Amazon exec says in-office work ‘is better’—research paints a different picture

The news: Despite Amazon’s reputation for being a data-driven company, its SVP of Video and Studios, Mike Hopkins, said during a recent internal meeting that “no data” was used to support its return-to-office mandate.

• “It’s time to disagree and commit. We’re here, we’re back—and it’s working. I don’t have data to back it up, but I know it’s better,” Hopkins said, per Insider.
• Frustrated employees vented on the company Slack channel, with one commenting, “What embarrassingly poor leadership,” while others questioned the accuracy of the “no data” claim.
• Hopkins’ statements follow Amazon implementing a strict return-to-hub policy in addition to its earlier return-to-office mandate.

What the data shows: There is research on return-to-office requirements, but contrary to Hopkins’ claim, it doesn’t point to better outcomes.

• 42% of companies with return-to-office mandates witnessed a higher level of employee attrition than they anticipated, and 29% are struggling with recruitment, according to Unispace, per Fortune.
• 76% of employees are ready to quit if their employers abandon flexible work schedules, and 42% say they’d reject roles that lack flexibility, according to a Greenhouse report.
• A Federal Reserve survey found that shifting from a flexible work model to a traditional one is as unpopular as a 2% to 3% pay cut.

An underlying tension: The ecommerce giant doesn’t like remote work, but it likely benefits from it. The rise of flexible working arrangements could be helping keep a recession at bay. It’s contributing to greater job access and reducing costs for both employers and employees, which in turn bolsters consumer spending.

Not committed: Amazon might be unconcerned about attrition but it does expect quality, loyalty, and commitment from workers it wants to retain.

• An influx of Amazon employees venting on the Blind app about a punishing corporate culture and a tendency for employees to cry at their desks is an indicator of a troubled workforce.
• Amazon could take steps to bolster the employee dedication it needs to stay competitive by seeking employee input about return-to-office challenges and adjusting policies accordingly.