Amazon did not announce that employees would automatically be treated as having resigned if they refused to return to the office. The remark behind the headline came from Matt Garman, then CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), who told employees that people who did not want to work in the in-person environment could work for other companies. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy had announced the five-day office expectation the month before.
What did Amazon say about employees who did not want to return?
At an AWS all-hands meeting on October 17, 2024, Garman said: “If there are people who just don’t work well in that environment and don’t want to, that’s okay, there are other companies around.” The remark was reported by Ars Technica; it was an executive’s comment to employees, not a formal Amazon policy announcement.
In practical terms, Garman was saying that employees who opposed the in-person environment could choose to work elsewhere. The available reporting does not establish that Amazon declared refusal to comply an automatic resignation, or that employees were required to quit immediately.
What was Amazon’s five-day office expectation?
On September 16, 2024, Jassy announced that Amazon expected employees to work from the office five days a week, beginning January 2, 2025. The prior expectation had been three office days a week for roughly 15 months. Jassy’s announcement is available in Amazon’s official memo, and contemporaneous coverage appeared at CNBC.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- 【Power up Easily with Built-in Charging Station】Stay fully charged with 4 AC outlets, 1 USB port, and 1 Type-C port—perfect for your laptop, phone, speakers, gaming console, or desk lamp. The reversible design of the l shape desk lets you place the power strip on either side of the wide desk, so your cables stay neat and your devices stay powered no matter how you set up your space
- 【More Storage, Less Mess】3 fabric drawers of the computer desk with drawers give you hidden space for notebooks, controllers, pens, and office or gaming accessories—keeping your desktop clean and focused. The 3-tier metal mesh shelf underneath is strong enough for a CPU tower, printer, books, files, or gaming gear. Everything has a place
- 【Deeper & Roomier L-Shaped Desktop】With a 19.7" extra-deep desktop, you get more working room for dual monitors, drawing tablets, speakers, or gaming equipment. The fully reversible layout lets you choose left- or right-hand orientation to fit your room perfectly—no more struggling to match the home office desk to your space
- 【Built for Bedroom, Study, or Gaming Room】Whether you're building a cozy study desk corner, a productive home office, or an immersive gaming station, this large desk fits right in. The sturdy metal frame and high-quality particleboard deliver great durability with scratch-resistant & waterproof performance. Adjustable feet keep the desk steady even on slightly uneven floors
- 【Easy to Assemble】We include clearly labeled parts, step-by-step instructions, and all the tools you need. You can finish installation of the l shaped desk with storage faster than exception
The company’s policy had changed over time. Amazon described a flexible, team-leader-set approach in 2021, moved to a three-day corporate expectation in 2023, then announced the five-day expectation in 2024.
| Policy stage | Expected office schedule | Timing and context |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 approach | Team leaders determined where teams worked | Amazon’s announcement described a more flexible approach. Amazon, 2021 |
| 2023 policy | Three days a week | Amazon’s corporate attendance expectation before the 2024 announcement. CNBC, 2023 |
| September 2024 announcement | Five days a week | Announced September 16, 2024, with a planned start date of January 2, 2025. Amazon’s official memo |
What reasons did Amazon give for bringing employees into the office?
Jassy said Amazon believed in-person work had significant advantages. He wrote: “We’ve observed that it’s easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice, and strengthen our culture; collaborating, brainstorming, and inventing are simpler and more effective; teaching and learning from one another are more seamless; and, teams tend to be better connected to one another.” Those are the company’s stated reasons for the policy, not independently established findings about its effects.
Rank #2
- Electric Height Adjustment – Sit or Stand Any Time: Quiet motor (under 52 dB) with memory presets. Easily switch between sitting and standing from 28.3" to 46.5" to help reduce sedentary time
- Sturdy & Stable – Stays Solid at Full Height: Strong steel frame remains stable even when fully extended. Performance may vary slightly by floor type and load weight, but reliable for daily work, gaming, or study
- Spacious 55" Desktop with Cable Management: Large 55-inch surface fits multiple monitors and gear. Built-in cable management keeps cords tidy for a clean, organized workspace
- Quiet & Smooth Height Adjustment: Powerful motor enables seamless height changes and stable transitions, helping create a peaceful workspace that sparks creativity
- Easy Assembly & Great Value: Clear instructions and straightforward setup in 10–30 minutes. Offers electric height adjustment, memory presets, and solid build quality(The desktop is composed of two boards)
Did the announcement allow remote-work exceptions?
