The Rise and Fall of Remote Work at Amazon: One Engineer's Story
Gazi Jarin, a software engineer, was thrilled to land a fully remote job at Amazon after graduating in 2022. She loved the flexibility, the supportive team, and the opportunity to learn and grow. But her dream job took a turn when Amazon introduced a return-to-office (RTO) policy.
The Drawbacks of a Remote Job at Amazon
While Gazi enjoyed the autonomy of remote work, she did encounter some challenges.
- On-call responsibilities: She was on-call every eight weeks, requiring her to be available 24/7 to address any service outages, sometimes even waking up at 3 a.m.
- Team location differences: Although her team was based in Vancouver, she was located in Toronto, leading to occasional scheduling difficulties.
The Return to Office Policy
In August 2023, Amazon implemented a new RTO policy, requiring employees to come into the office three days a week. While the initial implementation was relaxed, the company eventually began monitoring office attendance, making compliance a necessity.
The Return to Hub Policy and Relocation Demand
Later, Amazon introduced a return to hub (RTH) policy, demanding employees to relocate to the same city as their team members. For Gazi, this meant a choice between moving to Vancouver or Seattle, with the latter offering a pay bump and visa sponsorship.
Choosing a Life Over a Paycheck
Despite the financial incentives, Gazi decided to stay in Toronto. She didn't want to uproot her life and felt the move wasn't necessary for her job, which primarily involved coding on her computer. She found another job at Pinterest, offering a higher salary and the opportunity to stay in her hometown.
The Importance of Employee Choice
Gazi's experience highlights the importance of employee choice in remote work. She believes that while in-person work has its benefits, it shouldn't be a requirement. Companies should prioritize employee autonomy and allow individuals to decide where they work based on their preferences and circumstances.
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