Amazon’s New Relocation Policy Sparks Concern Among Employees

Amazon has introduced a new relocation policy requiring some U.S.-based employees to move closer to their managers and teams or face resignation without severance, according to a Bloomberg report. Workers have been asked to relocate to cities including Seattle, Arlington, Virginia, and Washington DC, potentially uprooting many across the country.

This development has added to employee anxiety amid ongoing worries over job cuts and concerns about artificial intelligence reducing workforce demand in the coming years. Sources suggest thousands of employees across various teams could be affected, with mid-career staff especially hesitant due to family and personal commitments.

Employees have reportedly been given a 30-day deadline to decide whether to relocate. If they agree, they have 60 days to complete the move. Those choosing to resign instead of relocating will not receive severance packages, according to reports shared within internal company channels.

An Amazon spokesperson told Bloomberg that while some teams have been working for over a year to bring teammates closer to improve collaboration, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and no significant shift in company policy. The spokesperson added that the company supports employees based on individual circumstances when relocation is required.

Earlier this week, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy warned that widespread adoption of generative AI could reduce the company’s corporate workforce over the next few years. He stated, “We expect this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company,” signaling a shift in job roles and workforce size moving forward.

As Amazon pushes for greater team proximity and embraces AI technology, employees face a challenging road ahead balancing career demands with personal lives.