Amazon is reportedly stepping up pressure on workers to come into the office on mandatory days after employees apparently found new ways to circumvent the requirements.
A report by Business InsiderHe says some Amazon workers have been coming into his offices simply to use the on-site coffee machines and show up at the cash register.
However, Amazon has now adapted to worker avoidance tactics, and the company is believed to be tracking hours spent in the office rather than whether an employee clocked in and out.
Amazon tracks workers' hours
So far, the so-called “coffee badgers” have apparently been relatively successful in avoiding spending entire working days in the office. Amazon's requirement to work in the office varies by job and department, but it is believed that the recommendation is to work three days a week.
The company's chief executive, Andy Jassy, had previously portrayed the requirement to return to the office as something that would not work for those who did not agree with the policy, suggesting they should seek employment elsewhere. It was later revealed that those who did not meet the requirements might not be eligible for promotions and other incentives – a lack of career progression opportunities forced others to leave.
Leaked internal messages seen by Business Insider They now reveal that teams have been given fixed working hours in the offices: some have been asked to be present for two hours, others six.
Despite strict enforcement, Amazon workers have not been afraid to speak out, with many taking to internal communication platforms and online sites to voice their discontent.
An Amazon spokesperson shared the following statement with TechRadar Pro In an email:
“Over a year ago, we asked employees to start coming into the office three or more days a week because we believe that would produce the best long-term results for our customers, our business and our culture. And so it has. The vast majority of employees are in the office more often, there is more energy, connection and collaboration, and that is what we are hearing from employees and the companies around our offices.
“Now that it's been over a year, we're starting to talk directly to employees who weren't regularly spending significant amounts of time in the office to make sure they understand the importance of spending quality time with their colleagues.”
