Starbucks Pledges to Hire 10,000 Refugees

Move over, pumpkin spice latte. Starbucks has won even more hearts and customers with their latest announcement. Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz announced plans to hire 10,000 refugees over five years in the 75 countries where it does business. "We are living in an unprecedented time, one in which we are witness to the conscience of our country, and the promise of the American Dream, being called into question. These uncertain times call for different measures," Schultz wrote in a company-wide memo over the weekend, after President Trump announced an executive order banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US for at least the next 90 days. In response, Starbucks has accelerated plans to increase hiring and remain committed to international partnerships. "Starbucks has and will always stand for opportunity – opportunity for our young people who are working to land their first job in the 75 countries where we do business, opportunity for our farmers who care so deeply for the highest of quality coffee we offer to customers all around the globe, and yes, opportunity for those who come to America in search of their own fresh start – whether that is with Starbucks directly, or through our suppliers or our partner companies." Schultz continued:

We have a long history of hiring young people looking for opportunities and a pathway to a new life around the world. This is why we are doubling down on this commitment by working with our equity market employees as well as joint venture and licensed market partners in a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination.  There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business.  And we will start this effort here in the U.S. by making the initial focus of our hiring efforts on those individuals who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where our military has asked for such support.

In addition to being globally minded, Starbucks also offers free college tuition for full-and part-time workers, stock options (even for part-time baristas), free coffee, as well as health insurance, vacation time and 401(k) packages. Starbucks is just one of a bevy of companies, like Amazon, who are ramping up hiring. The refugee hiring proposal, Schultz wrote, will begin this year. "We are in business to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time – whether that neighborhood is in a Red State or a Blue State; a Christian country or a Muslim country; a divided nation or a united nation. That will not change.  You have my word on that." Looking for a new job with a socially-conscious company in 2017? Check out the thousands of jobs at Starbucks available now.