08:56 AM EST, 12/16/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Starbucks ( SBUX ) will increase paid parental leave for US store employees working at least 20 hours per week, according to a website message from the company's Chief Executive Brian Niccol on Monday.

Niccol said that starting in March, the company will allow fully paid leave of up to 18 weeks for birth parents, and up to 12 weeks for non-birth parents.

The decision to expand parental leave followed feedback from employees who felt the previous policy was insufficient, according to the CEO's statement.