Amazon Employees Oppose Five-Day Office Policy

Over 500 Amazon employees have sent a letter to AWS CEO Matt Garman urging him to reconsider the company's five-day return-to-office policy set to take effect in January 2025. The employees dispute Garman's claim that nine out of ten workers support this mandate, stating that it misrepresents their experiences and sentiments, particularly regarding work-life balance. Concerns were raised about the impact on employees with caregiving responsibilities and disabilities, as well as the potential for increased turnover as workers seek more flexible arrangements. The letter criticizes Garman's reliance on anecdotal evidence and highlights the effectiveness of remote work during the pandemic. As Amazon's policy contrasts sharply with more flexible approaches adopted by other tech companies, employees fear it may alienate valuable talent. The situation reflects a broader tension within the company over the balance between collaboration and employee autonomy.