Inside Amazon's Office Return: A Workforce Divided
Plus, five 2025 future of work predictions with Julia Hobsbawm
👋 Happy Tuesday! A November survey of more than 1,000 employees from the labor union coalition Strategic Organizing Center found that 48% of Amazon employees impacted by the 2025 RTO mandate have applied to other jobs, while 68% were “somewhat likely” or “very likely” to leave the company within the next year.
In this week’s edition:
🏢 Amazon’s 2025 RTO Plans Go Live
📊 Top 5 Least Flexible Industries
🔮 Future of Work 2025 Predictions
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THIS WEEK’S FLEX FOCUS 🔍
Amazon Workers Return to the Office & Business Leaders Are Watching
Amazon has officially implemented its five-day return-to-office policy. CEO Andy Jassy's September announcement, aimed at fostering better collaboration and innovation, has met with considerable employee resistance. A Glassdoor poll revealed that nearly 75% of Amazon professionals are reconsidering their future with the company, while a Strategic Organizing Center survey indicated that almost half have already begun job hunting elsewhere.
While most remote-capable businesses maintain hybrid arrangements, Amazon's move could trigger a broader corporate trend. The tech giant's transition faces logistical challenges, with several major locations unprepared for full-time office work until mid-2025. The policy's impact is being closely watched by business leaders, as indicated by KPMG's survey showing increased CEO support for office-based work. Other major companies, including AT&T and The Washington Post, have announced similar policies.
This shift could represent a pivotal moment in workplace evolution, potentially influencing companies' approaches to remote work throughout 2025. However, with 87% of surveyed Amazon employees believing their productivity will decline under the new policy, the success of this traditional office-centric approach remains to be seen.
FLEX WORK QUICK HITS 💥
Stay ahead of the curve with our curated roundup of the trending flexible work stories making waves right now. Here's what you need to know 👇
Bloomberg: JPMorgan Chase plans a full five-day office return, ending hybrid work for thousands of employees.
Business Insider: AT&T's new five-day return-to-office mandate has stumbled in its initial rollout as employees face significant challenges with limited desk space, parking shortages, and elevator capacity issues.
Forbes: Remote work offers better work-life balance and productivity when leaders focus on outcomes rather than physical presence.
Phys.org: New research shows digital surveillance of remote workers doesn't boost productivity, but clear management communication does.
STAT OF THE WEEK 📈
Top 5 Least Flexible Industries
Restaurants & Food Services companies are most likely to require Full Time In Office for corporate employees. The Education and Hospitality industries round out the top three.
Not surprisingly, the broader Real Estate industry also makes the top five in requiring Full Time In Office. Transportation & Automotive comes in at fourth most likely to require Full Time In Office.
FLEXPERT INSIGHTS 🧠
An Expert’s View on the Future of Work in 2025
In her forecast for 2025, futurologist Julia Hobsbawm envisions a workplace revolution: AI officers in boardrooms, data analytics taking center stage, and offices transforming into village-like spaces. Despite current corporate resistance, she maintains flexible work is here to stay, with companies pivoting from formal DEI programs to practical fairness—all while workers navigate a tightening job market through upskilling and adaptation.
FLEX PERSPECTIVES 🎙️
ICYMI: What Hybrid Teams Can Learn from Fully Remote Companies | Brett Putter
In this episode of Flex Perspectives, Rob Sadow is joined by Brett Putter, Found and CEO of Culturegene, a culture consultancy that leverages strategy and culture to improve hybrid and remote work performance. Brett's unique perspective on the future of work combines 10+ years of culture development with his work with and research into successful remote work companies.
Check out the full episode to learn:
How world-leading fully remote companies like HotJar and GitLab build culture
Best practices from fully remote companies that hybrid companies should adopt
Why hybrid leaders need to be more intentional about how they implement hybrid work
Also available on Apple Podcasts.
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT ✨
UFG Insurance, also known as United Fire Group, is a US-based multi-line insurance company providing both personal and business insurance products, along with surety bonds. With its headquarters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, UFG also operates additional offices across the country. Corporate employees are expected to go into an office on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
ONE MORE THING 1️⃣
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