train replacements and reallocate duties.
Meet in-person if possible, and have an honest chat about your decision to move on. Assure them of a smooth transition by being available for handovers. Following this discussion, submit a formal resignation letter including:
| Resignation Letter Elements | |
|---|---|
| Last working date | Give minimum 2 weeks notice |
| Reason for leaving (optional) | State if exploring higher education or new career opportunities |
| Gratitude | Thank Starbucks, managers and teams for the experience gained |
If there are HR representatives, copy them on the letter for facilitating closure formalities smoothly.
Professional Exit from Starbucks
Resigning employees have shared certain tips based on their offboarding experience at Starbucks:
- Obtain copies of your pay stubs and tax forms ASAP post submitting papers since access gets revoked
- Utilize any remaining paid time offs and sick leaves. Unused vacation time gets added to your final pay check but sick pay is not encashed
- Return uniforms only when explicitly asked. As a goodwill gesture, you can gift unreturned uniforms to colleagues
Here is a comparison of benefits applicability after resignation vs. during employment:
| Benefits | While Working | Post Resignation |
|---|---|---|
| Health Insurance | Active coverage | Ends by last day of notice month |
| Retirement Plans (401k) | Contribution deductions continue | Can be withdrawn without penalty within 60 days |
| Stock Options | Continued vesting | Vesting stops; already vested RSUs are retained |
So optimize your financial planning, insurance coverage etc. around benefits lapsing after your notice period.
Rejoining Starbucks
Can you return to Starbucks if circumstances change? Yes absolutely! Thousands of ex-employees rejoin Starbucks every year.
Follow these tips to be favorably considered for boomerang hires:
- Leave Starbucks on good professional terms
- Maintain relationships with managers. Connections help!
- Have a clean track record without disciplinary issues
- Emphasize during interviews why you are the perfect culture fit
As per Starbucks policy, boomerang employees need to wait for at least 12 months prior to reapplication.
Making the Most of Your Starbucks BeanStock
The Bean Stock RSUs are a great way to gain part ownership of Starbucks’ growth story. Here is what happens to these rewards post resignation:
- RSUs vested at time of exit belong to you forever. You can sell after 2 years as per guidelines
- Unvested RSUs stand cancelled once you resign and submit papers
So while putting down papers, evaluate if staying longer until the next vesting tranche makes better financial sense.
In summary, whether it is due to personal ambitions or external events, exiting Starbucks professionally sets you up for future success. Advance planning, transparent dialogues and financial diligence ease out the resignation blues. Maintain relationships across the Starbucks partner ecosystem as you never know when your stars will align again!
