Starbucks Corporation CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ...

Focusing on healthcare and Wellness
Starbucks remains committed to providing healthcare
benefits to eligible full- and part-time partners, despite rapidly
rising costs. Starbucks U.S. and Canada healthcare plans are
self-insured, which means healthcare providers are paid with
Starbucks funds, as well as the money our partners personally
contribute toward their coverage. In fiscal 2006, we did
not increase healthcare premiums to partners. Starbucks is
working in a variety of ways to ensure the continuation of our
health coverage plan, and assist our partners in their efforts to
reach and maintain their optimal health.
Outreach to Newly Covered Partners
In fiscal 2006, Starbucks began testing a novel outreach
effort to newly enrolled partners. Partners receive a welcome
call from our health plan administrator who can answer
questions about their health coverage – from how to select
a physician to how to find weekend or after-hours care. This
approach is being tested in 10 locations in the U.S. We hope
to find that through a simple welcome call we can improve
partners’ health, and encourage efficiencies in the use of
healthcare resources.
Thrive Wellness Initiative
Starbucks commitment to the health and wellness of our
partners – and our customers – is evident in many of our
programs and policies. One very direct effort to care for
our partners’ health is the Thrive Wellness Initiative, which
combines education, communication and participation to
help our partners live healthy lives. Over 15,000 partners have
registered on the Thrive website since its inception. Below are
some of the components of the program.
• A web-based health risk assessment that creates a personal
“health map” for each partner.
• Online programs for fitness, smoking cessation and
improvement of eating habits.
• Health club discounts at contracted fitness facilities.
• Partner Connection subsidies for up to 50 percent of
fees for clubs or sports teams that include three or more
active partners.
• Anti-slip work shoes at a discounted price online to help
reduce the risk of slip and fall injuries.
Kinetix, the newest benefit in the Thrive Wellness Initiative,
was piloted in fiscal 2006 and launched in October 2006
at no cost to partners in our support offices in Seattle,
Washington, the location of Starbucks global headquarters.
Kinetix is a comprehensive wellness program that teaches
proper nutrition and exercise through an interactive website,
classes and workshops, an eight-week session with a personal
trainer and phone and e-mail support to keep partners on
track to reach their personal fitness goals.
W O R K P L A C E
Advocating for Healthcare Reform
Rising healthcare costs and other challenges of providing
healthcare benefits have led Starbucks to advocate for a more
affordable and efficient U.S. healthcare system. For the past
several years, we have focused our efforts on building public
awareness about the seriousness of escalating healthcare costs,
and seeking reform of the healthcare system generally.
In fiscal 2006, we worked to become more strategic in
our efforts. First, we analyzed the greatest challenges that
Starbucks faces in delivering affordable, accessible healthcare.
We then identified the following areas where we will focus
efforts: access, technology, innovation, quality and lifetime
solutions. In fiscal 2007, we will highlight specific initiatives
in these key areas. Through our efforts, we hope to alleviate
healthcare challenges for Starbucks and our partners, and
all other U.S. companies and employees whose healthcare
benefits are threatened.
My Starbucks –
Sean Couture, a Starbucks store
manager in Williston, Vermont, saw
golf as a great team-building activity
for fellow partners and managers
in his region, but wondered whether
the expensive golf fees could be put
to better use. When Sean learned
about Starbucks Partner Connection
program, he found a way to combine
his passion for golf with his desire to
bring together a group of partners
for camaraderie and a good cause.
Sean formed a Starbucks Partner
Connection Golf Team and put out a
call to the three stores in his region,
asking partners if they’d like to join. For
their first outing, the team participated
in a Muscular Dystrophy Cornerstone
Cup Tournament that raised a total of
$12,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy
Association (MDA). In addition to
contributing half of the team’s entry
fees, Starbucks also donated cups and
coffee to the event. The team has teed
up for other good causes including the
local Chamber of Commerce and Chill, an
intervention program for disadvantaged
kids. According to Sean, “Once you get a
team set up, it’s easy. It’s a great way
for partners to get to know each other
better, get closer, feel more like a team
and also contribute to a great cause.”