A growing number of Amazon employees are rethinking their job security following a recent announcement by CEO Andy Jassy, mandating a full-time return to the office. A Blind survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of Amazon professionals (73%) are considering jumping ship due to the new policy. The survey, which polled 2,585 Amazon workers, also showed that 80% are aware of colleagues who share their sentiments. The policy change has reportedly taken a toll on employee morale, particularly among working parents.
In an effort to sway leadership, an internal survey was circulated on Slack channels, including a “remote advocacy” group, to provide feedback to Jassy and other leaders. The new mandate is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic layers. Jassy announced the plan in a memo, stating that Amazon would cut management layers and require employees to return to the office five days a week starting January 2025.
However, the policy has not been uniformly applied across Amazon’s subsidiaries. For instance, workers at Amazon’s One Medical subsidiary are only required to come to the office three times a week, starting in October. This discrepancy has fueled further dissatisfaction among Amazon’s broader workforce. The policy has also faced external criticism, with the UK government pushing for flexible working rights ahead of the holiday season.
The dissatisfaction with Amazon’s rigid return-to-office policy has already led to a significant increase in resignations, particularly within its cloud division. In December, Amazon Web Services (AWS) employees reportedly resigned in large numbers, citing the inflexible policy as a primary reason. As the company navigates this backlash, it remains to be seen whether Jassy will reconsider the policy or stand firm in his commitment to in-office work.
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