During a recent meeting, Amazon's CEO firmly conveyed a message to employees who harbored reservations about resuming office work, saying that it will not be a viable option for them.
(Photo : Thos Robinson/Getty Images for The New York Times)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Andy Jassy on stage at the 2022 New York Times DealBook on November 30, 2022 in New York City.
Past Time to Disagree and Commit
Amazon's Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy has a clear message for employees who are hesitant about returning to the office: "It won't be a feasible option for you." The Verge reported that this statement was reportedly delivered during a recent meeting.
In May, Amazon instituted a policy requiring employees to work at the office for three days each week. However, this decision was met with discontent from a significant number of Amazon's workforce. In response, thousands of employees signed a petition in opposition to the mandate and organized a walkout in protest.
Clearly, Amazon's standpoint on this issue remains steadfast. A recording from the meeting, acquired by Insider, underscores this stance. Jassy conveyed to employees that the time for differing opinions has passed and it's now about disagreement and commitment.
Jassy's remarks were delivered in a meeting held earlier this month, during which he openly expressed his sense of frustration. The cause for his frustration stemmed from the observation that certain employees were not treating the return-to-office directive with the seriousness it warranted.
Aligning with Company Principles
He further emphasized that if individuals are unable to align with this principle, their compatibility with Amazon's culture may be in question. Jassy highlighted that the company's direction is clear: a return to the office for a minimum of three days every week.
Reported by Business Insider, Jassy expressed that his choice to reinstate office attendance was a "judgment call," and he indicated that employees who are unwilling to adhere to this decision have the option to leave. He remaked that it's not equitable for some employees to commit to three days a week and others to decline.
Jassy informed his team that he had conversed with a considerable number of fellow CEOs. He highlighted that an overwhelming majority of these CEOs expressed a strong inclination toward bringing their respective workforce back to the office setting.
In March, a significant figure of approximately 30,000 employees affixed their signatures to a petition urging Jassy to retract his directive, which stipulated that a majority of employees were required to work on-site for at least three days every week.
Back in February, Jassy disclosed that the company's decision to transition back to office work was informed by lessons learned during the pandemic. New York Post reported that the senior leadership team observed work patterns and engaged in conversations with counterparts at other organizations.
Their assessment led them to conclude that in-person work fostered higher engagement levels among employees and facilitated smoother collaboration.
Related Article: Some Amazon Corporate Workers Will Be Forced to Relocate as Part of Its Return-to-Office Policy
