Business owners neighboring Amazon’s Seattle headquarters were thrilled on Monday as thousands of the tech giant’s employees returned to the office for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Amazon’s new in-office policy now requires workers to be physically present five days a week, a change that has sparked mixed reactions within the company and among workers’ rights advocates.
While some employees have pushed back against the return to the office, local businesses are celebrating the resurgence of foot traffic in the area. Café workers, food truck owners, and other vendors surrounding Amazon’s corporate offices in South Lake Union have reported a noticeable increase in the number of people walking the sidewalks, creating a buzz of activity that hasn’t been seen in recent memory.
The return of Amazon employees to the office has also had a positive impact on the roads, with increased traffic flow in the area. Despite the potential inconvenience, business owners like Edgar Mendoza, who operates a taco stand called Barriga Llena, are excited about the prospect of attracting more hungry workers on their breaks. Mendoza expressed his enthusiasm for the extra income that the increased foot traffic could bring, not only for himself but for other vendors as well.
Chris McClendon, who works in a Venezuelan food truck, echoed Mendoza’s sentiments, noting that the off-ramp off of Mercer Way was much busier on Monday morning. He and his fellow food truck operators are looking forward to serving more customers and are grateful for the support of Amazon employees who have chosen to return to the office and patronize their businesses.
However, not all Amazon employees are pleased with the company’s decision to require a full-time return to the office. Some workers have protested, arguing that their productivity was just as high, if not higher, while working from home. Despite the criticisms, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has stood firm on the company’s policy, reportedly telling employees to “disagree and commit” or face the possibility that their jobs may not work out.
It remains unclear how many, if any, Amazon employees have been terminated for refusing to return to the office. As the debate continues within the company, local businesses are enjoying the boost in business that comes with the return of Amazon employees to the office. The increased foot traffic and support from workers have been a welcome sight for vendors in the area, who are hopeful for a bustling Monday and Friday as more employees make their way back to the office.
