Amazon - a brutal workplace?

[sarv_shaktimaan]

Amazon CEO wrote an email to all his employees about the very damaging article that appeared on NYT.

Originally Posted by Jeff Bezos

Dear Amazonians,

If you haven't already, I encourage you to give this (very long) New York Times article a careful read:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/technology/inside-amazon-wrestling-big-ideas-in-a-bruising-workplace.html

I also encourage you to read this very different take by a current Amazonian:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/amazonians-response-inside-amazon-wrestling-big-ideas-nick-ciubotariu

Here's why I'm writing you. The NYT article prominently features anecdotes describing shockingly callous management practices, including people being treated without empathy while enduring family tragedies and serious health problems. The article doesn't describe the Amazon I know or the caring Amazonians I work with every day. But if you know of any stories like those reported, I want you to escalate to HR. You can also email me directly at jeff@amazon.com. Even if it's rare or isolated, our tolerance for any such lack of empathy needs to be zero.

The article goes further than reporting isolated anecdotes. It claims that our intentional approach is to create a soulless, dystopian workplace where no fun is had and no laughter heard. Again, I don't recognize this Amazon and I very much hope you don't, either. More broadly, I don't think any company adopting the approach portrayed could survive, much less thrive, in today's highly competitive tech hiring market. The people we hire here are the best of the best. You are recruited every day by other world-class companies, and you can work anywhere you want.

I strongly believe that anyone working in a company that really is like the one described in the NYT would be crazy to stay. I know I would leave such a company.

But hopefully, you don't recognize the company described. Hopefully, you're having fun working with a bunch of brilliant teammates, helping invent the future, and laughing along the way.

Thank you,

Jeff

[sarv_shaktimaan]

Does any echarchan have a personal experience either current or previous to share about working at Amazon?

I have applied previously to Amazon jobs, and most Glassdoor reviews were negative on the same lines as the NYT article. That the company is verrry frugal and makes you work at least 12-14 hours everyday. That an employee who worked there for 10 years looks much older than people who work at Google, Microsoft, etc.

[sarv_shaktimaan]

Forbes puts Amazon CEO at #3 richest person in the world with his worth around 47 Big Bs, and his company at 250B. But the menials that toil day and night for his company get little in return.

Apparently many companies, and Amazon is the leader of the pack, based in big cities like Seattle like to hire people from out of the city so they can be brought in at lower salaries than people already living in the same city.

[Aashika]

Never worked with Amazon. Well, does the whole company needs to put in such long hours of specific departments? 12 hours Is a long time. Wonder how they get compensated after the first 8 hours.

[sarv_shaktimaan]

Overtime in full time jobs in IT is generally awarded by compensatory offs. 10 hours of overtime in the night and you get half day off on Friday.. Leave at 2pm instead of 4pm.

[Aashika]

Originally Posted by sarv_shaktimaan

Overtime in full time jobs in IT is generally awarded by compensatory offs. 10 hours of overtime in the night and you get half day off on Friday.. Leave at 2pm instead of 4pm.

Usually HR dictates how over time should work especially in big companies.
For us, anything past 8 hours counts as over time. Time and a half I.e and the comp-off can be taken any time they want.
If not, Amazon can end up in big trouble soon, if not right away.

[sarv_shaktimaan]

Things vary everywhere but very few get paid for overtime. If it exceeds 5-6 hours per week may be your manager will oblige.

Not only Amazon I do know Chase IT is infamous as 8am to 8pm, some workaholics love it, and these companies pay you well with great benefits at times.

[Aashika]

Brings us to an interesting question. What do families with young kids do in scenarios like this. Take a step back in career seems like the only option.

[Napolean]

If it is a matter of forever, then I would just leave and find some other organization to work in.
If it is a temporary thing , then it's okay - happens everywhere.

[Aashika]

Originally Posted by Napolean

If it is a matter of forever, then I would just leave and find some other organization to work in.
If it is a temporary thing , then it's okay - happens everywhere.

It didn't sound like a temporary thing. It wouldn't have made news if it were.

[dirty]

MY friend is a VP of one of the Amazon companies. It is most coveted place to work. I don't think what was in report is entirely true. It sounds like experience of a few disgruntled individuals. But the fast pace working is normal at least in IT sector for any company.
No one pays over time but that is then compensated with flexible working schedule . When I was in job market earlier , I would go to office at 11:00am while working and taking calls from home or if my calls continue throughout the morning I would decide just not to go and stay home.
All the flexibility was great but I did spend 60 hours a week on work with no over time.
When things are slow , I would take it easy and I would be running errands from office or spend time on EC. No one cared. That is the nature of the beast.

Also we were paid well. It's not a $15-$20 per hour . All the IT people make at least !00+ which is a good money but it comes with responsibilities .

[sarv_shaktimaan]

Amazon lists frugality as one of its core values. They proud themselves with not spending on things that don't matter to customers, so like a few folks I talked to said that you have old chairs to sit on in office, no dual monitors, no trainings, tech conferences in Vegas, no team outings, etc. In short a very dry experience. These things keep the prices of items down, good for everyone eventually but especially for bigshots like VPs, Directors, CEO.

You can get your own ergonomic chair, wireless mouse, keyboard and such things but Amazon never provides things of comfort or ease to employees, the folks I know are programmers, analysts and leads, things may be different for managers and above ranks.

[Jagmohan]

A little off-topic, but guys, this was interesting,...
had you seen this vdo?

How it works at Amazon?

Keep the format of VDO full screen - It's HD :

What happens when you place an order at Amazon,..

https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=wC4vITSVXoA

[sarv_shaktimaan]

Ex-Amazon workers from UK talk about horrendous conditions

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later.

I AGREE

These are blue collared workers but I've heard and read many stories on glassdoor about similar work culture at Amazon in India and US. Something I learned from watching this video.. Warehouse workers steps and speed of work is tracked by GPS devices they are made to wear.

[punkaj]

Problem is slackers will always complain, the challenge is to find a happy middle ground between extreme capitalism and extreme communism. In China people have no choice but work for 14-16 hours so you and I can buy the latest iPhone for $200 for 2 year contract, while those factory workers can never buy the same pone they make scores of every day.