Amazon Encourages Corporate Workers to Relocate as Part of Return-to-Office Policy
Amazon has implemented a return-to-office policy that requires corporate workers to be present in the office three days a week. As part of this policy, the tech giant is asking some employees to relocate to different cities. While Amazon has confirmed the relocations, it has not commented on reports suggesting that workers in smaller offices are being required to move to larger offices in bigger cities.
The company has not disclosed the exact number of employees who will be affected by these relocations. However, Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser stated that the company will offer relocation benefits to those asked to move and will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Glasser emphasized the positive aspects of working together in person, stating that there is increased energy, collaboration, and connections since employees have been working together at least three days a week. He added that this feedback has been received from numerous employees and businesses surrounding Amazon’s offices. Glasser also mentioned that the company is continuously exploring ways to bring teams closer together and will directly communicate with employees regarding decisions that impact them.
This move represents an escalation of Amazon’s efforts to bring workers back to the office. In February, the company introduced a policy requiring employees to be physically present three days a week, which came into effect in May. This decision led to protests by hundreds of corporate workers outside Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle. Previously, team leaders had the authority to determine their teams’ work arrangements.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy explained that the decision to bring workers back was based on observing what worked during the pandemic. The senior leadership team assessed employee performance and consulted with leaders from other companies. They concluded that in-person engagement and collaboration were more effective.
According to internal messages cited by Business Insider, Amazon employees who refuse to relocate near their team’s main offices are being given two options: finding a new job within the company or leaving through a voluntary resignation. It is worth noting that Amazon has already eliminated 27,000 jobs in recent months.
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