Mike Manalac, CPA’s Post

I have some thoughts to share on this. First, wrapping up mandatory return to office with workforce reduction shows that #Amazon expects that Managers who do not agree with the new mandate will naturally walk away, reducing the need for culling through layoffs or Focus/PIP to fulfill the new reduction targets. Second, the Bureaucracy Mailbox, in the context it has been announced, just sounds to me like an invitation for people to turn on each other, illustrative of the current company culture. Last but not least: a shout-out to all Managers at Amazon: if you happen to be placed on Focus all of a sudden, remember: it is not your fault. You showed up, you delivered, you lived your life by the company’s credo. Seek for the help and support of those who love you the most and carry on. Those are difficult times and my thoughts and prayers go to all those who will be impacted by these new policies.

Today, I've been reading a lot about Amazon's Return to Office mandate on my LinkedIn bubble. I see loads of posts where people question Amazon's strategic view. Many people pointed to the spike in "open to work" statuses as if Amazon hadn't anticipated this. Here's a thought-provoking angle: in times of tight company margins, voluntary attrition could be seen by some strategists as an efficient way to reduce headcount and salary expenses (therefore improving margins and the bottom line) without the typical costs—financial, morale, reputational, or emotional for the people affected—associated with layoffs. So, it's possible this decision was calculated and strategic and considered the expected turnover. #LeadershipStrategy #WorkplaceTrends #Amazon #BusinessDecisions #CorporateStrategy #ReturnToOffice #WorkforceManagement #EmployeeEngagement #Attrition

Amazon wants fewer managers. CEO Andy Jassy believes it will root out bureaucracy. During an internal all-hands meeting on Tuesday, Jassy explained why the company recently announced a plan to reduce the number of managers. The goal is to make faster decisions and reduce management layers that are killing Amazon's unique culture, he said during the meeting, a recording of which was obtained by Business Insider. Amazon went on a massive hiring spree during the pandemic, which created "more layers" that "stretched" the company and led to a slower decision-making culture. "The goal again is to allow us to have higher ownership and to move more quickly," Jassy said. Jassy also addressed a number of employee questions, including the rationale behind a strict new return-to-office mandate. Read more about Amazon's plans on BI: https://lnkd.in/eN69w854 (Credit: Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI) #amazon #management #returntooffice #rto #careers

🚨 Big Moves and News from Amazon! 🚨 HEAR ME OUT! Amazon's CEO just announced a full return to office starting January 2nd, 2025. Could this mark the beginning of the end for work-from-home? 🤔 The question is, will other companies follow suit? Or is this a strategic move to trim the workforce without resorting to layoffs? After all, the cheapest way to reduce headcount is by announcing something unpopular—if employees quit, they don't receive severance. But the most eye-opening part of the CEO's message was the acknowledgment that Amazon has too many managers. While the return to office is framed as a push for better collaboration, innovation, and brainstorming, the real focus might be on cutting management layers to increase speed and efficiency. Amazon is now looking for individual contributors over managers. Is this the future of the tech workforce? Do you agree or disagree with this move? Is anyone at Amazon willing to share their thoughts? Would love to hear perspectives from inside the company. 👇 #itsnotyouitsthemarket #Amazon #ReturnToOffice #WorkFromHome #TechIndustry #FutureOfWork #Management

No matter what they’re saying over at Amazon, the data shows that your best talent may leave if you force them to RTO (return to office). In fact, an in-progress study from the University of Chicago has found that 73% of Amazon employees were considering switching jobs after the announcement that all of the company’s people would be expected back to the office full time. “Hmmm, Michael, will they really leave, though?" That's definitely a good question, and only time will tell. In the meantime, the study also looked at three companies that mandated RTO before the tech layoffs began in late 2022. It found that long-tenured and more senior employees were more likely to leave as a result of RTO. And they often left to join competitors. The job market has since changed, so it’s impossible to correlate these findings with what will happen at Amazon and other companies that mandate a return to office in the current climate and economy. But there’s some truth evident in this study, for sure. However, as a recruiter who works with companies every single day, I do recognize that even with a certain amount of attrition — and sometimes even as a result of it — the fact of returning to the office can be more beneficial than harmful. #HRnews #RTOnews

