The Amazon back-to-the-office announcement has not gone down well with staff, with 91 percent of workers polled saying they were happy to return full-time.
The move, outlined by CEO Andy Jassy in a memo last week, has led many employees to voice their frustrations and even consider leaving the company.
Employee Backlash to Return-to-Office (RTO) Policy
A survey conducted by Blind, an online forum for verified tech workers, gathered the views of 2,500 Amazon workers.
It revealed only 9 percent of those polled were happy with the return-to-office (RTO) requirement.
More strikingly, 73 percent of those surveyed are now contemplating finding new jobs due to the change.
One Amazon staffer expressed frustration on Blind, stating:
“RTO blanket policy is crazy, particularly for those of us who were hired remotely and far from an office.
“I have kids and family here so unwilling to relocate. Even if I didn’t, there’s too great a risk I’d be laid off in six months anyway, so why risk a move?”
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Resignations and Recruitment Struggles
The poll was conducted shortly after Jassy’s announcement. It showed that 32 percent of respondents knew someone who had already quit because of the RTO mandate.
Additionally, 80 percent said they knew others who were considering leaving Amazon due to the policy.
This widespread discontent is not only affecting current employees but is also impacting Amazon’s recruitment efforts.
A Microsoft employee reported on the Blind forum that Amazon is struggling to hire new talent following the announcement.
The Microsoft staffer stated:
“I just had an Amazon recruiter blow up my phone and inbox five times in the last 24 hours to get me to provide my availability for an onsite interview. I asked the recruiter why they are rushing to hire, and he said the hiring managers are pissed that so many candidates dropped out of the pipeline in just the last 24 hours.”
Varied Reactions and Perspectives
The return-to-office policy has stirred a range of responses among employees. While many expressed concerns about how the RTO mandate would disrupt their work-life balance, others were more resigned to the change.
One Amazon staffer noted, “I feel dejected about this five-day RTO, but at the same time, I am thankful that I have flexibility in my life. I don’t have kids to worry about, so I have good savings to depend upon and can easily uproot my life to something completely different that fits my needs.”
Some employees on Blind speculated that the policy might be a strategic move to encourage staff turnover or to weed out those who are less committed to the company.
As one commenter pointed out, requiring in-office work could potentially be used as a method of “stealthily laying off” employees.
The Bigger Picture: Tech Industry’s Shift to Office Work
Amazon’s move to enforce a strict return-to-office policy isn’t unique but is among the more stringent in the tech industry.
Many tech giants have been urging employees back to the office, though not necessarily with a five-day requirement.
However, should other companies follow suit, employees who prefer remote work may find their options increasingly limited.
While some on the Blind forum acknowledged that office work had been the norm for decades and felt that the current pushback was unnecessary, others pointed out the significant lifestyle changes that remote work brought during the pandemic.
Many are now reluctant to revert to a full-time office environment, especially those who relocated or made significant life changes based on the flexibility remote work provided.
