Amazon has announced that starting from 2nd January 2025 it will require its employees to work from the office full-time, five days a week. This is an increase from the previous three-day in-office requirement. Employees may request exceptions for special circumstances, which will need approval from high-level management.
Amazon is also restructuring its organisation. The company aims to decrease the number of managers and increase the count of direct contributors by the end of Q1 2025. This move is intended to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic processes. Amazon, like many tech firms, experienced rapid growth during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by significant layoffs.
The debate over in-office work requirements has been ongoing since the pandemic began four years ago, with employers and employees often disagreeing on the ideal balance. In May of the previous year, Amazon faced a protest at its Seattle headquarters, where employees voiced concerns about changes in climate policy, job cuts, and the mandate to return to the office.
Commenting on the announcement, Justina Raskauskiene, Human Resources Team Lead at e-commerce marketing platform Omnisend, says: “Only time will tell if Amazon’s decision to bring all corporate employees back for full-time office work will do more harm than good for the company. Taking away the opportunity for people to work remotely can harm a company’s chances of attracting the best talent in the job market. The choice of future candidates will be limited to people working in certain cities that have Amazon offices.
“Also, working remotely saves commuting time, meaning going back to the office could be a deal breaker for some of the current Amazon employees. This is especially the case for employees with childcare commitments who may choose to vote with their feet to find another remote position.
“Lastly, many people notice that individual tasks often get done faster at home than they would be done in the office. Some people can become less productive when they return to the office.
“However, on the positive side, some companies notice that in-person communication is much more efficient, leading to quicker decision-making. Many problems can be solved simply by meeting a colleague in the office kitchen and discussing all the questions in person.
“Team productivity and cohesion, in my view, are also stronger when working on-site. There is a smaller chance of misunderstandings, which are common when you are only discussing subjects online.
“In addition, non-remote work helps organisations more easily nurture company culture. For example, as someone working in human resources, I find training much more effective than doing so remotely, because it is easier to ensure that employees are not distracted.”
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