Leaked documents indicate that Amazon workers in Germany will be allowed to request work-from-home arrangements for up to two days per week.
As with many companies, work-from-home arrangements have become common at Amazon during the COVID-19 lockdowns. However, in September Amazon announced an RTO (Return to the Office) mandate, a plan to bring its global workforce back To the office full time.
The biggest startup in the world?
Starting January 2, 2025, all global employees are expected to return to their offices five days a week. The changes were announced in September, with Amazon CEO Andy Jassy saying at the time: “The benefits of being together in the office are significant.”
Jassy said his goal is for Amazon to operate like the largest startup in the world.
In a letter to employees, he said: “This means having a passion for continuous innovation for clients, intense urgency (for most great opportunities, it’s a race!), high ownership, speed of decision-making, frugality, and deeply interconnected collaboration.” (You must be collaborative with your teammates when inventing and solving difficult problems), and a shared commitment to each other.
German note
Business Insider reported on A Leaked memo witnessedThis indicates that Amazon employees in Germany will be able to apply to work from home for one day per week, or two days in exceptional circumstances.
If permission is granted, the arrangement will only be valid for one year. This policy applies to all Amazon workers in Germany, except for those working at Twitch or Audible.
The document distinguishes between formal and informal arrangements. Officially, workers can request up to two days of work from home and change their official working hours.
In contrast, informal arrangements can be made with managers as long as 24 hours notice of the intention to work from home is given. However, Amazon may change any such arrangement at any time.
British unions divided over the Amazon
In Britain, Amazon’s labor practices have received mixed reviews from trade unions.
The Workers’ Union, which describes itself as a non-political union (i.e. not affiliated with the ruling Workers’ Party), I welcomed Amazon’s announcement On the return of employees to the office, saying: “We believe in Amazon’s decision to bring employees back to the office, especially with the recent AWS services.” [Amazon Web Services] The technology arm’s £8bn investment in UK jobs is another example of how the company continues to set high standards for staff retention, wellbeing and productivity.
The union also said: “Amazon has built a reputation as a top employer, offering benefits that many other companies have struggled to match.”
However, Labour’s GMB union has a different view. In September, GMB objected to the government granting more than £1 billion in contracts with Amazon.
Gary Smith, GMB general secretary, said: “The government must be absolutely clear with Amazon – if they want to continue spending hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money, they must treat workers with respect.”
“This means right pay, ending harsh workloads and surveillance that make employees sick, and listening to workers’ voices through their union, GMB.”