Amazon announced it would end its hybrid working policy in January and will require employees to return to work five days per week.
In a memo sent to all employees, CEO Andy Jassy announced the change in policy. Previously, staff could work from home on two days per week.
Jassy wrote: “We have decided to go back to the old office environment, as it was before Covid’s introduction.” She emphasized that this change would promote better collaboration and closer connections between employees.
Jassy has been a critic of flexible work arrangements for a while and expressed concern about the impact they may have on Amazon’s corporate cultures. He said that Amazon, which is known for its startup-like culture despite its rapid growth, could lose this advantage with too much bureaucracy.
Amazon, which employs 1.5 million employees worldwide, has experienced internal tensions due to its efforts to get staff back into the office. Employees at Amazon’s Seattle headquarters protested last year when the company cut its remote work allowance. The protest organizer was fired later, resulting in allegations of unfair reprisal and a dispute that is currently being reviewed by labour officials.
Jassy’s latest memo reiterated his concerns over the dilution in Amazon’s culture, and revealed the steps that the company has taken to combat bureaucratic inefficiencies. He introduced a “bureaucracy mail” where staff can report unneeded rules. He is also pushing managers to streamline teams which could lead to job cuts.
Amazon Hot-desking will be available
Amazon will end hot-desking, but continue to allow it in Europe. In exceptional circumstances such as personal emergencies or staff members’ need to work from home, Amazon will allow this. However, Jassy has made it clear that the expectation is for regular office attendance.
Amazon’s move contrasts with that of the UK government, which plans to make flexible work a right for all employees from day one. Jonathan Reynolds, the UK’s Business Secretary, has praised remote work for its benefits. He said that it can help businesses recruit talent from a wider pool and boost productivity.
Other major companies have also made the shift away from remote working, such as JP Morgan and UPS. Dell has also called its staff back to work full-time. Some experts, such as Stanford University professor Nicholas Bloom believe that the trend isn’t universal. He noted that, while some companies, like those in the media, are ending remote working, others continue to implement flexible policies.
Amazon’s decision ended hybrid work after the company made its initial move to require in-office attendance of three days in early 2023. Jassy said that the experience of the company with hybrid work “strengthened” their convictions about the benefits of working in-person. As the debate about remote and flexible working continues, it is unclear how this change will affect Amazon’s workforce or corporate trends.
