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Amazon CEO Refutes Claims That 5-Day Office Mandate Is a ‘Backdoor Layoff’!

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Amazon CEO Refutes Claims That 5-Day Office Mandate Is a Backdoor Layoff

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy addressed concerns about the company’s upcoming five-day office mandate during an all-hands meeting on November 5, denying that the policy is intended to force attrition or appease city officials. The new requirement, which will take effect on January 2, 2025, mandates that employees return to the office every day, up from the current three-day in-office requirement.

Employee Concerns and Backlash

Many employees have voiced frustration over the policy, citing concerns that it is stricter than the return-to-office mandates of other tech companies and will negatively impact productivity due to long commutes. Reports indicate that employees who do not comply with the mandate will be considered as “voluntarily resigning” and may be locked out of company systems.

Jassy’s Clarification

During the meeting, Jassy addressed rumors that the mandate was part of a cost-cutting strategy or a deal with city officials. He stated, “A number of people I’ve seen theorized that the reason we were doing this is, it’s a backdoor layoff, or we made some sort of deal with a city or cities. I can tell you both of those are not true.” He emphasized that the decision was not about saving costs but about strengthening Amazon’s corporate culture.

Rationale Behind the Mandate

The mandate is set to begin on January 2, 2025. Jassy explained that returning to the office full-time would allow Amazon to be “better set up to invent, collaborate and be connected enough to each other and our culture to deliver the absolute best for customers and the business.” This rationale has sparked pushback from employees who question its necessity.

Leadership Support and Employee Reactions

In October, Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services, suggested that employees who were not willing to return to the office could seek employment elsewhere. He claimed that the majority of employees he spoke with supported the new policy. However, this prompted a letter from more than 500 Amazon workers urging Garman to reconsider the mandate, highlighting concerns that it could disproportionately affect employees with families or medical challenges.

Commuter Support Initiatives

In response to employee feedback, Amazon assured workers that it would be offering commuter benefits and subsidized parking rates to help ease the transition. Jassy acknowledged the discomfort some employees may feel as they adjust to the new policy, saying, “It is an adjustment. I understand that for a lot of people, and we’re going to be working through that adjustment together.”

Internal Bureaucracy Reporting

During the meeting, Jassy also discussed the success of Amazon’s internal system for reporting excess bureaucracy. Out of approximately 500 emails submitted, the company took action on about 150 of them, although he did not provide specific details. Jassy reiterated his dislike for bureaucracy, stating, “One of the reasons I’m still at this company is because it’s not a political, bureaucratic place.”

Financial Context

Despite the controversy surrounding the return-to-office mandate, Amazon recently reported a record-breaking profit of $15.3 billion for the third quarter of 2024 and expressed optimism about a strong holiday quarter ahead. This financial success contrasts sharply with employee dissatisfaction regarding workplace policies.

Conclusion

As Amazon moves forward with its five-day in-office mandate, it faces significant pushback from its workforce. Jassy’s reassurances about corporate culture and operational efficiency may not quell employee concerns about productivity and work-life balance.

The upcoming changes reflect broader trends in corporate America as companies navigate post-pandemic work environments. With ongoing discussions about remote work flexibility and employee satisfaction becoming increasingly prominent across various industries, Amazon’s approach will likely serve as a case study for other organizations grappling with similar challenges in their return-to-office strategies.

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

Zepto, the Bengaluru-based quick commerce startup, is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO) by facilitating a secondary share sale worth up to $250 million. This strategic move aims to increase Indian investor ownership from approximately 33% to nearly 50% before the anticipated public listing later this year or early next year.

Funding and Investor Details

The secondary sale will involve private equity firms, including Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Edelweiss Financial Services, allowing existing investors and employees to liquidate their shares. Although Zepto will not raise additional capital through this transaction, it is expected to execute the sale at a valuation of just over $5 billion, consistent with its last funding round in November 2024.

Objectives Behind the Sale

The primary goal of this secondary share sale is to enhance domestic ownership in Zepto, aligning with regulatory preferences and making the IPO more attractive to local institutional investors. Co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra currently hold about 20% of the company, and increasing Indian shareholder stakes is seen as a way to strengthen governance and influence over the company’s future direction.

Market Context

Zepto operates in India’s competitive grocery delivery market, facing challenges from established players like Amazon India, Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket. Founded in 2021 by Palicha and Vohra after they dropped out of Stanford University, Zepto has quickly gained traction in the quick commerce sector.

Conclusion

As Zepto approaches its IPO, this secondary share sale represents a crucial step in solidifying its position in the Indian market. By boosting domestic investor participation, Zepto aims to enhance its credibility and appeal as it prepares for a public listing amidst a wave of Indian startups entering the stock market.

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Regional OTT Platform STAGE Raises $12.5 Million to Expand Bhojpuri and Cultural Offerings

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Regional OTT platform STAGE has successfully raised $12.5 million in its Series B funding round, a move that highlights the increasing demand for regional content in India. The round was co-led by Goodwater Capital and Blume Ventures, with participation from Physis Capital and several angel investors.

The funding includes $10 million in primary capital and $2.5 million from secondary share sales, allowing early investors to partially exit. This capital will enable STAGE to enhance its content offerings, particularly in underserved languages like Bhojpuri, while strengthening its technological capabilities.

 

Since its launch in 2019, STAGE has quickly established itself as a leader in the regional OTT market, reporting an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of ₹180 crore (approximately $21.7 million) and over 4.4 million paying subscribers. The platform has achieved over 20 million app installs and experienced significant growth, with a 289% increase in revenue and a 286% rise in subscribers over the past year, driven by original series such as Videshi Bahu, Kaand 2010, and Bhawani.

 

CEO Vinay Singhal emphasized that this funding is not just financial support but a validation of India’s diverse regional cultures. He noted that dialects like Haryanvi and Bhojpuri should be celebrated rather than viewed as liabilities. With this new funding, STAGE plans to further invest in content creation and technology development to enrich its storytelling experience.

 

As the demand for regional language content continues to grow, STAGE’s strategic investments position it well to expand into more languages and cultural narratives, solidifying its place in the competitive OTT landscape alongside platforms like aha video and Chaupal.

 

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From Space to Earth: Sunita Williams’ Inspiring Journey and Homecoming Celebration

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Sunita Williams, the celebrated Indian-American astronaut, recently returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially scheduled for just eight days, her mission was prolonged due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which rendered it unsafe for their return.

On March 19, 2025, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore safely splashed down off the Florida coast. 

 

Their homecoming was celebrated in Jhulasan village, Gujarat, where special prayers and rituals were held to honor her safe return. Family members expressed their joy and gratitude, emphasizing her strong ties to her ancestral home.

Upon her return, Williams received accolades from Indian officials, including a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed pride in her achievements and resilience. He highlighted the inspiration she provides to future generations of scientists.

 

While her return marks a moment of celebration, it also signals the start of new challenges. After spending 286 days in space, Williams will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation period to readjust to life on Earth and regain physical strength.

Sunita Williams’ journey serves as an inspiration not only for India but for aspiring scientists worldwide, showcasing the significant contributions of Indian-origin individuals in global space exploration.

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