Amazon to Require Corporate Workers to Return to In-Office Work and Reduce Number of Managers

Amazon is making a significant change to its remote work policy, requiring employees to return to the office starting in January 2025. In a memo from CEO Andy Jassy, it was stated that corporate workers would be expected to be in-office five days a week, with exceptions granted only for “extenuating circumstances” or upon approval from the company’s senior executives, known as the “S-team.” This new requirement is an update to a previous policy implemented in February 2023, which mandated that employees spend at least three days a week in the office.

Jassy explained that the decision to bring employees back to the office was based on the belief that in-person work is better for communication, innovation, and building a strong company culture. He stated, “If anything, the last 15 months we’ve been back in the office at least three days a week has strengthened our conviction about the benefits.” This move by Amazon aligns with other high-profile companies, such as UPS and Boeing, which have also rolled back remote work policies in favor of in-person connections.

In addition to the return to in-office work, Amazon plans to streamline its corporate structure by reducing the number of managers. Jassy aims to increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers in each S-team organization by at least 15 percent by the end of the first quarter of 2025. This change is a response to the rapid expansion of Amazon’s workforce during the pandemic, which led to an increase in the number of managers. Jassy believes that having fewer managers will remove unnecessary layers and flatten the organization, allowing for quicker decision-making and reducing inefficiencies.

To further address inefficiencies within the company, Jassy introduced a “bureaucracy mailbox,” an email alias where employees can report any unnecessary processes or excessive rules they encounter. He promised to personally read these emails and take appropriate action. This initiative is part of Amazon’s larger effort to operate like a startup, with simplified decision-making, streamlined processes, and a shared commitment to each other.

By implementing these changes, Jassy aims to create a more agile and efficient work environment at Amazon. The company, which employed over 1.53 million people by the end of 2023, wants its employees to feel empowered to move quickly without unnecessary processes and meetings. Jassy’s focus on reducing layers of management and fostering in-person collaboration reflects his commitment to driving innovation and maintaining a strong company culture. As Amazon joins other companies in prioritizing in-person connections, it remains to be seen how this shift will impact the future of remote work in corporate America.