Cushman & Wakefield Inc. Global brokerage president Bruce Massler weighs in on the pressure to face the office in New York City.
Monday was the first day back in person for Amazon's 50,000 workers in Seattle.
The return of employees to work was expected to affect traffic in the city, as many people switched to telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearby Bellevue is also preparing to welcome 12,000 Amazon workers to offices there. FOX 13 reported.
The back-to-work order was announced last September by CEO Andy Jassey, who linked the new five-day requirement to Amazon's efforts to “make a better start-up for invention, collaboration and communication enough with each other and our culture to deliver the absolute best for customers.” and business.”
The tech giant had already moved from mandatory remote work to three days a week in May last year and had implemented some other changes.
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Corporate office buildings are seen above The Spheres at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters on November 14, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (David Ryder/Getty Images)
A month after the official announcement of the full-time office, more than 500 people Amazon employees sent a letter to Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), demanding a reversal of the order and challenging his recent statement that the policy had “broad support” among employees.
The letter included personal stories from dozens of employees who cited family commitments, medical needs and long commutes as barriers to adhering to the policy. One worker reported a four-hour commute to the nearest office, while another noted that his wife would have to leave work if she wanted to go home.
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An Amazon Prime delivery truck parked at Pike Place Market in late November. 29, 2021. (Stock Photo/Getty Images)
Many employees Argued that telecommuting was counterproductive and that commuting added unnecessary time and expense. Amazon has enforced the policy by requiring employees to report to regional offices, relocate to Seattle or “voluntarily resign” if they fail to comply.
Amazon told FOX Business that the company understands this may be a transition for some employees, which is why they're sharing this guidance before expecting employees to work from the office.
Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services, speaks at the WSJ Tech Live conference hosted by The Wall Street Journal at the Laguna Beach Convention Center in Laguna Beach, California, on Oct. 21, 2024. (Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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In addition, Amazon says they offer “A number of resources” for employees depending on location, including access to senior care options and pet sitters.
Amazon also said in a statement that it can provide employees with budgeted or reimbursed public transportation, free shuttles, subsidized monthly parking rates and several sustainable commuting assistance options.
Jasmine Bahr and Aislin Murphy of FOX Business contributed to this report.