[US] Amazon tells staff to work from the office or risk job losses

Amazon has informed its managers that they may fire staff who refuse to work from the office for a minimum of three days per week, Retail Gazette reports.

New internal guidelines have been implemented for supervisors detailing steps for dismissing workers who refuse to follow the rule, according to Business Insider.

An internal memo shared on Amazon’s intranet read, ”If the employee does not demonstrate immediate and sustained attendance after the first conversation, managers should then conduct a follow-up discussion within a reasonable time frame (depending on the employee situation, 1-2 weeks).

“This conversation will 1) reinforce that return to office 3+ days a week is a requirement of their job, and 2) explain that continued non-compliance without a legitimate reason may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of your employment”.

The online retailer reportedly revealed its three-day-week requirement in February.

Commenting at the time, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said, “Teams tend to be better connected to one another when they see each other in person more frequently”.

In August, Mr Jassy warned remote employees that “it’s probably not going to work out” for their ongoing employment at the ecommerce giant unless they come to the office at least three days per week.

Earlier this year more than 30,000 Amazon staff members signed a petition against the controversial policy.

Source: Retail Gazette

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

Amazon has informed its managers that they may fire staff who refuse to work from the office for a minimum of three days per week, Retail Gazette reports.

New internal guidelines have been implemented for supervisors detailing steps for dismissing workers who refuse to follow the rule, according to Business Insider.

An internal memo shared on Amazon’s intranet read, ”If the employee does not demonstrate immediate and sustained attendance after the first conversation, managers should then conduct a follow-up discussion within a reasonable time frame (depending on the employee situation, 1-2 weeks).

“This conversation will 1) reinforce that return to office 3+ days a week is a requirement of their job, and 2) explain that continued non-compliance without a legitimate reason may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of your employment”.

The online retailer reportedly revealed its three-day-week requirement in February.

Commenting at the time, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said, “Teams tend to be better connected to one another when they see each other in person more frequently”.

In August, Mr Jassy warned remote employees that “it’s probably not going to work out” for their ongoing employment at the ecommerce giant unless they come to the office at least three days per week.

Earlier this year more than 30,000 Amazon staff members signed a petition against the controversial policy.

Source: Retail Gazette

(Link and quotes via original reporting)