Amazon CEO Andy Jassy ends WFH for employees from January 2, X erupts in memes

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and (right) one of the popular memes doing rounds on social media regarding his announcement to end the hybrid work model at the tech giant. (Image credit: AFP, @Adam_Karpiak/X)

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's announcement requiring employees to work from the office five days a week has divided social media. While entrepreneurs welcomed the move hoping for other companies to follow suit, employees cited several drawbacks including dealing with traffic, hefty rents, and a poor work-life balance arising from this decision.

Hours after the memo was sent, social media, especially X, erupted in memes showing exactly how unwelcome the move was among working professionals. Here are some of the popular ones:

Amazon telling employees to return to the office 5 days a week: pic.twitter.com/AxTxKk2YcC
Adam Karpiak (@Adam_Karpiak) September 16, 2024

Amazon telling employees to return to the office 5 days a week lol pic.twitter.com/T6xL2tvRnq MoneyBaggMyMy (@InfoSecQueen) September 16, 2024

Amazon is forcing employees to return to office 5 days a week in January. Praying this doesnt ripple across corporate America. pic.twitter.com/nIH02ZS3Kj
high jinx (@TyrannyBanks) September 16, 2024

Amazon: "We want everyone back in the office 5 days a week starting on Jan 2 2025 because somehow, being on a video call is better in the office than it is at home." pic.twitter.com/XoWA8MGv1L (@mikecherry) September 16, 2024

amazon relocating their workforce as a means of soft layoffs then removing all hybrid work options is some bs pic.twitter.com/zx59pagqZk
uu pu (@Elle_Lo) September 16, 2024

"[we're returning to office 5 days a week @ Amazon] because weve observed that its easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice, and strengthen our culture"the culture: pic.twitter.com/CadcLyP2rj boon (@iamyourboon) September 16, 2024

In his memo, the Amazon CEO said that working from the office would help employees "invent, collaborate, and be connected enough to each other". For the last 15 months, the tech giant required employees to work from office at least three days a week and Jassy said the move resulted in more effective and seamless collaboration among employees.

"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," he wrote. "If anything, the last 15 months we’ve been back in the office at least three days a week has strengthened our conviction about the benefits."

The announcement, however, has been called a "stealth layoff" or a "silent layoff" by many on social media because it is likely to push Amazon employees who want to prioritise a better work-life balance into finding new jobs.