Amazon employees return to Seattle offices for first Monday shift
50K+ Amazon workers return to Seattle office
Tens of thousands of Amazon employees will return to work in Seattle for their first required in-person Monday shift in years.
SEATTLE - More than 50,000 Amazon employees will return to work in Seattle for the first required in-person Monday shift in years, marking a major adjustment for the region’s commuters.
The transition isn’t just impacting Seattle. Bellevue is also preparing for about 12,000 Amazon workers to resume commuting to offices there.
The surge in traffic is expected to slow down commutes across the region significantly. Many residents and workers in Seattle have voiced concerns about traffic disruptions since Amazon announced the policy change last September.
Seattle traffic ramps up as Amazon employees return to work
Tens of thousands of Amazon employees will return to work in Seattle for their first required in-person Monday shift in years. Now the traffic in Seattle is expected to seriously ramp up, especially in the South Lake Union neighborhood.
Previously, Amazon employees were required to work on-site three days a week but could work remotely two days a week. That hybrid schedule often resulted in lighter traffic at the start and end of the week.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is advising commuters to plan for extra travel time this week and beyond.
Amazon says it is taking steps to ease the burden for employees. In a statement, the company said it offers reimbursement for public transportation, subsidies for carpools and rideshares and free commuter shuttles for workers.
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