Amazon is reportedly hitting pause on its return-to-office (RTO) plans due to a shortage of office space. The company had originally planned to bring all employees back to the office five days a week starting Jan. 2, 2025, but certain locations are not yet prepared to accommodate the full workforce. Employees in cities like Atlanta, Houston, Nashville, and New York have received notifications that they can continue with their hybrid work arrangements until their offices are ready. The delays could extend as far as May, though Amazon expects the majority of workspaces to be prepared by January. In mid-October, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman reinforced the rigid in-office policy, claiming that innovation could not happen “if we’re not in person.” That statement quickly faced backlash from employees, particularly those used to the flexibility of remote work, who said they were “appalled” by the remarks. The new five-day policy is also stricter than what existed before the pandemic – and more rigid than some of Amazon’s competitors.
