Amazon is serious about RTO

[Anonymous]

This is good for our area and hopefully the govt is next.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/29/business/amazon-jobs-return-to-office/index.html

[Anonymous]

Good. for. them.

[Anonymous]

Urban and near-suburban real estate is going to get even hotter. Unreal.

[Anonymous]

Found this interesting -> You’re legally entitled to disagree & commit with AJ. But that’s about it. No severance.

[Anonymous]

Why are you against WFH?

[Anonymous]

How is it good? Lots more on the road commuting. They are looking to get rid of folks.

[Anonymous]

About time

[Anonymous]

I support this, especially for a company like Amazon who, at least in DC, specifically chose an office location to be convenient for commuting (especially via public transportation -- they even built a new metro stop there!). It just doesn't make sense to throw all that out the window.

I think people need to get used to the idea that post-Covid work will involve some flexible arrangements where you have required days in the office but also more flexibility to WFH part of the time than you had pre-Covid. This is still a huge upgrade for most workers! Jobs with zero flexibility or WFH were so stressful pre-Covid, especially for people with young kids or other commitments. So many people have the freedom to WFH 1-3 days a week who used to be more chained to their desks. That's great. I think there is also greater flexibility with work schedule and employers are a bit more understanding about half days or needing to leave early certain days. At least that's my impression for both my work and DH's.

But I also think people really underestimate the value of in-person work. I don't want it 40 hours a week, but personally I really benefit from being in the office with colleagues at least 2 days a week. Things get done faster, meetings are more productive, and I think it contributes to better culture. I actually like my colleagues, it's good to see them more than we have the last few years. I think people who want 100% WFH often just dislike their jobs. And that's a different problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I support this, especially for a company like Amazon who, at least in DC, specifically chose an office location to be convenient for commuting (especially via public transportation -- they even built a new metro stop there!). It just doesn't make sense to throw all that out the window.

I think people need to get used to the idea that post-Covid work will involve some flexible arrangements where you have required days in the office but also more flexibility to WFH part of the time than you had pre-Covid. This is still a huge upgrade for most workers! Jobs with zero flexibility or WFH were so stressful pre-Covid, especially for people with young kids or other commitments. So many people have the freedom to WFH 1-3 days a week who used to be more chained to their desks. That's great. I think there is also greater flexibility with work schedule and employers are a bit more understanding about half days or needing to leave early certain days. At least that's my impression for both my work and DH's.

But I also think people really underestimate the value of in-person work. I don't want it 40 hours a week, but personally I really benefit from being in the office with colleagues at least 2 days a week. Things get done faster, meetings are more productive, and I think it contributes to better culture. I actually like my colleagues, it's good to see them more than we have the last few years. I think people who want 100% WFH often just dislike their jobs. And that's a different problem.

The Crystal City stop has been around a lot longer than Amazon

[Anonymous]

Maybe they are serious about it, but boy has it been an epic cluster of leadership failure. From a heavy handed proclamation all must return without assessing office space (put them in the utility closets? Do they REALLY need wifi?) To hackneyed guidance on enforcement, it's been an absolute mess and they look like fools. All the engineers and they can't integrate a badge system to PTO or leave of absence systems? Sending out threatening emails about not being in the office 3 days a week to people on paternity and medical leave with obvious exceptions was despicable.

[Anonymous]

I've been 100% remote since COVID. I don't dislike my job, but my health is better. I sleep longer, I eat healthier, I have more time to spend with friends(single and childless). I love my job and wfh makes it easier to focus since I'm in a quiet space and I can ping someone if I have a question. Being around people is quite overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is it good? Lots more on the road commuting. They are looking to get rid of folks.

They're opening up a brand-new headquarters right in NOVA why would they be looking to get rid of some people? And who are they bringing from out of town to replace them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they are serious about it, but boy has it been an epic cluster of leadership failure. From a heavy handed proclamation all must return without assessing office space (put them in the utility closets? Do they REALLY need wifi?) To hackneyed guidance on enforcement, it's been an absolute mess and they look like fools. All the engineers and they can't integrate a badge system to PTO or leave of absence systems? Sending out threatening emails about not being in the office 3 days a week to people on paternity and medical leave with obvious exceptions was despicable.

Umm, did they request paternity leave because otherwise that's not legal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they are serious about it, but boy has it been an epic cluster of leadership failure. From a heavy handed proclamation all must return without assessing office space (put them in the utility closets? Do they REALLY need wifi?) To hackneyed guidance on enforcement, it's been an absolute mess and they look like fools. All the engineers and they can't integrate a badge system to PTO or leave of absence systems? Sending out threatening emails about not being in the office 3 days a week to people on paternity and medical leave with obvious exceptions was despicable.

Umm, did they request paternity leave because otherwise that's not legal.

Yes, of course. Emails went out to anyone not in office 3 days a week despite many approved reasons. People out sick with covid? Too bad.

[Anonymous]

28 year old, I can't stand working from home every day. I just want to work home maybe 20-40% of the time, but living in a 500 sq ft apartment alone, its lonely af!