Almost 2,000 Amazon employees are planning to participate in a walkout to protest the company’s decision to return to the office. The walkout is scheduled for September 27th and is expected to take place in Seattle, where Amazon’s headquarters are located.
The employees are protesting against Amazon’s decision to require all employees to return to the office by January 2022. This decision was made despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that many employees have been working from home for over a year.
The employees argue that returning to the office is not necessary and could put their health and safety at risk. They also claim that Amazon has not done enough to address their concerns about returning to the office.
In a statement, the employees said, “We believe that Amazon’s plans to return to an ‘office-centric’ culture will have a negative impact on our health, our families, and our communities. We are demanding that Amazon prioritize the health and safety of its employees and allow us to continue working from home.”
Amazon has responded to the planned walkout by saying that it respects the rights of its employees to express their opinions but that it believes returning to the office is necessary for collaboration and innovation.
In a statement, Amazon said, “We have invested significant resources in ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for our employees, including implementing COVID-19 protocols and providing vaccines to all employees. We believe that returning to the office will allow us to continue to innovate and serve our customers more effectively.”
The walkout is just the latest example of employees pushing back against companies’ decisions to return to the office. Many employees have grown accustomed to working from home and are reluctant to give up the flexibility and work-life balance it provides.
As the pandemic continues, it remains to be seen how companies will balance the need for collaboration and innovation with the concerns of their employees about returning to the office. The upcoming walkout at Amazon is a reminder that employees have a voice and are willing to use it to advocate for their health and safety.
