Amazon sets 30‑day relocation deadline for corporate staff—opt out by resigning in 60 days

Amazon has issued a firm directive to thousands of its corporate employees: relocate to one of its designated office hubs—Seattle, Arlington, or Washington D.C.—within 30 days or resign within 60, forfeiting any severance package

What’s changing—and why

• Mandatory hub model: The directive requires employees based in remote or satellite offices to move into one of the three major metropolitan areas.
• Tight timeline: Staff must decide within 30 days whether to relocate or start their resignation process within the next 60 days—with no severance safety net .
• Strategic pushback: The move supports Amazon’s new push for greater office presence and collaboration, reinforcing a broader return-to-office mandate.

In the context of layoffs and AI

• Lingering job insecurity: This relocation edict comes amid ongoing concerns about workforce reductions tied to the company’s shift toward AI-driven operations
• Internal warnings: CEO Andy Jassy has cautioned employees about potential upcoming layoffs, intensifying uncertainty and stress across the organization

Employee reactions & wider implications

Feedback on platforms like Reddit’s r/amazonemployees signals deep unease:
Amazon already doing it under the name of PIP”
“The people were notified on 3/12 that their last day ‘employed’ is 5/12. Amazon keeps them employed for the 60 days the WARN Act requires

Employees worry the policy might mask layoffs, using “performance improvement plans” (PIPs) as a pretext under the guise of relocation compliance.