Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

In this episode of Long-Distance Worklife, Marisa Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel tackle the hot-button issue of Amazon’s recent return-to-office mandate and what it means for the future of remote work. Amazon’s decision to require employees to come back to the office—and its ultimatum of “come back or find a new job”—has sparked conversations about whether this marks the end of the remote work era.

Marisa and Wayne dive into the reasons behind Amazon’s push for office attendance, from massive real estate investments to a company culture driven by performance. They also explore the broader implications for other companies, the financial and cultural challenges that come with hybrid work, and how employees worldwide, like those at Ubisoft in France, are pushing back against such mandates.

Key Takeaways:

• Amazon's RTO Mandate: Why Amazon is forcing employees back into the office and the real estate and management philosophies driving the decision.
• Is Remote Work Fading?: Why some companies are clinging to old work models, despite the success of remote work during the pandemic.
• Worker Pushback Globally: How employees, including Ubisoft workers in France, are fighting against return-to-office policies—and what this means for global trends.
• A Seismic Shift in Work: Why we’re in the midst of a massive change in how companies view work, leadership, and productivity.

Timestamps

0:00 Intro
1:00 Amazon’s Return-to-Office Policy Explained
3:20 Why Some Companies Are Going Back to the Office
5:30 Real Estate and CEO Ego: What’s Really Driving the Mandates
10:00 Global Pushback: Ubisoft and Strikes Over Office Returns
13:00 Is Remote Work Really Going Away?
16:00 What Does This Mean for Employers and Employees?
18:30 Remote Work Isn’t Dead Yet: Final Thoughts