Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Amazon WFH Policy

  • 18-09-2024 02:28PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 150 ✭✭


    See reports today that Amazon are mandating workers back to offices 5 days a week. They have a 3 day week policy currently but cited compliance to this as a reason. Hopefully this is not a trend that other companies will follow. I think one of the main problem is that some people will not comply and then these drastic measures are taken impacting everyone. Surely if companies are monitoring office attendance they should allow so many WFH days per month e.g 7 days per month to office flexibility but everyone is treated the same. If you know want to use the days you lose them. It can be demoralising if some workers are never in the office but others are.



«13456716

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,035 ✭✭✭BlueSkyDreams


    Working in the office 5 days a week isnt a drastic measure. It was the norm up until very recently.

    Its up to the employer to decide if they want their staff in the office.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 119 ✭✭spark_tank


    It's a failure to adapt to evolving work trends that emphasise flexibility and employee well-being.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,035 ✭✭✭BlueSkyDreams


    Thats one opinion, sure.

    When all is said and done, the employer pays the wages and if the contract states office work, then office work it shall be.

    People are free to move to other roles if they dont like the contract they signed.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,603 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    I wouldn't say trends are evolving, just they changed during COVID and now they're changing back.

    You can guarantee Amazon has ran the numbers and the pros outweigh the cons.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 58,410 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    but people are creatures of habit, routine and familiarity. Months and months and months of wfh took over for many people. And naturally a resistance to change (for a lot of people) to back to office will present itself



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,422 ✭✭✭Buddy Bubs


    2 people that work with me that have been WFH are now very awkward around everyone on the odd day they come in. Teamwork has been lost completely in 1 department. These people have lost social skills, they're not leaving their houses.

    There's defo an argument for getting people back



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 229 ✭✭apkmbarry


    Probably realise everyone around them is incompetent and they can't believe they have to work with them. I've only recently started WFH having been in the office every day, and the relief of the one day around the above mentioned people has worked WONDERS on my mentals.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,364 ✭✭✭Royale with Cheese


    WFH is going nowhere. I would prioritise having minimum 3 days a week from home over any sizeable pay increase, if my employer mandated 5 days a week back in the office I would be looking for a new job immediately. Amazon obviously think the labour market is in their favour and they can get away with this right now but the minute it changes people will be leaving in their droves. Talented staff who would previously be attracted solely by a high salary and maybe interesting workload will now be highly prioritising WFH and flexibility there. I work in tech and wouldn't be queuing up for a job in Amazon regardless.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 58,410 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Any workers with real talent and options who really love wfh who are being asked to return full time to office will surely be looking elsewhere. And rightly so



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,035 ✭✭✭BlueSkyDreams


    And thats ok. There will be plenty of others that will work directly with their teams in the office.



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,603 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    Yeah, no doubt, just like WFH was completely alien for most people 4 years ago. People will quickly adapt and those who don't want to change will find other jobs.

    Worst case it's a return to what was normal up to 4 years ago. I think more US companies are moving towards full time office or hybrid and Irish companies will follow.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,150 ✭✭✭✭Flinty997


    This is Amazon the company where it's staff use bottles for toilet breaks, and the staff have been trying to create unions to improve their working conditions. The company using Pips and layoffs to reduce numbers.

    "…a practice known as “quiet firing.” If companies can create conditions that make some employees leave the company, they are likely to save money on severance costs. The risks of such a strategy are that talented employees may be pushed out of the company rather than offered the necessary coaching to thrive…"

    Removing remote working is just another tactic of quiet firing to reduce headcount. It's got nothing to do with the pros and cons of anything.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 150 ✭✭HurlingBoy


    a

    Agreed that WFH full time is not good for people. Introverts get more introverted which is not good for them or their co workers. They may be more productive in their comfort zone of not having to meet people but this is not good for their mental health. People can become very inclusive if not getting out on a daily basis. While there are alot of positives in terms of well being WFH has negatives too. Their is no doubt that companies like Amazon are trying to force positive attrition and reduce headcount but they will find it difficult to attract staff in future. These companies obviously feel their reputation and other benefits will outweigh not providing flexibility.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 119 ✭✭spark_tank


    I’m pretty sure future generations will look back, laugh, and seriously wonder what in the everloving f**k people were thinking when they claimed it was NOT GOOD for people to spend less time commuting and working in offices for giant corporations.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,417 ✭✭✭Tefral


    My guess its just a way of reducing numbers without paying redundancies….



