According to recent statements made by various CEOs across corporate America, the remote work benefits many have enjoyed since the pandemic could be coming to an end. CEO of Amazon, Andy Jassy, informed employees at the company that they would be required to return to the office for at least part of the week.
Jassy warned Amazon employees who would not cooperate with the order, stating, “It’s probably not going to work out for you.” The CEO commented earlier this month when he expressed frustration with Amazon employees trying to hold out and continue working remotely despite hybrid in-office mandates.
Although Jassy did not cite any data to justify his statement, he indicated it was his “judgment” call. The chief executive also instructed those unhappy with Amazon’s in-office work plans to leave and find employment elsewhere.
“It’s past the time to disagree and commit,” he said. “And if you can’t disagree and commit, I also understand that, but it’s probably not going to work out for you at Amazon because we are going back to the office at least three days a week, and it’s not right for all of our teammates to be in three days a week and for people to refuse to do so.”
According to Jassy, he has spoken to a variety of other executives, and “virtually all of them” agree that bringing employees back into the office is in the best interest of their respective companies. Reportedly, Amazon employees have revolted against the top-down order, organizing a petition for Jassy to rescind his decision.
The American Tribune recently reported on Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs and similar measures it is taking to bring its employees back to the office. CEO David Solomon recently ended “summer Fridays” at the bank while emphasizing its commitment to getting employees back in the office five days a week.
Jacqueline Arthur, head of Human Resources at Goldman Sachs, stated, “While there is flexibility when needed, we are simply reminding our employees of our existing policy. We have continued to encourage employees to work in the office five days a week.”
Reports had been circulating that the Goldman Sachs headquarters was “totally dead” on Fridays as interns had left for the summer and full-time employees were electing to work-from-home to get a head start on the weekend.
Sharing similar sentiments to Amazon employees, workers at Goldman Sachs have expressed disappointment in Solomon’s plans. “I think David’s really missing (another) trick if he thinks sending out that five-day note at this point will gain friends,” said one employee who indicated he did not intend to follow the company’s updated guidelines.
However, other prominent figures in the business world have different opinions on remote work. “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary recently spoke about how far more workers have stuck with remote work than anticipated, having an outsized impact on the labor market.
O’Leary said, “I want to make a point here about the economy that’s changed because I live and breathe it every day with our portfolio of companies. And getting the data is what’s interesting to me. We found out now, we’ve made the assumption two years ago that 15% wouldn’t return. We’re wrong. It’s 40.”
While it appears hybrid work is here to stay for now, it will be interesting to see how many white-collar companies push for full-time, in-office work in the long run.
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