Report: Starbucks not cutting health care benefits as new healthcare law looms
New York -- Starbucks Coffee Co. does not to plan to follow in the footsteps of some other companies that are cutting health insurance benefits or reducing employees working hours in anticipation of the U.S. Affordable Care Act, Reuters reported.
"Other companies have announced that they won't provide coverage for spouses; others are lobbying for the cut-off to be at 40 hours,” Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said in a telephone interview with Reuters. “But Starbucks will continue maintaining benefits for partners and won't use the new law as excuse to cut benefits or lower benefits for its workers.”
The new law requires companies with more than 50 employees to offer health insurance for employees who work 30 hours a week or more. Starbucks currently provides healthcare to part-timers who work 20 hours a week or more.