In all-hands meeting, Amazon CEO says RTO mandate not a 'backdoor layoff'
Briefly

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy emphasized that the company's strict return-to-office (RTO) policy is not a cost-saving measure. He explained it aims to strengthen company culture, stating, 'This was not a cost play for us. This is very much about our culture and strengthening our culture.' Jassy's comments come amid rumors among employees suggesting the RTO policy was a tactic for 'quiet firing,' which he firmly denied.
During the all-hands meeting, Jassy acknowledged the concerns of employees regarding the new RTO policy, describing it as a significant 'adjustment' that the company needs to navigate. He underscored that Amazon's decision reflects a commitment to fostering innovation and cultural cohesion rather than cutting costs. He added, 'I understand it is a big adjustment,' reinforcing the idea that the return to the office is seen as beneficial for team dynamics.
Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services, indicated in a previous staff meeting that the response to the RTO policy is mixed. While Garman noted that 9 out of 10 employees he spoke with were 'excited' about returning to the office, the situation is complicated by a significant internal petition protesting the move, showing a notable resistance within the workforce to the new policy.
Jassy expressed his hope that in the future, leadership would not need to monitor employees' office attendance through 'individual badging data and other workarounds,' suggesting a desire for a more seamless approach to workplace attendance and culture, wherein employees feel more intrinsically motivated to be present in the office.
Read at Business Insider
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