Janice R. Andrews
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy addressed employee concerns about the company’s upcoming five-day in-office mandate during an all-hands meeting on Tuesday. Jassy clarified that the policy is not a strategy to reduce staff or meet city demands, but rather an effort to strengthen Amazon’s culture.
Currently, Amazon requires employees to work in the office three days a week. However, beginning next year, the company will expect employees to be in the office daily. This plan has sparked frustration among some Amazon workers, who argue that it imposes a stricter schedule than many of their tech peers.
Employees raised concerns that increased commute times could affect productivity, and those who don’t comply with the policy risk “voluntary resignation” and access restrictions to company systems. Additionally, over 500 Amazon employees signed a letter opposing the policy, arguing that it was unnecessary and disproportionately burdens workers with families or health challenges.
In response to these concerns, Amazon has introduced commuter benefits, including subsidized parking, to ease the transition back to in-office work. Jassy acknowledged that “it’s an adjustment” but emphasized Amazon’s commitment to supporting employees during this shift. The CEO stated that the new policy reflects the company’s long-term vision and is not a cost-cutting measure.
Jassy’s comments aimed to address the “backdoor layoff” claims and assure employees that the in-office mandate is about fostering collaboration and culture, not reducing staff. The company remains focused on its long-term goals, despite the concerns raised by some workers.
