In a show of solidarity, two employee groups at Amazon have come together to organize a corporate walkout, aiming to protest the company’s return-to-office policy and raise concerns about its climate impact. The event took place today in front of Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, with a live stream on Twitter capturing the speeches of representatives from both groups.
The first point of contention raised by the speakers was Amazon’s policy requiring employees to return to the office for at least three days a week. Several individuals shared personal stories highlighting the advantages of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasized the value of spending more time with their families and eliminating long commutes, which had become a significant burden. These employees expressed frustration over the potential loss of these benefits with the company’s push for a return to the office.
Amazon undercounts its carbon footprint.https://t.co/mYEsYJvYrt
— Amazon Employees For Climate Justice (@AMZNforClimate) May 23, 2023
Moreover, the employees tied their concerns about the return-to-office policy to Amazon’s climate goals. Remote work has contributed to reduced carbon emissions by enabling more families to transition to one-car households. The employee groups argue that Amazon, in failing to prioritize remote work as a climate-friendly option, is not living up to its own commitments in achieving zero emissions by 2040, as outlined in its climate pledge.
The Amazon Employees for Climate Justice Twitter page reported that over 1900 Amazon employees pledged to participate in the walkout. As of now, Amazon has not provided an official response to the event or the employees’ concerns.
The joint walkout demonstrates a unified front among Amazon employees, addressing both work policy and climate impact. By combining their voices, these employees hope to prompt meaningful change within the company and draw attention to the importance of sustainable practices in the workplace.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Amazon will respond to the employees’ demands and whether this united demonstration will influence the company’s policies moving forward.