Yes. Jassy’s memo said remote work could be allowed in extenuating circumstances, such as an illness or household emergency. It also recognized employees with an approved Remote Work Exception; the memo said such exceptions were to be approved through the employee’s S-team leader. The announcement did not establish whether those exceptions later expanded or changed.
How did employees react?
A 2024 Blind survey, reported by Ars Technica, found that 73% of 2,585 surveyed Amazon employees said they were considering looking for another job because of the mandate. In the same survey, 32% said they knew someone who had already quit because of the policy. These are survey responses, not an audited count of departures or a representative companywide estimate. The sources cited here do not establish how many Amazon employees actually left because of the five-day expectation.
Rank #3
- 【Simple Desk】Enjoy a simple yet spacious work space with this sleek rustic-brown desk. Measuring 54''x19.7''x29.5'', it is the perfect solution for your study, kid's room, or home office. With a wide desktop, it accommodates your computer, calendar, lamp, and other essentials, leaving enough room to enjoy a cup of coffee
- 【Versatile Desk】Whether you need a large office desk, a bedroom desk, a gaming setup, or a desk for your child's room, this versatile desk fits seamlessly into any space, serving multiple purposes with ease
- 【Reinforced Structure】Crafted from durable particleboard and thick steel tubes, this work from home desk offers a stable and sturdy structure. Reinforcement struts beneath the tabletop provide additional stability, ensuring its longevity for working or gaming
- 【Variety of Styles and Colors】Featuring a selection of 5 on-trend hues - sleek grey, black, warm rustic brown, a unique blend of rustic brown and black for a distinctive look, and white - along with multiple sizes, this home desk is designed to effortlessly match any home decor theme and enhance a wide range of design aesthetics
- 【Easy Assembly】Say goodbye to complicated setups. This PC desk has a simple structure, visually demonstrative instruction and provided tools, and it will be finished in less than 40 minutes
What is known about the policy now?
The cited reporting documents the September 2024 announcement and Garman’s October 2024 remarks. It does not verify the policy’s enforcement status, later changes, or exception rules as of October 2026. Employees should not infer from Garman’s comment alone that declining the policy automatically counted as resignation; the sources do not establish that outcome.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- One-Touch Height Adjustment: Easily adjust the FEZIBO electric standing desk from 28.3" to 46.5". With 3 customizable memory presets, switch seamlessly between sitting and standing. Ideal for home offices, gaming setups, study areas, and productive workspaces
- Outstanding Stability: Built with a reinforced steel frame, this 47.2" x 23.6" standing desk supports up to 176 lbs, providing a sturdy and wobble-free workspace at any height
- Powerful Motor: Uprated lifting performance with reliable long-term operation, tested for up to 50,000 lift cycles, with lower noise levels under 45dB during running
- Multiple Sizes & Colors: Crafted from FSC-certified wood for a sustainable choice, the splice desktop comes in a range of sizes to fit small spaces or larger setups. Multiple color options make it easy to match your home office, bedroom, or workspace style
- Effortless Assembly: Most components come pre-assembled for quick, hassle-free setup. With a detailed manual and video guide, you can setup in just about 30 minutes and start working comfortably
Rank #4
- Electric Height Adjustment – Sit or Stand Any Time: Quiet motor (under 52 dB) with memory presets. Easily switch between sitting and standing from 28.3" to 46.5" to help reduce sedentary time
- Sturdy & Stable – Stays Solid at Full Height: Strong steel frame remains stable even when fully extended. Performance may vary slightly by floor type and load weight, but reliable for daily work, gaming, or study
- Spacious Desktop with Cable Management: Large surface fits multiple monitors and gear. Built-in cable management keeps cords tidy for a clean, organized workspace
- Quiet & Smooth Height Adjustment: Powerful motor enables seamless height changes and stable transitions, helping create a peaceful workspace that sparks creativity
- Easy Assembly & Great Value: Clear instructions and straightforward setup in 10–30 minutes. Offers electric height adjustment, memory presets, and solid build quality(The desktop is composed of two boards)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
