September 18, 2024 – According to a report by The New York Times, Amazon has informed its corporate employees that, effective January of next year, they will be required to return to the office for five days a week. This new policy marks an increase from the previous requirement of three days per week, which was implemented in 2023.
Known for its stricter rules compared to industry peers, Amazon has once again taken a leading position in terms of returning to the office. Unlike many tech companies that offer lavish corporate campuses and extravagant employee perks, Amazon has steered clear of such practices over the years. Instead, the company has set turnover targets for managers, outlining the number of team members they should expect to lose.
In a memo addressed to employees, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated, “If anything, our experience of returning to the office at least three days a week over the past 15 months has strengthened our belief in the benefits of face-to-face collaboration.”
Jassy emphasized that in-person interactions enable Amazon to maintain its culture and operate efficiently. “We want to run like the world’s largest startup,” he wrote.
This policy change will affect more than 350,000 corporate employees. It’s important to note that Amazon also employs over 1 million individuals in its warehouse and operations departments, who are not subject to this new policy.
According to an internal Amazon employee website, attendance will be monitored through a card swipe system. Employees are required to return to the office even if there are few team members present at their location. The company is also focusing on improving the utilization of its meeting rooms.
