Why I Hate Working For Amazon Warehouse
Working for an Amazon warehouse can have some potential drawbacks or challenges, depending on the specific location and the individual worker’s experience. Some of the potential demerits of working for an Amazon warehouse may include:
- Physical demands: Working in a warehouse can be physically demanding, as it may involve lifting, carrying, and moving heavy objects, as well as standing or walking for long periods of time.
- Repetitive tasks: Many tasks in a warehouse may be repetitive in nature, which can lead to boredom or monotony.
- Time pressure: Some workers may feel pressure to work quickly and meet productivity targets, which can lead to stress and fatigue.
- Limited advancement opportunities: Depending on the specific location and job role, there may be limited opportunities for advancement or career development.
- Poor working conditions: Some workers have reported poor working conditions in Amazon warehouses, including high temperatures, inadequate ventilation, and inadequate breaks.
- Low pay: Some workers may feel that the pay they receive is insufficient, especially considering the physical demands and time pressure of the job.
It’s important to note that these are generalizations and may not apply to every Amazon warehouse or every worker. It’s always a good idea to do your own research and consider the specific job and location before making a decision about working for Amazon.
What do staffs say working in Amazon Warehouse?
“When I started working at Amazon warehouse, I was very much excited to start my career. However, I quickly realized that I was in for a lot of challenges. One of these challenges is that the company does not make sure to take appropriate safety precautions. Moreover, there is a high possibility of being abused by the workers. And I am not just talking about physical abuse. There are other forms of abuse such as having to take mandatory extra time, being punished for taking bathroom breaks, and more.”
Mandatory Extra Time
The holiday season is a big time for Amazon warehouse employees. This is the time of year when the company has to double its package influx, and workers are on their feet all day long. A worker’s job is to problem solve for the hundreds of thousands of items that are shipped through the facility each day.
Amazon warehouse workers complain about unfavorable working conditions, including mandatory extra time. Workers say that they are required to work ten to twenty hours a month, in addition to regular shifts. They also argue that they are paid less during peak season than during other times of the year.
During the peak season, employees are on call for at least one overtime shift every week. However, the company often organizes these hours without their knowledge. If an employee is not able to make it, they may not receive overtime pay.
Many Amazon employees have complained about the lack of peak pay. For example, one former employee claimed that Amazon rounded shift times to the nearest quarter-hour, rather than the half-hour, which would have made for a more meaningful pay hike.
In March 2016, Amazon rolled out a new overtime policy. Hourly employees can sign up for overtime via the company’s app. As long as they are earning at least $10 an hour, they will be entitled to time and a half for overtime.
Warehouse workers are expected to work at least eight hours a day, and up to ten or more. During the peak season, they can work more than a 60-hour week, though the company does not specify exactly how many hours a week a warehouse employee must work.
On top of this, Amazon will not provide paid sick leave to its warehouse employees. Employees are also encouraged to report illness or injuries to their supervisors, and to stay hydrated.
Despite the benefits of having a flexible schedule, many Amazon employees have complained about the lack of extra pay and benefits. Workers have also complained about a lack of safety, dignity, and hazard pay.
Punishment for taking bathroom breaks
Amazon warehouse workers have been forced to avoid taking bathroom breaks to meet the company’s productivity goals. But the problem isn’t just the punishment. The problem is the metric used to measure productivity.
There are several metrics used by Amazon to measure the productivity of its employees. One is called the “Time off Task” or TOT. It measures the average amount of time an employee spends away from their workstation. Amazon hasn’t explained how much TOT a worker accumulates, though. Some employees claim it limits their ability to take legally required breaks.
Another is the “speed of finding items.” Workers in Amazon warehouses track their speed to find things. They also track their pace while packaging items. And, they’ve been reported to have experienced serious injuries at a higher rate than other warehouse employees.
A third is the “toilet,” which many workers say is a source of stress. Many Amazon workers have reported feeling sick after working long hours in the warehouse.
Besides requiring workers to take bathroom breaks, Amazon has also been accused of violating state health and safety laws. A recent survey found that almost three-quarters of fulfillment center staff are afraid to use the bathroom.
