Amazon has reinstated a full-time office work policy for its corporate employees worldwide, marking a significant shift from its previous hybrid model. This change impacts over 8,000 Amazon corporate employees in Canada and has stirred dissatisfaction among staff.
As of 2 January, employees are required to work in office five days a week, a departure from the two-day remote work schedule introduced in 2023.
The decision, announced by Andy Jassy, CEO, in September, signals a return to pre-pandemic work arrangements. Amazon emphasised that in-office collaboration drives innovation and strengthens organisational culture. However, many employees are sceptical, citing a lack of data to support these claims. Critics argue that Amazon, a data-driven company, has not provided evidence linking full-time office work to improved collaboration or performance.
Employee discontent was evident in a letter signed by 524 Amazon staff members, addressed to Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services. The letter expressed frustration with the “non-data-driven” rationale behind the mandate and highlighted the benefits of remote work, including increased productivity and employee satisfaction.
Amazon’s decision aligns with similar moves by other companies. Dell recently required its sales teams to return to offices full time, while AT&T eliminated hybrid work at the start of the year.
Despite Amazon’s stance, many of the employees stated that they believe hybrid work is the future. For some, the rigid policy could even prompt career changes. As debates around workplace flexibility continue, Amazon faces the challenge of balancing employee satisfaction with its operational goals.
