Amazon delays return to office policy for some US workers due to lack of office space

Frustrated unhappy laptop user girl touching head at work table with computer

(Image credit: Shutterstock / fizkes)

Amazon had announced full-time RTO mandate for January 2025
But the company still isn’t ready for the influx of desk workers
Some workers are worried RTOs are designed to push them away

Amazon’s return-to-office (RTO) policy has apparently been paused because the company doesn’t have enough office space in some locations.

New reports by Bloomberg and Business Insider state that insufficient office space in several of the ecommerce giant’s US locations has caused the temporary pause.

Already a controversial move that sparked widespread worker dissatisfaction, the news follows CEO Andy Jassy’s September announcement that workers would transition from their previous three-day office-working policy to a full-time mandate, which left a bitter taste in the mouths of many.

Amazon’s RTO isn’t working

The move would require workers to be in the office five days per week starting January 2, 2025, yet weeks before the policy is set to be enforced, and with office set to shut over Christmas and the New Year, the company has failed to provide enough office space.

Jassy had hoped that bringing people back into the office would enable better collaboration, cohesion and social benefits. The policy is more akin to pre-pandemic working setups, with assigned desks, rather than more flexible measures that have followed in the post-pandemic world of hybrid working.

Due to capacity limitations in offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Nashville, New York and Phoenix, some staff have been told that they might not need to go in full-time for another four months.

The company told TechRadar Pro in an email:

"Regarding returning to the office, for the vast majority of Amazonians, buildings will be ready on Jan. 2, 2025, but for some locations, there may be different timelines. We’re communicating directly with employees in those locations."

Employees who were previously working remotely, or a hybrid of the two, have previously expressed concerns that returning to the office full-time would make it difficult for them. Many would have to relocate or change their lifestyles to suit, with some believing that RTO mandates are rolling out across tech giants, including Amazon, to get workers to resign.

News that the company has not prepared enough office space certainly reflects that sentiment, but this could just be a coincidence. TechRadar Pro put that notion to Amazon, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!