In a sweeping move aimed at reshaping its corporate workforce structure, Amazon has issued a stark ultimatum to nearly 350,000 of its employees: relocate to one of its key hub cities or resign—without severance pay.
According to reports, corporate workers must move to major operational centers in Seattle, Arlington (Virginia), or Washington, D.C., as part of the company’s intensified push for in-person work. Amazon has justified the decision as a strategic step to boost collaboration, innovation, and productivity, which it claims have suffered in the remote work era.
The e-commerce giant, known for its high operational efficiency and aggressive expansion, views the physical proximity of employees as essential for maintaining its competitive edge.
The mandate, however, has raised eyebrows across the tech industry, with critics arguing that the move may lead to mass resignations, affect morale, and disproportionately impact employees with personal or financial constraints preventing relocation. The lack of a severance package for those unwilling or unable to move has sparked further concern and backlash online.
Amazon’s return-to-office (RTO) policy is in line with similar actions taken by other tech giants like Google and Meta, both of which have recently rolled out stricter in-office attendance requirements. However, Amazon’s scale—impacting nearly one-third of its global corporate staff—marks one of the most extensive RTO mandates to date.
While the company claims the decision aligns with long-term business goals and employee performance metrics, it remains to be seen how the mass relocation directive will affect retention and recruitment in the months ahead.