The policy change is effective immediately and applies to
all its US employees regardless of vaccination status.
The decrease in paid leave corresponds to the newly
shortened isolation period recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the company said.
"Throughout the past two years, we have consistently
based our response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic on guidance from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the advice of our own
medical experts," Amazon said in a message viewed by CNN Business.
The recent surge of cases from the Omicron variant has
disrupted business and economic activity throughout different sectors. Another
1,600 flights were canceled Thursday, with airlines citing workers coming down
with Covid-19. Macy's is shortening its weekday hours this month.
Tuesday's guidance from the CDC said those with Covid-19 can
isolate for five days if they have no symptoms.
Amazon said all employees must report a positive diagnosis
and additional leave options are available for those who are still sick after
one week.
Earlier this week, Walmart announced it was cutting pandemic-related
paid leave to a single week. Walmart and Amazon are the two largest private
employers in the US, respectively.