Amazon Mandates Employee Relocation to Key Hubs

Amazon is requiring thousands of corporate employees to relocate to key hubs such as Seattle, Arlington, and Washington DC, a move that has unsettled a workforce already anxious about potential job cuts and the impact of artificial intelligence on staffing. The mandate, communicated mainly through individual meetings and internal town halls, gives affected staff a limited window to decide whether to move or resign, often without severance if they choose not to relocate. Mid-career professionals, especially those with families, are particularly hesitant to uproot given ongoing company cost-cutting measures. The policy is consistent with CEO Andy Jassy’s announcement of a return to pre-pandemic office practices and location-based roles beginning in 2025. Amazon asserts that bringing teams together in person will enhance effectiveness, while employees continue to voice concerns about job security and remote work on internal forums. The situation reflects broader tensions over workplace norms at the tech giant.