Amazon is set to end its work-from-home policy, requiring employees to return to the office five days a week starting January. This move marks a significant shift from the company’s current two-day remote work allowance, as CEO Andy Jassy argues for the benefits of in-person collaboration.
In an email to employees, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that staff would be expected to work from the office five days a week beginning in January. Jassy emphasized that working together in person is more efficient and strengthens team bonds. This change represents a departure from the current policy, which allows employees to work from home two days per week.
The new rule is set to take effect at the start of January, giving employees time to adjust their living arrangements and personal circumstances. Jassy stated, “We expect you in the office,” signaling a clear end to the widespread remote work era at Amazon.
Exceptions and workplace changes
While the policy aims to bring employees back to the office full-time, some exceptions will remain in place. As was the case before the COVID-19 pandemic, occasional work-from-home days will be permitted for situations such as caring for a sick child or when an employee needs to focus on a particular task without interruptions.
Additionally, Amazon plans to reintroduce permanent workstations at its headquarters in Seattle and Arlington, near Washington D.C. This move away from the current desk-booking system is another step towards pre-pandemic office norms.
The broader context of return-to-office trends
Amazon’s decision comes as many companies are gradually recalling employees to the office following extended periods of remote work during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Seattle, where Amazon occupies several downtown high-rises, the shift to remote work led to significant revenue losses for local shops and restaurants.
Other major US technology companies have adopted different approaches to the return-to-office transition. For instance, Apple has found a balance by requiring employees to be in the office three days a week.
As Amazon implements this policy change, it joins a growing list of companies reassessing their work arrangements in the post-pandemic era, balancing the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility that many employees have come to value.
