Seattle, October 18: In a bold stance on workplace policy, Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman issued a strict warning to employees regarding the company's upcoming shift to a mandatory five-day in-office workweek. During an all-hands meeting, Garman emphasised that those unwilling to comply with this requirement should consider leaving the company, stating, “If there are people who just don’t work well in that environment and don’t want to, that’s okay; there are other companies around.” He defended the policy, citing overwhelming support from staff and the need for collaboration to foster innovation.

Garman's comments come as Amazon prepares to enforce a more stringent workplace policy that requires employees to work five days a week from the office, a shift from the current three-day in-office requirement. This decision, which takes effect in January, aims to enhance teamwork and productivity within the organisation. According to a Reuters report, Garman claimed that nine out of ten employees he has spoken with support this transition, reinforcing his argument that in-person collaboration is vital for achieving the company's ambitious goals. Amazon Asks Employees To Return to Office 5 Days a Week Starting January 2, 2025.

He articulated a vision of teamwork that he believes can only flourish in a shared physical space, stating, “When we want to really, really innovate on interesting products, I have not seen an ability for us to do that when we’re not in-person.” The push for in-person work has sparked a mixed reaction among Amazon employees. Some workers have expressed concerns about the time and stress associated with commuting, arguing that the benefits of remote work, such as flexibility and reduced travel time, outweigh the advantages of being physically present in the office. Amazon Layoffs: E-Commerce Giant May Lay Off Around 14,000 Managers by 2025 To Save USD 3 Billion Annually, Say Reports.

Critics of the new policy assert that there is little independent data supporting the claim that in-person work enhances productivity or collaboration. As the transition unfolds, Amazon is taking a firmer stance compared to many tech giants that have adopted more flexible hybrid models. As a result of the shifting policy landscape, Amazon has reportedly begun locking out employees who do not comply with the new five-day mandate, effectively treating noncompliance as a voluntary resignation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2024 09:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).