employees must return to in-person activities full time

CEO Andy Jassy announced this Monday (16) that corporate employees must return to the office five days a week. The new policy generates a significant change as the current hybrid policy, in force since the pandemic, required employees to work only three times a week. In a statement, the executive director says that the changes serve to strengthen the culture and teams.

In 2023, Jassy had already mentioned in a memo that bringing employees back to offices is not an easy task, but that it would give teams the time needed to develop a return plan.

In the note published this Monday, he maintains his position that the return of in-person activities brings beneficial results: “We continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant”. The American businessman adds that “noted that it is easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice and strengthen our culture; collaborating, brainstorming and inventing are simpler and more effective; teaching and learning from each other are more integrated; and teams tend to be more connected to each other.” The new measure should come into force on January 2, 2025.

_{Amazon announcement to employees about the return of in-person activities (Video: reproduction/ CNN Brasil/You Tube)}

What will happen if there is resistance

Since 2023, Amazon has been reinforcing its requirement for employees to return to the office. Failure to comply with current policy may harm promotion chances, in addition to having exceptions for working from home subject to an extra level and approval by leadership. There is a “variety of factors we consider when determining an employee’s readiness for the next level”; said Brad Glasser, an Amazon spokesman, in a statement given to CNN.

“Like any company, we expect employees being considered for promotion to comply with company guidelines and policies,” added Glasser.

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_{Amazon workers gather for a rally during a strike event at the company's headquarters on May 31, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo: reproduction/David Ryder/Getty Images Embed)}

Amazon has already faced resistance from some employees. Last year, some corporate workers went on strike at headquarters in Seattle, which was accompanied by several complaints, including pressure to return to in-person activities at least three times a week. The 2023 strike came months after the company confirmed the layoff of around 27,0000 workers in several rounds of cuts.

Hybrid work model

Although companies, especially those located on Wall Street, emphasize their preference for full return, most have stopped requiring employees to work full time (five days a week). According to a survey carried out by The Conference Board At the beginning of this year, only 4% of CEOs in the United States and 4% of CEOs in the world stated that the priority is for employees to return to face-to-face activities.

Featured photo: Amazon company logo (Reproduction: Anadolu/Getty Images Embed)