Amazon will require employees to return to the office five days per week starting next year, increasing its previous three-day mandate, Reuters reports.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated in a letter that the change is necessary for innovation, collaboration, and connection, noting that the experience with the three-day policy reinforced the benefits of office work. Many companies have allowed remote work since the pandemic, but some tech firms are starting to require partial office returns. Amazon has taken a stricter approach, with some employees being asked to relocate or face job loss.
As part of organizational restructuring, Amazon plans to increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers by 15% by early 2025, which may lead to some roles being eliminated. Additionally, the company is ending a program that allows employees to work remotely for up to four months each year.
The mandate has been unpopular among some employees, who argue remote work is effective and saves commuting costs. Last year, workers at Amazon’s Seattle headquarters staged a walkout protesting the return-to-office policy along with other company issues.
