In an announcement by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the company’s corporate and tech workers are set to return to five days a week of in-person work starting in January of the new year. This move is expected to bring another boost in daily foot traffic to downtown Seattle and the neighborhoods surrounding Amazon headquarters. The Downtown Seattle Association has applauded this decision, highlighting the value of in-person work to the success of companies and organizations in the area.
The return to in-person work is seen as a win for many Seattle organizations and businesses that have been lobbying Amazon to bring back employees. Since the company first insisted on three days per week of in-person work, there has been increased business for restaurants, food trucks, doggy daycares, and other establishments in the surrounding neighborhoods. The boost in foot traffic on Tuesdays through Thursdays has been particularly beneficial for these businesses, and the return to a five-day work week is expected to further support the local economy.
While the three-days-per-week policy announced in February 2023 was optimistic in its potential to benefit local businesses, not all employees were happy with the change. Some concerns were raised on a “Remote Advocacy” Slack channel where employees discussed their apprehensions about returning to the office. Following the announcement of the return to five days of in-person work, some former employees expressed disappointment with the decision and raised concerns about the impacts it could have on individuals who may struggle to meet the commuting demands.
Business owners and employees in the South Lake Union neighborhood have expressed excitement about the prospect of increased foot traffic and business resulting from Amazon employees returning to the office five days per week. The move is expected to create a more vibrant atmosphere in the area, potentially benefitting local eateries and retail establishments. Despite the challenges of adjusting to new work routines, many are welcoming the return to pre-pandemic levels of activity in downtown Seattle.
Although Seattle has seen a decline in daily foot traffic compared to pre-pandemic levels, the return of Amazon employees to the office is expected to help revitalize the city. The vibrant atmosphere around Amazon’s headquarters since the introduction of the three-days-per-week policy has been positively received by business owners and employees. The anticipation of increased foot traffic on Mondays and Fridays, which were quieter under the previous policy, is expected to bring new energy to the area and support local businesses.
While some Amazon employees may not be pleased with the return to five days of in-person work, the decision is seen as a positive step for downtown Seattle and the local economy. The move signals Amazon’s commitment to supporting the communities where its employees work and live, and the increased foot traffic and business activity generated by the return to office work is expected to have a positive impact on the area. Overall, the decision to bring employees back to the office reflects a broader trend of companies recognizing the value of in-person collaboration and its role in driving business success.