Amazon workers have also been caught urinating in plastic bottles. According to an anonymous source, management has been tracking toilet breaks, but it’s not clear how often.
While Amazon hasn’t admitted that its warehouses violate state laws, it has admitted to using urination as a way to measure productivity. Earlier this year, it was forced to admit that its delivery drivers had been urinating in plastic bottles.
Amazon’s warehouse workers say that they are subjected to unjust and unfair disciplinary actions due to the company’s punitive tracking system. For instance, one worker said a supervisor had called them in for a meeting to discuss their conduct.
In addition to monitoring bathroom breaks, Amazon measures other important metrics such as the amount of time workers talk to each other, the speed they pack items, and the number of times they miss performance targets. Amazon issues warning points when employees fail to meet a goal.
Lack of safety precautions
Amazon warehouse workers are complaining about the lack of safety precautions in their workplace. According to internal records and records from OSHA, workers have reported over 22 serious injuries for every 100 employees. This is five times higher than the industry average.
Workers also complained of inadequate sick leave. Warehouse workers are expected to work overtime. Those workers who get injured have been discouraged from seeking medical care. The company has also been accused of misleading the public about its safety record.
In January, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Amazon warehouses have more serious injury incidents than Walmart. They had 5.9 cases of serious injuries per 200,000 hours of work in 2020, while Walmart had 2.5 cases for every 100 employees.
A recent investigation by Fast Company revealed that Amazon employees were given inconsistent safety standards. It found that the company’s guidelines contradicted official public health recommendations.
Amazon workers are reporting that the company is not adequately protecting them from the coronavirus. The aerosolized virus, which has killed more than 14,500 people around the world, can settle on surfaces for up to 30 minutes.
Some Amazon workers say that they have been placed in light-duty jobs that require them to work in a physical role for the first time. Warehouse workers are also complaining about the company’s intense pressure to meet productivity goals.
Amazon’s safety report for 2019 shows that the company had a significantly lower rate of lost-time injuries than it had in 2018. However, the company’s overall injury rate is still well above industry standards.
The reports also reveal that the number of serious injuries went up, with Prime Day and Cyber Monday having the highest rates of injury. During those days, Amazon warehouses had the highest rates of injury in the country.
Workers have been receiving weekly data from more than 150 Amazon warehouses. These reports include a breakdown of weekly injury numbers from the nationwide network of fulfillment centers.
Amazon warehouses are required to meet hourly pay and overtime rates. Workers are also expected to show up in person. If they can’t, they can leave the job.
Abuse of workers
Amazon’s high injury and turnover rates at its warehouses have been a subject of concern. Many employees have filed complaints with state and federal agencies, alleging that management often ignores their requests to change shifts or swap out shifts. They also claim that management is racist, retaliating against employees who have complained.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the rate of injuries at Amazon’s warehouses is nearly three times the national average. Workers report that their breaks are short, and they often have to walk up to 15 minutes to get to the break room. In addition, workers say they are expected to work through weather warnings and storms.
An investigation by The New York Times revealed evidence of illegal Amazon management practices. Workers had to endure excessively long hours, and managers had been known to force employees to work in unhealthy conditions. A reporter compared injury records from 23 of Amazon’s 110 fulfillment centers around the country.
One former worker suffered a severe asthma attack. She felt like she had been hit by a bus. After a hospitalization, the company told her to return to work, but she had no accrued time off.
Another worker was fired for a racist incident. She had to take a loan to survive. Some workers had to urinate in bottles to make it through their shifts. Other workers reported being required to wear sweatshirts or gloves even on hot days.
Many employees said that Amazon is obsessed with getting products out quickly. They argue that they face unnecessary pressure to meet productivity quotas.
The National Labor Relations Board continues to clash with Amazon. There have been 140 actions against the company in more than 40 countries.
Despite Amazon’s booming profits, it has been accused of needlessly abusing power over workers and small businesses. It is important for shareholders to hold the company accountable.
In addition to the workplace mistreatment, Amazon has also been under the microscope by lawmakers and civil rights groups. It has been accused of needlessly threatening communities of color.
