From Remote Rookie to In-Office Mentee: Amazon’s RTO Journey
How Returning to the Office(RTO5) Could Have Shaped My Early Career
In 11 days, we will be back to the complete pre-pandemic situation. I'm talking about the working-from-office situation. A few months back, Amazon announced that all employees worldwide would return to the office five days a week (RTO5 - Return to Office).
A Quick Timeline of Amazon's RTO Journey
Let’s rewind a bit to see how we got here:
September 2021: Amazon delayed its initial RTO plans.
January 2022: The company canceled its planned return, allowing employees to continue working remotely.
May 2023: Amazon implemented a 3-day per week in-office requirement.
August 2023: Amazon announced that remote workers must move near a central office hub by mid-2024.
July 2024: The company considered implementing a minimum number of hours per day in the office.
September 2024: CEO Andy Jassy announced a new policy requiring corporate employees to work in the office five days per week, effective January 2, 2025.
Since then, the topic has sparked conversations across the company and the industry. With Amazon being the world’s second-largest employer, it’s no surprise that opinions are divided. Some support the move; others aren’t thrilled. Me? I’m not here to pick sides but to reflect on how this change could have impacted my younger self, mentee,—fresh out of college in 2021.
Disclaimer: This post isn’t sponsored by Amazon. Sure, they pay me, but only for my day job, not for my Substack hobby.
My Early Days at Amazon
When I joined Amazon right after graduation, it was a monumental moment in my life. I was ecstatic! Back then, I couldn’t choose my team, but I got lucky to be placed in AWS, working on a top-secret project—building a brand-new service from scratch.
The learning curve was steep. Everything was new: the tools, the processes, the expectations. It was thrilling yet overwhelming. Now, looking back, I wonder how a five-day return-to-office (RTO5) policy could have shaped my 2021 experience.
1. The Commute Problem
The daily commute would’ve been my first challenge. Unless I lived within walking distance of the office, I’d probably need to get a car—the toughest thing for a recent immigrant fresh out of college (especially if I didn’t have a driver’s license). Plus, commuting in Seattle? Hello, one-hour traffic jams.
2. Less Time with Friends and Family
RTO could have meant less quality time with friends and family. I’ve seen this happen with RTO3—impromptu dinners with colleagues and chats by the elevator eat into personal time. It’s a trade-off, for sure.
3. Easier Trust-Building
Video calls without cameras can feel like talking to a wall. We don't know what's going on the other side of the phone.
Seeing colleagues face-to-face more often builds trust naturally. Aristotle nailed it:
“The human face is the most expressive part of the body.”
4. Fewer Blockers
In 2021, I sometimes got stuck on a single problem for hours, waiting for colleagues to respond who were currently offline. I was hesitant to ask questions.
Today, all new hires seem much more comfortable speaking up, possibly because of the trust built through in-person interactions.
5. Becoming More Outgoing
Meeting senior engineers and leaders in person post-pandemic felt intimidating—perhaps imposter syndrome. But post-RTO3, seeing colleagues regularly has made interactions easier.
Honestly, I’m now confident enough to meet Andy Jassy or even join Jeff Bezos for lunch (if I ever get an invite, I’ll update you!).
6. More Vocal in Meetings
In-person meetings feel more relaxed and less rigid compared to virtual ones, where people dart in and out due to packed schedules.
Back in 2021, I hesitated to speak up, fearing I’d waste someone’s time. Today, I feel more at ease sharing my thoughts in a room full of people.
"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." – John F. Kennedy
Change is tough, no doubt. But I believe working from the office makes sense when the individual person can see value in it.
Sure, many of the above points do not apply to me today but most likely new mentees would prefer to meet mentors in person to talk comfortably.
What are your thoughts on RTO5? Love it, hate it, or somewhere in between? Let’s discuss this in the comments!
In case you missed it: On December 18, 2024, Amazon delayed its RTO5 mandate for some locations due to limited office space.1
Perplexity: Amazon return to office announcement
For new joiners, especially at the entry-level, getting onboarded quickly can be a real challenge when working remotely. I personally enjoy being in the office because it's the best way to build deeper relationships with colleagues. This connection fosters a psychologically safe environment, allowing everyone to collaborate more effectively.