Amazon CEO Andy Jassy remains firm in enforcing his in-office presence requirements. After introducing a three-day workweek for office employees in May 2023, the U.S. company is now upping the ante: Starting in early 2025, more than 300,000 office workers worldwide are to return to the office five days a week. This decision positions Amazon as one of the strictest proponents among major tech companies advocating a return to traditional office work.
Before the pandemic, it was not a given that employees could work remotely two days a week, and that will not be the case in the future either," Jassy wrote in an internal memo. He highlighted the benefits of teams working together on-site, especially when solving complex problems.
This step follows a controversy in the summer of 2023, when hundreds of employees at Amazon's headquarters in Seattle protested against the return to the office. However, Jassy made it clear that no compromises would be made regarding this decision: “Those who cannot come to terms with it may want to work elsewhere,” he said in a company meeting in August.
While many other tech giants like Apple, Google, and Meta have agreed on a hybrid work model that combines both office and remote work, Amazon goes further. According to the software company Flex Index, only three percent of tech companies with more than 25,000 employees offer a five-day office presence. Amazon's tougher approach is being closely monitored by industry observers, as other executives may consider taking similar steps.
For Amazon, it's about reviving a company culture characterized by the "Day 1" mentality that was once established by founder Jeff Bezos. Jassy sees office presence as a way to reduce bureaucracy and strengthen innovation. "We've added more layers than before," he said. "This has led to unnecessary pre-meetings that waste valuable time.
The enforcement of this policy comes at a time when Amazon is already cutting jobs. Estimates suggest that up to 7,000 executives could be laid off to save $700 million annually. Overall, Amazon announced the elimination of 27,000 jobs last year.
Scientists like Nicholas Bloom from Stanford University warn, however, that such measures could alienate talented employees. According to Bloom, Amazon's approach might lead to a reduction in the workforce, but top talent would also leave the company in the process.
Amazon's Return to the Traditional Five-Day Workweek Could Set a Precedent for the Entire Industry. As companies continue to grapple with long-term work models post-pandemic, the question arises whether Amazon's strict approach will set an example.