Why I Hate Working For Amazon Warehouse
Working for an Amazon warehouse can have some potential drawbacks or challenges, depending on the specific location and the individual worker’s experience. Some of the potential demerits of working for an Amazon warehouse may include:
- Physical demands: Working in a warehouse can be physically demanding, as it may involve lifting, carrying, and moving heavy objects, as well as standing or walking for long periods of time.
- Repetitive tasks: Many tasks in a warehouse may be repetitive in nature, which can lead to boredom or monotony.
- Time pressure: Some workers may feel pressure to work quickly and meet productivity targets, which can lead to stress and fatigue.
- Limited advancement opportunities: Depending on the specific location and job role, there may be limited opportunities for advancement or career development.
- Poor working conditions: Some workers have reported poor working conditions in Amazon warehouses, including high temperatures, inadequate ventilation, and inadequate breaks.
- Low pay: Some workers may feel that the pay they receive is insufficient, especially considering the physical demands and time pressure of the job.
It’s important to note that these are generalizations and may not apply to every Amazon warehouse or every worker. It’s always a good idea to do your own research and consider the specific job and location before making a decision about working for Amazon.
What do staffs say working in Amazon Warehouse?
“When I started working at Amazon warehouse, I was very much excited to start my career. However, I quickly realized that I was in for a lot of challenges. One of these challenges is that the company does not make sure to take appropriate safety precautions. Moreover, there is a high possibility of being abused by the workers. And I am not just talking about physical abuse. There are other forms of abuse such as having to take mandatory extra time, being punished for taking bathroom breaks, and more.”
Mandatory Extra Time
The holiday season is a big time for Amazon warehouse employees. This is the time of year when the company has to double its package influx, and workers are on their feet all day long. A worker’s job is to problem solve for the hundreds of thousands of items that are shipped through the facility each day.
Amazon warehouse workers complain about unfavorable working conditions, including mandatory extra time. Workers say that they are required to work ten to twenty hours a month, in addition to regular shifts. They also argue that they are paid less during peak season than during other times of the year.
During the peak season, employees are on call for at least one overtime shift every week. However, the company often organizes these hours without their knowledge. If an employee is not able to make it, they may not receive overtime pay.
Many Amazon employees have complained about the lack of peak pay. For example, one former employee claimed that Amazon rounded shift times to the nearest quarter-hour, rather than the half-hour, which would have made for a more meaningful pay hike.
In March 2016, Amazon rolled out a new overtime policy. Hourly employees can sign up for overtime via the company’s app. As long as they are earning at least $10 an hour, they will be entitled to time and a half for overtime.
Warehouse workers are expected to work at least eight hours a day, and up to ten or more. During the peak season, they can work more than a 60-hour week, though the company does not specify exactly how many hours a week a warehouse employee must work.
On top of this, Amazon will not provide paid sick leave to its warehouse employees. Employees are also encouraged to report illness or injuries to their supervisors, and to stay hydrated.
Despite the benefits of having a flexible schedule, many Amazon employees have complained about the lack of extra pay and benefits. Workers have also complained about a lack of safety, dignity, and hazard pay.
Punishment for taking bathroom breaks
Amazon warehouse workers have been forced to avoid taking bathroom breaks to meet the company’s productivity goals. But the problem isn’t just the punishment. The problem is the metric used to measure productivity.
There are several metrics used by Amazon to measure the productivity of its employees. One is called the “Time off Task” or TOT. It measures the average amount of time an employee spends away from their workstation. Amazon hasn’t explained how much TOT a worker accumulates, though. Some employees claim it limits their ability to take legally required breaks.
Another is the “speed of finding items.” Workers in Amazon warehouses track their speed to find things. They also track their pace while packaging items. And, they’ve been reported to have experienced serious injuries at a higher rate than other warehouse employees.
A third is the “toilet,” which many workers say is a source of stress. Many Amazon workers have reported feeling sick after working long hours in the warehouse.
Besides requiring workers to take bathroom breaks, Amazon has also been accused of violating state health and safety laws. A recent survey found that almost three-quarters of fulfillment center staff are afraid to use the bathroom.
