The End of Hybrid Work? Amazon Mandates Employees Back to the Office. 

Amazon made headlines last week by announcing a full-time return-to-office mandate, requiring all employees globally to be in the office five days a week. 

The new Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, is not alone in advocating for a return to in-person work. According to a recent KPMG survey, nearly 80% of CEOs believe their employees will be back in the office full-time within the next three years—a sharp rise from just 34% earlier this year.

For many global leaders, the push comes from a belief that the office fosters better collaboration, innovation, and company culture. However, many employees didn’t quite agree: Amazon employees have voiced dissatisfaction, with some reportedly “coffee badging”—swiping into the office but leaving soon after​.

Vietnam’s Reality: Shifting Preferences and Priorities

In Vietnam, the sentiment around hybrid work is evolving. 

Back in 2020, 82% of respondents in PwC’s Vietnam Digital Readiness report predicted that work from home would continue to grow even after COVID-19. However, fast forward to 2024, and only 11.6% of workers now list hybrid working as a top priority, with most emphasizing salary, job security, and career growth.

Vietnam’s labor market is rapidly transforming, driven by digitalization and the growing importance of tech roles​. And just like Amazon, many Vietnamese companies, especially those in tech and manufacturing, prefer in-office work to foster team collaboration and culture, according to a recent Adecco report.

However, the report also notes that employees working for international companies are more likely to enjoy hybrid or even remote work privileges “as part of their employee satisfaction policies.” Especially for non-tech roles like sales managers, account managers, and BD directors, employers often “offer hybrid working arrangements to foster company culture while allowing for employee flexibility.” 

This hybrid offering is in line with global trends, where, contrary to headlines, hybrid work is actually on the rise. According to a recent Owl Labs study, “27% of workers are working in a hybrid format—up one percentage point from 2023—and 11% are fully remote—an increase from 7% in 2023.”

What Should Vietnam’s Business Leaders Do?

For Vietnamese business leaders, balancing employee preferences with company needs is key. Here’s how you can navigate these global trends while catering to the local market:

1. Offer Hybrid Models: While many companies are doing just fine from the office full-time, a hybrid policy could make sense depending on your industry and how competitive the market is for your potential employees.  

2. Focus on Employee Well-Being: Vietnamese workers increasingly value work-life balance. Flexible hours or compressed workweeks are attractive options that can improve employee satisfaction without compromising productivity.

Emphasize Career Growth: Especially Gen Z prioritizes opportunities for career advancement. Ensure your company offers clear career paths and development opportunities to attract and retain top talent.

The Role of the Office: More Than Just a Workspace

For hybrid and in-office models to be successful, the office needs to be more than just a place to sit at a desk. In Vietnam, offices can serve as hubs for collaboration, creativity, and engagement, where teams come together to brainstorm and innovate.

Dreamplex’s serviced offices and coworking spaces can be a cost-effective way for businesses to build engaging places where teams love coming to work without committing to long-term leases. 

As the Adecco report also highlighted, these spaces are particularly appealing to startups and fast-growing companies looking to scale a significant upfront investment..

No matter what the future of work brings, your business can thrive by leveraging flexible workspaces and work models while focusing on employee well-being and career growth.