Amazon is giving thousands of U.S.-based employees a difficult choice — move to a company hub or leave the job.
According to Bloomberg, Amazon is requiring some corporate workers to relocate to key locations like Seattle, Arlington, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. The policy affects workers on multiple teams and is part of the company’s push to increase in-person collaboration.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg that the relocation effort has been underway for over a year. “Some teams have been working to bring their teammates closer together to help them be as effective as possible,” the spokesperson said.
Relocation Deadline — or Exit
One Amazon employee shared on the company’s internal messaging platform that their manager gave them 30 days to decide whether they would move. If they chose not to relocate, they had 60 days to either begin moving or resign — without severance pay.
Rather than announce the policy via email, Amazon is informing employees in one-on-one meetings and team town halls, making the process more personal — but also more tense.
AI, Layoffs, and Office Mandates Add to Pressure
This news comes at a time when many Amazon workers are already on edge. CEO Andy Jassy recently warned that the company’s headcount could shrink over the next few years as AI automates more tasks.
Amazon is investing heavily in AI — allocating around $105 billion in capital expenditures this year, with much of it going toward AI infrastructure. The company has already laid off more than 27,000 employees since 2022 to reduce costs.
Additionally, Amazon recently enforced a strict five-day in-office workweek, which has pushed some employees to seek remote-friendly jobs elsewhere.
The Bigger Picture
Amazon employs around 1.56 million people globally, including 350,000 corporate staff. As the company pivots toward a more centralized and AI-driven future, employees are being forced to choose between staying — and relocating — or walking away.
