Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is directing employees to return to the office on a regular basis.
Like many large companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon had adopted work-from-home and hybrid models. Now, the company is telling its staff to resume five-day office work weeks.
In a recent memo, Jassy announced that Amazon will revert to pre-COVID office arrangements to enhance collaboration, innovation, and cultural connection, which, he says, is essential to “deliver the absolute best for customers and the business.”
“When we look back over the last five years, we continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant,” Jassy said, highlighting the benefits of in-person work, including easier learning, stronger culture, and more effective teamwork.
While some flexibility will be allowed for exceptional circumstances, Amazon plans to reinstate assigned desks at its U.S. headquarters and expects regular in-office attendance to become the norm.
The company has set a deadline of January 2, 2025, to “help ensure a smooth transition,” though exceptions will be granted to those with a Remote Work Exception approved by their s-team leader.
Additionally, Amazon plans to restructure its teams by increasing the ratio of individual contributors to managers by at least 15% by the end of Q1 2025, according to the memo.
“Having fewer managers will remove layers and flatten organizations more than they are today,” Jassy noted.
Amazon’s People and Talent (PxT) team will work closely with leaders to implement these changes thoughtfully, guiding the organization through the transition in the coming months.