AWS Boss: Office Work Boosts Innovation, Most Staff Agree

Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman recently discussed the company's new return-to-office (RTO) policy in an all-hands meeting. He believes that working remotely makes it challenging to innovate and collaborate effectively. Garman shared that nine out of ten employees he's talked to are enthusiastic about the change. He acknowledged that some employees might not thrive in this environment and encouraged them to consider other job opportunities if they feel this way. The new policy, announced in September, requires most corporate employees to be in the office five days a week starting in January. Garman emphasized that in-person interactions are crucial for sparking creativity and driving innovation. He mentioned that there were days when his team didn't achieve much because some members were working remotely. Garman's perspective is that Amazon wants to foster a collaborative environment where people can work together and experience the company's Leadership Principles firsthand. He noted that the pre-pandemic office culture, with its lively debates and brainstorming sessions, contributed significantly to the company's growth and success.However, not all employees are on board with the new policy. Some feel it's a betrayal and plan to "coffee badge" (punching in and out while not actually working from the office) instead of complying with the five-day workweek requirement. On the other hand, a former Amazon executive supports the decision, believing it will help revive the company's growth. Amazon's spokesperson declined to comment on the matter but referred to a previous statement by CEO Andy Jassy, who highlighted the significant advantages of being together in the office. The spokesperson also mentioned that the RTO plan aims to strengthen the company's culture. Garman clarified that the policy doesn't mean employees will always be in the office. They can still attend customer meetings or external events, and there's flexibility for situations like home repairs. The goal is to recreate the dynamic office environment that existed before the pandemic.