Amazon wants employees to work from office 5 days a week, says this will improve company culture

Amazon has announced a big change in its work culture by mandating a full-time return to the office for its corporate employees. Starting January 2, 2025, the company will require its corporate staff to work from the office five days a week, moving away from the hybrid model introduced during the pandemic. Currently, Amazon employees are only required to work from the office three days a week.
The announcement was made by Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, who highlighted the importance of in-person collaboration. He stated that the new policy aims to improve innovation and ensure that employees remain connected with one another, which Jassy believes is crucial for delivering the best results for customers and the business.
Jassy, who has long been an advocate of in-office work, reiterated the advantages of physical presence in his memo. He explained that employees who work from the office have better opportunities to learn from each other, collaborate more efficiently, and strengthen the company’s culture. According to him, activities like brainstorming and mentoring are easier when teams are physically together.
“Having the right culture at Amazon is something I don’t take for granted. We’ve observed that it’s easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice, and strengthen our culture,” he said.
This decision, however, may not sit well with all employees. Last year, several corporate workers staged a walkout at Amazon’s Seattle headquarters in protest of the company’s push for a three-day office return. The protest also followed Amazon’s significant workforce reduction, which saw 27,000 layoffs over several rounds of cuts.
While Amazon’s move aligns with a trend of companies pushing for a return to the office, it is a bold step compared to the global corporate climate. A survey conducted by The Conference Board earlier this year showed that only 4 percent of CEOs worldwide prioritise a full-time office return. Many companies, particularly in sectors outside of Wall Street, have softened their stance on this issue, continuing to offer hybrid models or more flexible working conditions.