Employees Urge AWS CEO to Reconsider Return-to-Office Policy

By Greg Bensinger

More than 500 Amazon.com employees sent a letter to the AWS CEO on a Wednesday, urging him to reverse the full return-to-office policy. This letter rejected his claim that the mandate had broad support, asserting that opponents should leave Amazon Web Services.

The letter opens with disappointment over the non-data-driven explanation for implementing a five-day in-office mandate. During an all-hands meeting on October 17, AWS CEO Matt Garman stated that 90% of employees he had talked to were in favor of the return-to-office policy, which is set to take effect early next year.

The letter counters that point, claiming Garman's remarks are inconsistent with the reality faced by many employees and misrepresent the working conditions at Amazon. An Amazon spokesperson noted various benefits provided to support in-office work, including commuter benefits and subsidized parking.

Garman expressed excitement over the change, arguing that collaboration was challenging under the current flexible three-day-per-week policy, causing problems when employees were in the office on different days. The company-wide policy, announced by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy in September, has sparked controversy, with critics labeling it wasteful due to increased commuting times and costs when remote work has proven effective.

The letter asserts Garman’s assertions are not backed by independent data and fundamentally break employee trust, especially for those who have personal experiences reinforcing the advantages of remote work. Moreover, the five-day in-office requirement disproportionately affects protected groups, including people with neurodiversity or childcare responsibilities. The letter argues this policy does not align with Amazon’s claim of striving to be “Earth’s Best Employer.”

It also included anonymous accounts from a dozen employees who detailed challenges related to family obligations and commuting times, making compliance onerous. One employee highlighted that the nearest office is four hours away, while another explained how a spouse would need to quit her job to move across the country.

One employee expressed disillusionment: “I used to be proud of my work and excited about my future here. I don't feel that anymore.” The letter referenced a 2020 blog post where Garman acknowledged AWS's effective operation during the initial pandemic phase with most employees working remotely.

In comparison to many tech peers enforcing two- and three-day in-office policies, Amazon's stricter approach has become increasingly controversial. The company suggests that the return-to-office mandate fosters invention, collaboration, and connectivity, with Garman stating, “we didn’t really accomplish anything” under the previous policy.