A Snapshot into Amazon Employee's WFH Sentiment

A Snapshot into Amazon Employee's WFH Sentiment

COVID-19 has forced companies worldwide to adapt to and embrace remote work—at least for the short term. And although the transition to working from home was a bit turbulent for some organizations, many companies are now figuring out that working remotely is the future of work—pandemic or not. On Blind, the anonymous professional network with 3.8 million users, professionals across Silicon Valley’s most prestigious firms have been sharing their evolving sentiments towards permanent remote work. 

Whispers on Blind reveal that Amazon’s SVP of HR said, “We all want to go back to normal,” implying all Amazon professionals want to go back to the office.

To get an accurate snapshot of Amazon’s employees, TeamBlind compiled some survey statistics and quotes to see how Amazonians have collectively felt throughout the pandemic. 

Back in late April, we first asked users the following question:

  1. Will you prefer to continue working from home after the coronavirus restrictions lift?

Key Findings as of (4/24-4/27) (~2,500 Responses): 

  • 64% of professionals prefer to continue working from home after the coronavirus restrictions lift
    • 71% of Amazon professionals prefer to continue working from home after the coronavirus restrictions lift

However, that statistic has dropped by roughly 30% if you look at present-day numbers.

Two days ago, an anonymous Amazon user shared their opinion, saying: “No successful company is ever gonna go full remote. It’s no question that people work better and more efficiently when they are together in person, especially for something like engineering.”

Additionally, An Engineer at Apple posted, “FAANG employees should PRAY that most companies do not go full remote. When companies commit to being onsite at particular locations, such as the bay area or Seattle, it limits the competition pool to people who are able and willing to abandon family & friends and move to these places. This keeps competition somewhat limited. If all the companies go remote, you will now have to compete with other candidates all across the USA and (to a lesser extent) around the world. We are already seeing this with harder interviews and lower offer success rates. For those of you currently on the west coast, you should PRAY TO GOD that most companies do not go full remote.”

The user followed up with a poll and asked other Blind users if they agreed or disagreed. Here are the key learnings as of 11/18

  • 55% of tech professionals agree that FAANG should not go full remote
    • 47% of Amazon professionals agree

That 71% back in April is now looking more like 47% in November. This drastic change probably reflects the long term effects of working from home, including isolation, potential pay cuts, and an increasingly competitive talent pool. 

An Amazon employee responded to the poll sharing, “Can’t wait as a hiring manager, I’m hoping it’ll make hiring easier. Talents are everywhere, not limited to the west coast. But it doesn’t mean we lower the bar. It just means that companies will have a easier time filling their HC. Even with the shift to remote work, there still aren’t enough talents as there are opportunities. I think it’s a win-win for everyone. Will the TC come down? Maybe? But that might not be a bad thing. Why get paid more just so you’re forced to spend more because of where you live? Over time, hopefully, cost of living in these hubs will come down as we can see in Seattle all the downtown apartments are emptying out and those who chose to stay are moving into bigger apartments for cheaper.”

 

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Reference:

Will you quit your job if they don’t allow full remote?

FAANG employees should PRAY that most companies do not go full remote