The Return-to-Office Debate: What's Behind Amazon's Shift Back to Pre-Pandemic Norms?

Amazon, the online retail giant, has made a significant change in its work-from-home policy. CEO Andy Jassy, who took over in 2021, has announced that employees will now be required to return to the office five days a week. This change marks a stark contrast to the company's previous hybrid policy, which allowed employees to work from home at least three days a week. The new policy aims to foster collaboration among team members, which was prevalent before the pandemic. However, not all employees are pleased with this change. Some have expressed frustration on internal Slack channels, citing the increased workload and pressure to achieve high standards. An employee wrote, "It's not about 'going back' to how it was before; it's about going backwards. " Another employee joked, "Can I negotiate my manager to PIP me? " referring to the company's harsh performance improvement plan. The return-to-office mandate has also rekindled debates about Amazon's work culture, particularly its reputation as a difficult place to work. Employees have reported long hours, unreasonably high standards, and internal competition. These issues have led to reports of high turnover rates and employee dissatisfaction. The company's leadership principles, which prioritize putting customers first and striving to be the best employer, have also been questioned. Some employees view these principles as marketing gimmicks rather than genuine commitments. The recent announcement has sparked concerns that Amazon is neglecting its employees' well-being and convenience.