Tata Starbucks introduces gender pay parity in India

Tata Starbucks has introduced pay parity between men and women across verticals in its workforce in India. With this, Starbucks becomes the first company in India’s food and beverage sector to do so.

Tata Starbucks has 29% of women's employee strength. It is Starbucks’ fourth unit to achieve pay parity after the US, Canada and China.

Deepa Krishnan, Head (Marketing), Tata Starbucks, said, “Our employees are gauged solely on experience and skills, and not gender. Most companies face issues when women rejoin the workforce after a break, be it for marriage or childbirth. We are ensuring that candidates, with their respective level of experience and skillsets, aren’t differentiated on the basis of their gender.”

In 2016, Tata Starbucks was the first Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain in India to provide a five-day work week to all employees.

Currently, Starbucks has 167 outlets and 2,000 employees on its rolls across India. The brand has been on an expansion spree in the country.

Apart from pay parity and five-day work week, Tata Starbucks has several other policies like flexible shifts, mentorship, as well as maternity and paternity leave to retain staff.

“The share of women in India’s workforce was 37% a decade ago. In 2018, the number decreased to around 26%. There are societal reasons for this. Family plays an important role for working women; we invite employees’ family members to our outlets. When they see the work environment and the respect customers have for our staffers, there is a positive impact,” Krishnan added.