Amazon Implements New Policy Linking Promotions to Return-to-Office Mandate
In a recent update to its promotions policy, Amazon has announced that employees must adhere to the company’s return-to-office mandate in order to be eligible for promotions. The revised policy, which requires workers to be present in the office for at least three working days each week, states that those who fail to comply would need approval from a vice president to be considered for promotion.
This development comes shortly after reports emerged that Amazon had instructed managers to discuss office-based working expectations with non-compliant employees, with the possibility of termination for those who continue to oppose the rule.
An Amazon spokesperson emphasized the importance of compliance with guidelines and policies when considering employees for promotion, stating, “Promotions are one of the many ways we support employees’ growth and development, and there are a variety of factors we consider when determining an employee’s readiness for the next level.”
The clash between Amazon’s expectations and workers’ preferences has been evident in recent months. Following the termination of approximately 27,000 employees at the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023, Amazon requested that its office-based workers reduce their remote and hybrid working hours, despite many having been sent home during the peak of the pandemic.
Earlier this year, a petition opposing the revised requirement garnered signatures from 30,000 Amazon workers, and a small group even staged a walkout to protest this and the company’s environmental practices. However, Amazon reported that only a fraction of those who committed to the walkout actually participated.
In addition to complying with company policies, employees seeking promotion must consistently demonstrate high-level performance and show potential for growth within their new roles.
While Amazon’s stance may seem stringent, it is part of a broader trend among companies cracking down on remote working. Google, Apple, and Roblox are among the other companies implementing measures to discourage non-compliance.
Rob Munoz, an Amazon spokesperson, reiterated the company’s support for employee growth and development through promotions, stating, “Like any company, we expect employees who are being considered for promotion to be in compliance with company guidelines and policies.”
Amazon also emphasized that it has established a remote work exception process to accommodate specific circumstances.
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