Amazon Employees Send Angry Letter Over Return-to-Office Policy; Management remains steadfast

Over 500 Amazon employees sent a letter to Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman on Wednesday calling for the reversal of a new five-day mandate on the job and questioning his recent statement that the policy was “with employees.” broad support.”

The letter begins: “We were appalled by the non-data-based explanation you gave for Amazon imposing a five-day mandate.”

The open letter claims Garman’s comments “misrepresent the reality of working at Amazon” and do not reflect the experiences of many employees.

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The return-to-office policy announced in September by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy was met with significant resistance from Amazon’s workforce.

“We understand that some of our teammates may have arranged their personal lives such that returning to the office five days a week will require some adjustments,” Jassy said in a public note to employees.

Many employees argue that remote work is productive and that commuting adds unnecessary time and expense. Amazon has enforced the policy by requiring its employees to either report to regional offices, relocate to Seattle or “voluntarily resign” if they cannot comply.

Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman speaks during the WSJ Tech Live conference hosted by The Wall Street Journal at Montage Laguna Beach in Laguna Beach, California, October 21, 2024. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“If there are people who just don’t function well in that environment and don’t want to, that’s okay. There are other businesses nearby,” Garman said during an Oct. 17 meeting.

The letter includes personal stories from a dozen employees who cited family responsibilities, medical needs and long commute times as barriers to complying with the policy. One worker reported a four-hour drive to the nearest office, while another noted that his wife would have to leave her job if she moved.

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Many expressed frustration at the impact on their work-life balance. One employee explained: “I used to be proud of my work and excited about my future here. I don’t have that anymore.”

The employees argue Garman’s comments lacked supporting data and “destroyed the trust of your employees, who not only have personal experiences demonstrating the benefits of remote work, but have also seen the extensive data supporting those experiences.” “

They also say the new mandate disproportionately affects workers with special needs, such as those with neurodiversity or childcare responsibilities, calling into question Amazon’s policy of “striving to be the best employer in the world.”

Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman speaks during the WSJ Tech Live conference hosted by The Wall Street Journal at Montage Laguna Beach in Laguna Beach, California, October 21, 2024. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan told FOX Business that the company understands that this may be a transition for some employees, which is why the company is sharing this guidance well in advance of expecting employees to work in the office.

Additionally, Callahan emphasized that Amazon offers its employees “a range of resources” depending on the worker’s location, including access to elder care options and pet sitting.

Amazon can also offer its employees funded or reimbursed public transportation, free commuter shuttles, subsidized monthly parking fees, and several more sustainable commute support options.

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Amazon employees are expected to return to the office five days a week starting January 2nd.

Reuters contributed to this report.