There you are at your desk, on a normal Monday, when an email comes across your screen.

The company wants you back in the office.

Five days a week.

You’ve spent a lot of time and money arranging your life to be in a flexible working arrangement. Your productivity is great, your overall health is better, and your boss sees the great results you achieve.

But, what do you do now?

That is the dilemma that Amazon office workers currently face. The company recently mandated not just a return to the office, but a five-day-a-week schedule.

Of course, there was an uproar about it, with some saying they may leave the company. And other companies may try to follow suit.

This mandate flies in the face of studies that show workers are generally more productive working at least a hybrid schedule.

Many people, during and post-Covid, rearranged their lives to work remotely. And found out that they work better—and are happier—not being in the office five days a week.

Yet, many companies are persisting to have their teams back. And it’s causing a lot of angst among workers.

What can you do when the boss wants you back in the office, and you don’t want to be?

Talk to your boss: Yes, this will take some courage. Before you do, take an inventory: What are your circumstances at home and how will that affect your RTO? Have you been working remotely, and will the new mandate require you to make a longer commute, or relocation? Will the new arrangement be a hardship for you and your family.
Having a honest conversation with your boss about where you are will be difficult—there are pressures they are facing, too. Present your case as a win-win. If you are more productive outside of the office, be able to demonstrate that, and remind them of your value to the company, regardless of your location.

Start thinking about your backup plan NOW: If your conversation with your boss doesn’t go the way you wanted, then it’s time to think about your next steps.
There are practical steps to take, such as dusting off your resume for an update, and preparing to do the same for your LinkedIn profile. Now would be a good time to check your finances, and make sure they are in order.
It’s also a great time to zoom out a little. Do I want to continue doing this work, at this company?
If you’re at Amazon right now, and you’re thinking about leaving, there are other companies that would jump at the opportunity to have you on their team. Start getting curious, and check out who is hiring in your particular field  that doesn’t require you to be in the office all the time.
Or, maybe now is the moment for you to launch that business you’re been dreaming of starting. It is a daunting task to go into business for yourself and be an entrepreneur—I understand, because I am living that right now. And, there is a freedom to calling your own shots and working in the way that you want to work that is unmatched, and thrilling.

Talk to others in your situation, or have been there: You are not alone in wanting to work in a way that works for you. Many workers dream of continuing to work in hybrid and flexible arrangements, and understand the difficulty—and anger—that come with return-to-office mandates.
Your coworkers and friends may have advice and insights into negotiating your way into a better work arrangement, or cutting the cord and leaving that office.
Leaning on friends and coworkers for support is crucial at this time. Many of them are probably feeling the same concerns you are.

The Covid pandemic and the lockdowns showed us what was possible when it comes to remote and hybrid work. There are studies showing remote work does have benefits for workers and for companies. Yet, many companies like Amazon are continuing to demand employees be back in the office more often. And that’s leaving them at a crossroads.

Is such a move leaving you at a career crossroads? What do you think your options are?