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,603 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    It is, but I presume we're talking about Amazon desk jobs which were previously WFH and hybrid. Seems your link and most of your post is related to warehouse jobs and conditions



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 351 ✭✭boardsdotie44


    And how about that other Amercian t**t:

    https://fortune.com/europe/2024/08/14/x-ordered-to-pay-550000-to-irish-employee-fired-for-not-replying-to-elon-musk-yes-or-resign-extremely-hardcore-ultimatum/

    American companies are horrendous places to work, they have zero respect for employees..



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,273 ✭✭✭flas


    For most people the relief of not having to spend time with the people in the office who's only social outlet is going to work drags on them! I have a social life, I see friends and family and get to spend more time with them than I ever did when I was stuck in an office with a bunch of annoying weirdos who spend there whole time interrupting and annoying everyone...the vast majority are more productive at home, happier and have more time not spent commuting, more money from lack of commuting also.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,101 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    This is planned attrition acceleration, nothing more and nothing less.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,521 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    If that's what all your colleagues are like, I think you need to find another job where you are a better fit.



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,150 ✭✭✭✭Flinty997


    I think the layoffs are across the board. It's just poorly reported.

    I think relying Amazon's information is misguided.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭RebelButtMunch


    Agreed, it's downside in this regard is it's not targeted, so it could be random who decides to walk away



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,518 ✭✭✭skinny90


    Its a clear out and out tactic to cut labor costs without paying people to leave.

    Its nothing to do with compliance. and yes i suspect many (mainly US based) companies will catch on..

    Amazon as an IT company pays considerably high wages for people in the IT sector.

    Rather than paying out redundancies its going to push people out.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,100 ✭✭✭✭callaway92


    Some absolute losers and weirdos in this thread

    ‘Most people didn’t even know of WFH before Covid’ etc

    Yes.. and who gives a flying fúck? They know about it now and it’s probably enhancing lives for the majority that have WFH access now



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,150 ✭✭✭✭Flinty997


    I'm not sure Amazon with all its issues is going to be that focused on its introverted staff mental health and wellbeing. Perhaps I'm mistaken.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,603 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    American companies top the polls as the best places to work in Ireland. Pfizer got it this year, and a little under half the top 20 are American. American companies in Ireland pay higher wages and better working conditions than Irish companies. I can post link if you want, but about 10% of the Irish workforce are employed in MNCs and those 10% are receiving 33% of the total wages paid.

    Even your article shows that one US company has to pay half a million quid to a manager for not replying to an email. Hardly horrendous and hardly representative of all American companies.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,223 ✭✭✭Oscar_Madison
    #MEGA MAKE EUROPE GREAT AGAIN


    One large irish company had all their staff back full time as soon as restrictions lifted -have to say felt for the staff - for me that’s one of the exceptions for large companies here in Ireland where the nature of your work doesn’t necessitate you having to be present in the office.

    Presentism is my big bug bear - being there because someone said had to be there.

    Fine if people are asked to meet regularly in the office - say once a week or whatever- but 5 days a week for no other reason than power and control - nah.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,603 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    No one is being weird, but your employer tells you where to work. It's one of the legal conditions of your employment. They're entitled to tell you to return to the office, and you're entitled to tell them to stuff it and then find another job.

    WFH was forced on us in extreme times, that's whether you're in favour or against it, so returning to the office is a return to normality.

    People called life during COVID "the new normal". WFH was part of that, but so was paying €7 for a meal so you could buy a pint, and wearing masks in shops. We've stopped all the other behaviour, why are we surprised this is stopping too?



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,982 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    My son in laws company done the same recently. He said no, he was getting his work done and while he did go to the office occasionally, he was exceeding all his targets. Funnily enough, they never done anything, he got his bonus and well, that is that. This stunt is someone half way up justifying the stupid rent they paid to someone else. Happens all the time, hopefully the good people will either go elsewhere and be appreciated.



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,649 ✭✭✭Ezeoul


    Whatever about Amazon US, in Ireland employees now have the right to request remote work and the employer has to have a solid reason to refuse it.

    Amazon (or any US company) in Ireland has to comply with Irish employment law. If Amazon want to order all their employees here back to an office 5 days a week, they will need more than "we pay your wages" to do so.

    If someone has been working away remotely with no issue and is suddenly ordered back to an office full time for no other reason than "change of policy" they could take the employer to the WRC.



Advertisement