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Amazon’s ongoing struggle with worker discontent came into sharp focus this week, as employees voiced their frustrations over workplace culture, return-to-office mandates, and management practices in a popular LinkedIn post.
The push-and-pull between the e-commerce giant and its workforce continues as Amazon deal with increased unionization and dissent over its return to office mandate, among other things.
The LinkedIn post by former Amazon employee Stephanie Ramos, criticized the company’s bureaucracy and culture. In her post, Ramos, who was on her second stint at the company, criticized the change in the workplace environment since her initial stint at Amazon.
"Instead of the exciting, fast-paced environment I remember, I experienced a place bogged down in pointless meetings and middling middle managers," Ramos wrote, explaining why she resigned after less than three months of being rehired.
Amazon CEO under fire
The post quickly gained traction, generating more than 100,000 views and over 200 comments. Among those commenting were current Amazon employees, who echoed her concerns, particularly regarding the direction of the company under CEO Andy Jassy. The post touched a nerve among many workers, several of whom were openly critical of recent policies and leadership decisions.
Jassy, who took over from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos three years ago, has overseen significant changes at the company, including mass layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
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The moves were praised by investors but have been less popular among staff, especially as the company implements a stricter return-to-office policy. In September, Jassy announced that employees would be required to work in the office five days a week starting in January 2025. This shift has sparked considerable backlash, particularly among those who had become accustomed to the flexibility of remote work.
Laura Barry, a long-time Amazon employee of nearly 20 years, was among those commenting on Ramos’ post. She criticized the new return-to-office policy, drawing parallels between the company’s evolving culture and that of a traditional corporate bank. "I’m waiting for a dress code to be implemented after 5 days a week starts," she wrote.
The sentiment was shared by others, highlighting a growing dissatisfaction with the direction Amazon is taking under Jassy’s leadership.
Amazon workers go public
While employee complaints are not unusual in any large organization, the public nature of the grievances has set this episode apart. Typically, such frustrations have been confined to anonymous platforms, where Amazon workers can share their experiences without fear of reprisal. This time, however, the criticism has been given a much larger audience.
Amazon’s response has been measured. Company spokesperson Margaret Callahan did not address the specific complaints raised by Ramos and others, but pointed to Amazon’s ranking as the second-best large workplace on LinkedIn’s Top Companies list, a measure based on employee promotions and job opportunities. Callahan’s statement suggests that Amazon is still a desirable place to work, despite the negative feedback.
Jassy himself has acknowledged some of the cultural issues within Amazon. In a September memo, he expressed concern that layers of management were slowing the company down and said that the return-to-office policy was part of an effort to restore Amazon’s dynamic, fast-paced culture. However, many employees remain unconvinced, feeling that the company’s rapid growth has come at the expense of its workforce.
The discontent surrounding Amazon’s workplace culture also intersects with ongoing efforts to unionize parts of the company’s workforce. Several high-profile unionization campaigns, particularly in Amazon warehouses, have drawn attention to issues of worker rights, safety, and fair treatment. The broader debate over the company’s labor practices continues to unfold, as Amazon tries to balance profitability with maintaining its image as an employer of choice.
Initially apprehensive about going public with her thoughts, Ramos found plenty of support from Amazon employees across different departments. "I’m not alone," she said, reflecting on the comments after the post went viral.
