Amazon parents frustrated by loss of remote work flexibility

Amazon’s return to in-office work is a frustrating new reality for parents at the company who grew accustomed to the flexibility of remote work over the past few years. “This is not a return to normal,” said one Seattle mother who spoke to GeekWire. “This is a mandate to upend the care and systems we’ve built to raise our young children, when parents need flexibility and support the most.” (Above: A Bright Horizons childcare center on the Amazon headquarters campus in Seattle.) Read more.

• Are you an Amazon employee back at the office? We’d like to hear from you. Email tips@geekwire.com, or submit a message via our tips page.

Microsoft is gearing up for a "Windows 11 PC refresh" push at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, urging users to upgrade ahead of the October 2025 end-of-support deadline for Windows 10. Read more.

Amazon-owned video doorbell company Ring is branching into smoke and carbon monoxide detection through a partnership with fire-safety company Kidde, whose new line of devices will integrate Ring technology. Read more.

Traffic on Seattle-area roads got worse last year as more workers returned to the office. The metro area holds the No. 10 spot for worst congestion among U.S. cities, according to a new report from transportation analytics company Inrix. Read more.

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