Amazon workers protest the company’s return-to-office police at the Spheres in Seattle on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Jeff Pohjola/KNWN)
(SEATTLE, Wash.) — Several hundred employees from Amazon’s corporate headquarters used their lunch hour Wednesday to object to the company’s return-to-office policy.
Since the pandemic, many tech workers have been allowed to work from home, but several weeks ago the company started requiring employees to be in the office at least three days a week.
“I either was in meetings at all hours of the day, I was stuck in hours-long traffic getting to the office, I would spend eight-plus hours at that office, only to be stuck in hours-long traffic yet again on the way home,” said one of the protesters. “When I think about trying to fit return-to-office back into my life I realize that I simply can’t afford it.”
Climate change was also an issue for protesters. Many of them saying Amazon is not doing enough. Others argued that requiring employees to commute to the headquarters in downtown Seattle only produces more greenhouse gasses.
In a statement, Amazon says the return to office policy has been overwhelmingly popular, but they support their employee’s rights to protest.
