Amazon is introducing a more stringent process for employees with disabilities to work from home, requiring a “multilevel leader review” that some say could deter workers from seeking accommodations. As part of its broader push to bring corporate employees back to the office, Amazon now mandates that requests for remote work include evaluations by accommodation consultants and approvals from multiple levels of management, even for employees who previously had permission to work remotely.
The new policy has sparked concern among Amazon’s workforce, especially among those who fear the process is overly complex and designed to reduce the likelihood of approval. Some employees report lengthy wait times and repeated documentation requests that, in some cases, have extended the process by weeks. Amazon’s spokesperson, Margaret Callahan, stated that the company is committed to making accommodations where appropriate and emphasized that in-person interactions remain vital for Amazon’s culture.
Advocates worry that Amazon’s policy, as one of the nation’s largest employers, could set a precedent that undermines pandemic-era gains in flexible work options for people with disabilities. Remote work, which significantly rose post-2020 has brought the percentage of disabled workers employed to 21% — the highest it has been since statistics started being collected in 2008. This includes a wide range of disabilities, including chronic conditions and mobility or even anxiety challenges. Ariel Simms, CEO of the advocacy group Disability Belongs, warned, “It sets a dangerous precedent with other employers,” suggesting that similar policies could discourage workers from seeking accommodations.
Legal experts note that if Amazon denies remote work requests, affected employees could file discrimination complaints, shifting the burden onto Amazon to prove that in-office attendance is essential for the role. Kenneth Shiotani, a senior attorney at the National Disability Rights Network, argued that this requirement is harder to justify in white-collar roles, where electronic communication is generally sufficient. Amazon’s latest move marks a notable stance in the ongoing debate over remote work and accessibility in corporate settings.
