Amazon Employees Turn to “Rage Applying” Amid RTO Mandate

 

As Amazon CEO Andy Jassy enforces a new mandate requiring employees to return to the office full-time starting next year, many workers are expressing their frustrations by “rage applying” for jobs elsewhere. This backlash comes after reports emerged that employees learned about the new directive through news articles rather than direct communication from management.

Laura, an Amazon employee who adapted to remote work during her time with the company, expressed her disbelief and disappointment upon learning the news. “I’ve lost so much trust in Amazon leadership at this point,” she shared with Fortune magazine. The new mandate, which demands a five-day-a-week office presence, means she would have to add an additional four hours to her weekly commute.

Initially shocked, Laura has since resolved to move on from Amazon. “After all, who expects to get career-altering news from a news article instead of your employer?” she lamented. Laura had been hired during the pandemic with the understanding that remote work would be a lasting arrangement.

This sentiment is echoed by other employees who feel similarly trapped by the new rules. Luca, who joined the company in May, stated, “I left a decent company I live near to go to Amazon since it was working from home.” He emphasized that he enjoys his role at Amazon but now faces the reality of needing to find a more stable position due to the new commuting requirements.

Jared, another recent hire, has changed his LinkedIn status to #OpenToWork, indicating his readiness to seek new opportunities. He criticized the mandate for its lack of flexibility, stating, “The new policy does not respect the needs of employees to take care of their health, their family, or work-life balance. I will not go back.”

The response to the Return to Office (RTO) mandate highlights a growing dissatisfaction among Amazon employees, many of whom are exploring new job opportunities to regain the flexibility they once enjoyed.

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