The digital age ushered in a wave of companies offering remote positions. This shift to remote and hybrid work was increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Large and small companies alike embraced this shift, offering employees the option to work remotely. However, more and more companies are now requiring their workforce to return to the office, including Amazon.
Amazon’s Return to the Office
For the past 15 months, Amazon has operated under a hybrid work model. Employees were required to work in the office three days a week and work from home two days. This is about to change as Amazon CEO Andy Jassy sent out a memo mandating employees return to the office five days a week starting in 2025.
Why Companies are Returning to the Office
Amazon is just one of many large companies changing their business model to require employees to return to in-person work. Disney, JPMorgan, X, and many more have asked employees to work at the office.
Companies credit the business model change to remote work offering less community, communication, and collaboration. The decisions are not based solely on opinion.
A study conducted by Harvard economists, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and the University of Iowa found that team members received 22% more feedback when working in close proximity. Even having one employee out of the office reduced feedback.
The Future of Remote Career Opportunities
Despite the decrease in remote job opportunities, it’s important to note that they are still more prevalent than before COVID-19. Over 11% of United States job listings in the first half of 2024 were remote, significantly higher than the 4.25% of opportunities job seekers had in 2019.
Still, it is evident that many companies are reconsidering remote and hybrid business models. For now, employees at Amazon and several other Fortune 500 companies will be returning to work in person.