Amazon is implementing a new policy known as the “return-to-hub” policy, which requires employees to relocate to designated central locations, called hubs, associated with their respective teams. These hubs are situated in Seattle, New York, Houston, and Austin, Texas. Employees who refuse to move to one of these hubs will be given two options: either find a new position within the company that allows them to stay in their current city, or leave the company through voluntary resignation.
Amazon’s “Return-to-Hub” Policy
The company’s aim is to promote more in-person work, as they believe that face-to-face collaboration leads to better results. In the past, Amazon had assigned individual offices for most employees, but this new policy assigns hubs for entire teams, making physical presence more essential.
This move has come as a surprise to some employees, especially those who were initially hired for remote positions or moved to different locations during the pandemic. Prior to the announcement of the return-to-hub policy, Amazon had indicated that it would not force people to return to the office immediately.
Policy Sparks Employee Frustration and Disillusionment
Employees who decline to join a hub are given a 60-day period to find a new team that allows them to remain in their current city. If they are unsuccessful in finding such a position within 60 days, it will be considered a voluntary resignation. The deadline for making this decision is set for August.
Amazon acknowledges that there may be exceptions and states that relocation benefits will be available. Some roles, like sales and customer support, may still be allowed to work remotely.
Despite these measures, many employees are frustrated with the policy change. Earlier, some employees expressed their discontent by signing a petition to reverse the mandate, but it was rejected by Amazon’s HR chief. The decision has left many employees feeling disillusioned and questioning the company’s commitment to being an employee-centric and ethical employer.
