Amazon is ending remote work. Its employees hope the company reconsiders

Amazon Employees Push Back Against Mandatory Full-Time Office Return

As of January 2, Amazon employees worldwide are required to return to the office full-time, marking a shift from the hybrid work model implemented since 2023. The change has sparked discontent among many employees, including CJ Felli, a systems development engineer at Amazon Web Services in Seattle.

"The people on my team are very upset about this," Felli shared, highlighting the frustration among colleagues.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon's corporate workforce predominantly worked remotely. The hybrid model introduced later allowed employees to work remotely for two days and in the office for three days. However, CEO Andy Jassy announced in September 2024 that the company would revert to pre-pandemic office norms.

Concerns Over Lack of Data

Employees, including Felli, are questioning the rationale behind the full-time office mandate. "What we've been told is that it leads to increased collaboration between teams and innovation," Felli said. "But whenever we ask for data, which is famously Amazon's bread and butter, they never are willing to provide it."

Felli and over 500 colleagues wrote a letter to the leadership of Amazon Web Services, expressing disappointment in what they described as a "non-data-driven explanation" for the mandate. They emphasized the benefits of remote work, including increased employee happiness and productivity.

"I do most of my focused work at home, and breaking up the monotony personally really helps me out," Felli explained.

Changing Work Preferences

According to Statistics Canada, 18.7% of employed Canadians primarily worked from home as of May 2024. While this figure has declined since 2021, it remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.

A workplace trends report revealed that 40% of surveyed employees prefer hybrid work, while employers generally favor four in-office days per week. David King, a workplace expert, noted, "The dance between the employee and employer suggests we're still on a journey to perfect that mix."

Hybrid work remains a key factor in attracting talent, with 37% of surveyed managers offering such flexibility to recruit skilled professionals. Job postings mentioning remote or hybrid options have remained steady, reflecting ongoing demand.

Other Companies Following Suit

Amazon is among several large companies shifting back to full-time in-office work. Other firms, including major telecommunications and technology companies, have also ended hybrid work models.

Calgary-based fintech company Gigadat transitioned back to fully in-person work several years ago. Chief Operating Officer Cliff Nywening cited mental health and productivity as key motivators. "Being able to have a spontaneous meeting just adds a lot of value," Nywening said, though he acknowledged the challenges of such decisions.

Future Challenges for Amazon

Felli believes Amazon's decision may backfire. "Our whole bread and butter is selling products to people remotely and selling products to people who want to work remotely," he said. "If we can't make remote work, then what are we selling?"

As employees continue to voice their concerns, the debate over balancing flexibility and in-office collaboration remains a central issue for Amazon and many other organizations navigating the post-pandemic workplace.