June 20, 2025: Amazon has issued a directive to its U.S. corporate employees, mandating relocation to major office hubs such as Seattle, Arlington (Virginia), and Washington D.C. Employees have been given a 30-day deadline to comply with this new policy. Failure to relocate within this timeframe may result in termination within 60 days. Additionally, employees who choose not to relocate and instead resign will not be offered severance packages.
This mandate is part of Amazon’s ongoing emphasis on in-office work and comes amid broader organizational changes, including job cuts influenced by increasing reliance on AI and warnings from CEO Andy Jassy about forthcoming layoffs.
Employees who have previously received relocation assistance may be required to repay these benefits if they leave the company within a specified period. Typically, if an employee resigns within 12 months of receiving relocation benefits, they may be obligated to repay the full amount. This repayment policy is designed to prevent abuse of the generous relocation offerings.
For those considering an internal transfer, Amazon generally requires employees to have worked at least 12 months in their current role before being eligible for relocation assistance. However, exceptions may apply, especially for roles that are hard to fill.
Employees facing challenges with the relocation policy are encouraged to communicate openly with their managers and HR representatives to explore potential accommodations or exceptions.