Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman didn’t mince words during an internal meeting when addressing the company’s new return-to-office (RTO) policy.
With the requirement set to take effect on January 2, 2025, workers will be expected to return to the office five days a week—a shift from the previous three-day hybrid model.
As discontent grows among employees, Garman made it clear: if they’re not on board, they can look elsewhere.
“When we want to innovate, when we want to really, really innovate on interesting products, I have not seen an ability for us to do that when we’re not in-person,” Garman said, according to leaked audio obtained by Business Insider.
For those who find the policy challenging, Garman suggested they might consider other opportunities, saying, “there are other companies around.”
Garman’s remarks come as Amazon faces increasing backlash from its employees.
A Blind survey revealed that 91% of the company’s workers are unhappy with the new mandate, with 73% considering new jobs.
Some employees have already resigned in response to the policy.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy echoed similar sentiments in a memo, explaining the company’s decision.
He pointed to in-office collaboration as crucial for fostering innovation, saying the advantages of being together in the office are significant.
Many workers in the business world are pushing back against return-to-office mandates across industries, advocating for more flexibility.
According to a ResumeBuilder.com survey, one in five U.S. workers has ignored their company’s RTO policies, with many preferring fewer days in the office, believing it enhances productivity.
As the tu-of-war between corporate policies and employee preferences continues, Amazon’s leadership remains firm in its stance, signaling that in-person collaboration is here to stay.
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