Amazon Encourages Corporate Workers to Relocate for Office Return
Amazon is implementing a new return-to-office policy that requires workers to be in the office three days a week and is asking some corporate employees to relocate to other cities as part of this initiative. While the tech giant has confirmed the relocations, it has not commented on reports suggesting that workers in smaller offices will be required to move to larger cities where the main offices are located.
The exact number of employees who will be asked to relocate has not been disclosed. However, Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser stated that the company will provide relocation benefits to those who are required to move and will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
In a prepared statement, Glasser highlighted the positive impact of increased in-person collaboration and connections since implementing the three-day office policy. He added that Amazon is continuously exploring ways to bring teams together in the same locations and will communicate directly with employees regarding any decisions that may affect them.
This move represents an escalation of Amazon’s efforts to bring workers back to the office. In February, the company introduced the three-day office policy, which was met with protests by hundreds of corporate workers outside the Seattle headquarters. 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 successful practices during the pandemic. The senior leadership team assessed employee performance and consulted leaders from other companies, ultimately concluding 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 the option to find a new job internally or leave the company through voluntary resignation. In recent months, Amazon has already eliminated 27,000 positions.