Amazon AWS CEO tells employees unhappy with 5-day office mandate: 'There are other companies around'
An Amazon executive took a firm stance on Thursday, defending the company's controversial new mandate requiring employees to work in the office five days a week. Addressing the backlash, he made it clear: those who don't support the policy are free to seek opportunities elsewhere. The tough message comes as some are already speculating that the in-office requirement is a strategic move by Amazon to cut down its workforce without resorting to severance payouts.
During an all-hands meeting for Amazon Web Services, CEO Matt Garman took a direct approach to addressing concerns over the company's new five-day-per-week in-office policy.
"If there are people who just don't work well in that environment and don't want to, that's okay," he said, adding, "there are other companies around."?
He emphasised the reasoning behind the mandate, arguing that in-person collaboration is essential for the company's most ambitious innovations:?"When we want to really, really innovate on interesting products, I have not seen an ability for us to do that when we¡¯re not in-person."
Amazon, the world's second-largest private employer after Walmart, has adopted a stricter return-to-office policy than many of its tech rivals.?
While companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft have opted for more flexible two- to three-day hybrid schedules, Amazon is doubling down on its belief in the benefits of working in person.?
The tougher stance was made public in CEO Andy Jassy's September announcement which said that starting January 2, 2025, employees will be required to be in the office five days a week.?
"When we look back over the last five years, we continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant," Jassy explained in a note to employees.
The decision has sparked considerable pushback, with many workers expressing concerns over how the change could disrupt their work-life balance, particularly due to long commutes and time spent in traffic.?
For some, it feels like a step backward, especially as other tech giants continue to offer more flexible work arrangements.
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