Amazon workers have also been caught urinating in plastic bottles. According to an anonymous source, management has been tracking toilet breaks, but it’s not clear how often.
While Amazon hasn’t admitted that its warehouses violate state laws, it has admitted to using urination as a way to measure productivity. Earlier this year, it was forced to admit that its delivery drivers had been urinating in plastic bottles.
Amazon’s warehouse workers say that they are subjected to unjust and unfair disciplinary actions due to the company’s punitive tracking system. For instance, one worker said a supervisor had called them in for a meeting to discuss their conduct.
In addition to monitoring bathroom breaks, Amazon measures other important metrics such as the amount of time workers talk to each other, the speed they pack items, and the number of times they miss performance targets. Amazon issues warning points when employees fail to meet a goal.
Lack of safety precautions
Amazon warehouse workers are complaining about the lack of safety precautions in their workplace. According to internal records and records from OSHA, workers have reported over 22 serious injuries for every 100 employees. This is five times higher than the industry average.
Workers also complained of inadequate sick leave. Warehouse workers are expected to work overtime. Those workers who get injured have been discouraged from seeking medical care. The company has also been accused of misleading the public about its safety record.
In January, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Amazon warehouses have more serious injury incidents than Walmart. They had 5.9 cases of serious injuries per 200,000 hours of work in 2020, while Walmart had 2.5 cases for every 100 employees.
A recent investigation by Fast Company revealed that Amazon employees were given inconsistent safety standards. It found that the company’s guidelines contradicted official public health recommendations.
Amazon workers are reporting that the company is not adequately protecting them from the coronavirus. The aerosolized virus, which has killed more than 14,500 people around the world, can settle on surfaces for up to 30 minutes.
Some Amazon workers say that they have been placed in light-duty jobs that require them to work in a physical role for the first time. Warehouse workers are also complaining about the company’s intense pressure to meet productivity goals.
Amazon’s safety report for 2019 shows that the company had a significantly lower rate of lost-time injuries than it had in 2018. However, the company’s overall injury rate is still well above industry standards.
The reports also reveal that the number of serious injuries went up, with Prime Day and Cyber Monday having the highest rates of injury. During those days, Amazon warehouses had the highest rates of injury in the country.
Workers have been receiving weekly data from more than 150 Amazon warehouses. These reports include a breakdown of weekly injury numbers from the nationwide network of fulfillment centers.
Amazon warehouses are required to meet hourly pay and overtime rates. Workers are also expected to show up in person. If they can’t, they can leave the job.
Abuse of workers
Amazon’s high injury and turnover rates at its warehouses have been a subject of concern. Many employees have filed complaints with state and federal agencies, alleging that management often ignores their requests to change shifts or swap out shifts. They also claim that management is racist, retaliating against employees who have complained.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the rate of injuries at Amazon’s warehouses is nearly three times the national average. Workers report that their breaks are short, and they often have to walk up to 15 minutes to get to the break room. In addition, workers say they are expected to work through weather warnings and storms.
An investigation by The New York Times revealed evidence of illegal Amazon management practices. Workers had to endure excessively long hours, and managers had been known to force employees to work in unhealthy conditions. A reporter compared injury records from 23 of Amazon’s 110 fulfillment centers around the country.
One former worker suffered a severe asthma attack. She felt like she had been hit by a bus. After a hospitalization, the company told her to return to work, but she had no accrued time off.
Another worker was fired for a racist incident. She had to take a loan to survive. Some workers had to urinate in bottles to make it through their shifts. Other workers reported being required to wear sweatshirts or gloves even on hot days.
Many employees said that Amazon is obsessed with getting products out quickly. They argue that they face unnecessary pressure to meet productivity quotas.
The National Labor Relations Board continues to clash with Amazon. There have been 140 actions against the company in more than 40 countries.
Despite Amazon’s booming profits, it has been accused of needlessly abusing power over workers and small businesses. It is important for shareholders to hold the company accountable.
In addition to the workplace mistreatment, Amazon has also been under the microscope by lawmakers and civil rights groups. It has been accused of needlessly threatening communities of color.