The online retail giant Amazon recently announced that it will require its workers to return to their offices by June 7th, 2021, in order to “maintain a sense of connection and community”. While those who cannot attend due to health or personal reasons are allowed to continue working from home, Amazon has made it clear that non-compliance with the return-to-office mandate may impede future career advancement.
Amazon surveyed over 17,900 workers in Europe, the US, and Canada ahead of this policy change to get feedback on the potential move. 77 percent of its surveyed workforce said they were likely or very likely to return to their offices this summer, although not all of them wanted to.
The company describes the policy change as an effort to make sure that connections, office culture, and career potential are not diminished as people increasingly work from home over the past year. It appears that Amazon is attempting to force workers back into physical offices despite the large shift towards remote work that has taken place since the start of the pandemic.
The message was made loud and clear by Amazon, which says employees’ “long-term career prospects” may be impeded should they not comply with the return-to-office mandate. Its statement also read that “the scale and reach of Amazon’s operations requires a consistent level of coordination and the need to have teams of colleagues connect with each other.”
Amazon’s return-to-office policy is a mixed bag for those who prefer remote work. On one hand, it may indicate that remote work is not in Amazon’s long-term plans, which might be discouraging for those who enjoy the benefits that come with working from home. On the other hand, for those who are willing to return to their offices, it may mean that their career paths will stay on track and that they may be in line for promotions, so long as they follow this new mandate.
