Amazon CEO Dismisses Claims of Office Return Policy Being a ‘Backdoor Layoff’ Strategy

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has vigorously dismissed claims that the company’s new policy requiring employees to report back to the office five days a week starting next year is a ploy for cutting its workforce. In the company meeting on 5th November, Jassy assured everyone that the decision was not a result of pressure from city officials or disguised layoffs but a reinforcement of Amazon’s corporate culture. The change now means a drastic change from the current three days in the office schedule stated by the organization.

A new office attendance policy has angered the service, and more than 500 Amazon employees have signed a letter asking the company to rethink the rules. Workers’ concerns are that the five-day mandatory operation is counter to industry trends and will most certainly reduce output because of the extra time it takes to travel. The company has been especially forceful, where the defiant employees are dismissed through what Amazon calls voluntary resignation.

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Another speaker to the controversy is AWS CEO Matt Garman who in October tweeted that everyone who is not content with their current job should look for a new one. This policy has raised concerns over the effect of having employees with family responsibilities or health issues, the effected workplace flexibility,, and the health of employees.

To ease the change, Amazon has offered measures such as improved commuter benefits and different types of subsidized parking. Jassy stated some improvement had been made in this area, as of the roughly 500 internal complaints against too much bureaucracy, a little over 150 of them were fixed. These changes happen at a time when the company is reporting a staggering third-quarter profit of $15.3 billion.

The company sustains itself on the new policy even as the debate goes on. Jassy’s statement “We’re going to work through this adjustment together,” is timely when one notes Amazon’s financials suggesting a healthy competitive position and upbeat outlook for the holiday quarter.