Amazon said today it would require employees to return to the office five days per week, effective Jan. 2, 2025. In addition, managers will be required to perform 15% more work by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Why? Rumour has it that layoffs were coming and this is a way to get a Reduction in Force, as some resignations are expected. Is this a good strategy? #Amazon #RTO

Amazon… 😳 This seemingly unhinged plan in my opinion, seems all over the place and a company coming soon 🤷🏻 in 2025. This new company “aura” that must translate to customers & employees is expected and determined to cut around 14,000 managerial roles by early next year as part of an effort to save an estimated $3 billion each year. CEO Andy Jassy, a somewhat unapologetic & objectionable absolute person seems to have a very callous view of managerial personnel👨🏻💻and their🧑🏼💻steadfast importance of their mastery and hierarchy🤴. Customer service disconcern and what often are costly decisions with important volume customers and company buyers. I believe overreaching semi-trained shot in the dark 🙏🏽 possible overwhelmed employees/mandated as managers is a bizarre move. These non-proven hard core beliefs without merit will ruin a customers experience, time and make each party decide on quick haphazard decisions. What about the employees? Amazon, you are leaving many dedicated employees true hard work and experiences, livliehood and backgrounds questioned as they take their office plant and coffee cup while their seat chair🪑is still warm… what message are you sending all employees? Based on my belief, research and knowledge the actions and words of Mr. Jassy’s time is without a doubt numbered in time as well… 🕘 **As always please feel free to join in the conversation and comment respectfully.

I read the message from Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, to his employees about their pending full time return to office. Here’s my take: “...continuing to make progress on our cost structure and operating margins...” – we have overspent and we are cutting costs. “The number of people we’ve hired the last 6-8 years... it’s pretty unusual...” – we have over hired. “...increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers by at least 15% by the end of Q1 2025. Having fewer managers...” – we could do with letting some people go. “...we’ve decided that we’re going to return to being in the office...” – feel free to leave if you don’t like that. Andy is clear in his message that he wants the company to be “scrappy”, “frugal” and less bureaucratic, although it’s a bit hard to position yourself as the scrappy-underdog-start-up when you did $500bn in revenue last year. It’s a shame, people will leave. But in the short term that could be what he wants for the business. Amazon will always have people queuing up to work for them. Because they are Amazon... 

"Unintended consequences?" I think they meant "intended consequences." The article says, "Amazon's new policy appears to be backfiring, as the company’s employees are starting to look for the nearest exit." Many critics of the new 5-day #RTO mandate suspect that the entire goal was to get people to quit. So are the consequences unintended or completely and utterly intended? As a leader of a remote-first company myself, my personal approach to leadership is rooted in trust, transparency, autonomy, and treating people like the adults they are. Frankly, it's not just better for business, it's a heck of a lot more fun. It's also the right thing to do. Of course, I'm sure there's a segment of the employee base that loves working from an office and is happy with Amazon's announcement. But for everyone else who is negatively impacted, my heart goes out to you. I'm happy to be an ear or a shoulder — just shoot me a DM. I also have connections to great companies (our customers share our values) who offer flexibility and may be hiring.

I saw this headline this week: “Angry Amazon employees are revolting against CEO Any Jassy’s 5-day return to work mandate - ‘rage applying’ for new jobs in droves.” First, I love to phrase ‘rage applying.’ It’s easy to visualize! This entire story is a red herring. It’s obvious to me that Amazon expected, in fact, wanted employees to quit when they announced this policy. It’s much cheaper and better optics than the layoff they clearly needed. Executives with external commitments will still come and go as they please. Senior ICs, like principal engineers, will continue to do what they want. These rules don’t apply to them. They never have, and they never will. Over time, this policy will loosen for all remaining employees. So, it’s mostly a RIF in sheep’s clothing. 🐑