• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechAmazon

Amazon tells employees to work from home if they can. Warehouse workers can’t

By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 12, 2020, 7:45 PM ET

Amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, Amazon has asked employees to work from home if their jobs allow it—a policy that excludes warehouse workers and drivers.

The online retailing giant revealed its updated work-from-home guidance on Thursday. Previously, the company had only asked employees who worked in certain offices, including in Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area, to stay home.

The revised policy does not apply to most warehouse workers or delivery drivers who are unable to do their jobs remotely.

“We continue to work closely with public and private medical experts to ensure we are taking the right precautions as the situation continues to evolve,” an Amazon spokesperson said in an email.  “As a result, we are now recommending that all of our employees globally who are able to work from home do so through the end of March.”

Other big tech companies that have implemented work-from-home policies include Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Salesforce. However, they don’t have large retail operations that require warehouses that are staffed around the clock.

Amazon also said on Wednesday in a blog post that any employee “diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed into quarantine will receive up to two-weeks of pay.” Hourly employees who are sick but not diagnosed with the virus are eligible for unpaid time off through the end of March.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—Google Doodle celebrates International Women’s Day
—Growing coronavirus threat weighs on Apple
—When will PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X debut?
—NASA hiring new astronauts for the first time in four years
—WATCH: Best earbuds in 2020: Apple AirPods Pro Vs. Sony WF-1000XM3

Catch up with
Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily digest on the business of tech.

About the Author
By Jonathan Vanian
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Jonathan Vanian is a former Fortune reporter. He covered business technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and other topics.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

NewslettersFortune Tech
After pulling the plug on its own robotaxis, Uber is building a fleet with Rivian
By Alexei OreskovicMarch 20, 2026
38 minutes ago
Future of WorkTech
Nvidia’s CEO says AI adoption will be gradual, but when it does hit, we may all end up making robot clothing
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMarch 20, 2026
2 hours ago
fabio
CommentaryLoneliness
Why my $150 million startup thinks it can solve the $406 billion loneliness problem
By Fabio BinMarch 20, 2026
2 hours ago
Man in a suit touches servers in a rack.
Investingfraud
Supermicro’s co-founder was just arrested for allegedly smuggling $2.5 billion in GPUs to China
By Amanda GerutMarch 19, 2026
8 hours ago
InnovationUber Technologies
Uber will operate its own robotaxis again—this time with Rivian’s not‑yet‑built EVs
By Jessica MathewsMarch 19, 2026
16 hours ago
AIoriginal content
The CEO of Patreon blasts AI companies for the ‘bogus excuse’ they’re using to not pay artists
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMarch 19, 2026
17 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.