Experiences and Insights on Working at Amazon for the First Job

Amazon, one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world, offers a unique environment for its employees. The company places a significant emphasis on safety, fitness, and personal development, particularly for its youngest recruits. However, there are both positive and negative aspects of working at Amazon, which can significantly impact job satisfaction and long-term career prospects.

Positive Aspects of Working at Amazon

Upon joining Amazon, new hires are immersed in an intensive orientation program. This typically involves a half-day orientation on the first day, where employees begin to familiarize themselves with the company's culture, leadership principles, and core values. Additionally, there are multiple sessions, both formal and informal, where newer hires meet with senior staff, stakeholders, project managers, and various other team members. This helps in understanding the current goals and the impact one can have within the organization.

The first few days might also include a significant amount of “indoctrination,” such as watching videos featuring Jeff Bezos and the S-Team, and learning about Amazon’s leadership principles. These principles emphasize customer obsession, passion for inventing, and frugality, which are central to the company's ethos. Training in Amazon's build tools and code review processes is also a key part of the onboarding process to ensure that new hires adhere to the high standards set by the company.

Negative Aspects of Working at Amazon

However, the reality at Amazon may vary from the ideal. My second stint at Amazon revealed some concerning practices. Management took actions that could be viewed as unethical or unsafe, raising doubts about the company's commitment to employee welfare.

One prominent issue was the involvement in operations that put the physical safety of employees at risk. For example, I was once ordered to clear a jam by manually working on a moving conveyor, which is a dangerous task. The manager even complained that I momentarily turned off the conveyor to clear the jam, despite it being a safer and more efficient approach.

Another aspect that was concerning was the fair treatment of working parents. Due to operational constraints, working parents' starting times were shifted by 5 hours or more, forcing them to choose shifts that were essentially from noon to midnight. This significantly impacted their family life and work-life balance.

Additionally, the use of malfunctioning equipment that posed a physical risk to employees was common. If production rates decreased because of slower production to make equipment safer, employees were disciplined. Conversely, if the equipment was marked as unsafe, it was ignored, further undermining the safety standards.

The Labor Model at Amazon

Amazon's labor model is deliberately designed to create an environment where employees endure challenges and are expected to push through them. This may foster a sense of resilience, but it can also lead to a stressful and abusive working environment. The use of robotic systems that often malfunction and pose risks to employees is a stark illustration of this model.

The experience with two robotic systems that lost track of their location and crashed through a fence highlighted the shortcomings of the automation systems. These incidents raise questions about the company's commitment to both employee safety and the effectiveness of its technology.

Conclusion and Reflection

My overall experience at Amazon was mixed. While the company offers a robust learning environment and a commitment to core values, the negative practices observed during my second stint raised serious concerns. Given these issues, it's no wonder that I no longer buy from Amazon, Whole Foods, or any other brand owned by Amazon. The balance between efficiency, safety, and employee rights seems to be skewed in favor of the former at the cost of the latter.

Final Thoughts

Working at Amazon can present a unique opportunity for professional growth, but it's crucial to stay informed and attentive to the company's practices, especially regarding employee welfare. The negative experiences shared here are anecdotal, but they highlight the importance of advocating for better conditions and safer work environments within the company.