Starbucks to start paying for 10 days of backup daycare for employees

FILE- In this May 29, 2018, file photo, a barista reaches for an empty cup at a Starbucks, commonly referred to as the original Starbucks, in the Pike Place Market in Seattle. FILE- In this May 29, 2018, file photo, a barista reaches for an empty cup at a Starbucks, commonly referred to as the original Starbucks, in the Pike Place Market in Seattle. Photo: Elaine Thompson, Associated Press Photo: Elaine Thompson, Associated Press Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Starbucks to start paying for 10 days of backup daycare for employees 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

Starbucks plans to cover the cost of some babysitting for its baristas.

The coffee giant announced Tuesday a new benefit for U.S. employees providing 10 subsidized backup care days a year for kids and adults.

To offer the new perk, Starbucks has partnered with Care.com, an online service connecting families and caregivers. Employees will receive a free premium membership to Care.com ($150) and will pay only $1 an hour for in-home backup childcare or $5 an hour for adult care.

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The benefit is available to employees no matter how many hours they work a week.

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Backup childcare is an unusual benefit and a 2017 survey of 3,000 employers by the Society of Human Resource Management found only 4 percent provide it. Two percent offered backup elder care services.