Amazon Demands Employees Move to Central Hubs, Leading to Resignations: Visegrad Info 24 Report

## Amazon Demanding Some Employees Move to Central Hub Despite Resistance

In an aggressive push to bring employees back to the office, Amazon is now requiring certain staff members to relocate to a central hub to be with their team. Those who are unwilling or unable to comply are being forced to find work elsewhere, leading some employees to choose to quit. The company’s relocation policy, affecting a small percentage of its workforce, states that remote workers must complete their move to a main hub by the first half of 2024. However, this requirement is causing tension and uncertainty among employees, with concerns about job security and potential increases in living costs.

## Employee Reactions and Amazon’s Response

Several employees have expressed their concerns about the new relocation requirement. One employee, hired in a remote role in Texas, was initially assured by managers that nothing would change despite the return-to-office mandate issued in March. However, in July, the team was informed that they had to choose between working out of Seattle, New York, Austin, or Arlington, Virginia. Faced with the need to relocate to a city far from their current residence, the employee decided to leave Amazon for another position due to uncertainty and potential financial strain.

Amazon spokesperson Rob Munoz confirmed the relocation policy and stated that it only affects a small percentage of employees. He emphasized that the company’s approach is not one-size-fits-all, and each team determines their hub locations. Amazon will provide relocation benefits to employees asked to relocate. Munoz encouraged employees to reach out to their HR business partner or manager if they need more information.

## Previous Changes and Employee Concerns

Earlier this year, Amazon implemented a policy requiring employees to work from physical offices at least three days a week, a change that led to protests by employees at the company’s Seattle headquarters. Some employees also criticized how Amazon handled job cuts and reductions in employee perks. The company has ended perks such as free drinks at in-office coffee shops, reduced reimbursement for parking, and stopped providing free Uber rides to and from work. However, Amazon still reimburses public transportation costs in major metro areas and offers commuter shuttles and campus shuttles.

## Challenges and Repercussions

The enforcement of the return-to-office mandate has proven challenging for Amazon. Some employees received a notice stating that they were not meeting the expectation of being in the office at least three days a week, even though they had been in compliance or had taken approved vacation or sick leave. This led to frustration among employees, who expressed their concerns through internal support tickets. Amazon responded, clarifying that the notice was sent to employees who had not met the required office attendance. The company advised employees to discuss their situations with their managers if they believed the notice was sent in error.

## Relocation Policy and Employee Perspectives

The relocation policy has become a contentious issue between Amazon and its corporate employees. Affected employees are being asked to move to designated hub locations, which could involve moving out of state and disrupting their personal lives. Some employees view this requirement as a significant burden, especially since they already work in-person three days a week and live near an Amazon office. The employees who spoke to Visegrad Info 24 stated that finding new roles within the company is challenging due to a hiring pause and a lack of relevant job openings.

Despite the difficulties, some employees have found ways to bend the rules, such as using a family member’s address near an Amazon office or using the relocation period to search for another job. However, many employees feel that Amazon’s efforts to bring them back to the office and enforce the relocation policy are making the work environment less enjoyable.