Comments on: Amazon Fires Hundreds Via Computer Algorithm. I’m Okay with That.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 22:02:09 +0000

I think too much evidence points to the algorithm being calibrated too strictly as far as the human outcomes. There’s always someone that needs the money, but as a society we have a vested interest in there being better working conditions than this:
https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/whats-it-really-like-working-for-amazon-a-survey-of-241-warehouse-employees-says-its-toxic-one-called-it-worse-than-prison.html

By: sunnyday

sunnyday — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 18:06:33 +0000

In reply to MariaRose. Agreed. In my area, you can find a warehouse job for $8.00/hr and the pace will be more casual. If you want to make the $15/hr then you will need to be focused and keep up the pace. I actually appreciate that workers have access to their productivity so they can see for themselves where they need to improve. Amazon wants people who have drive and are dedicated. If anything ever happened to my job, I would certainly consider giving it a try. But I'm not sure I would be fast/skilled enough!

By: m

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:44:28 +0000

I worked at Amazon briefly a couple of years ago, taking a break after 25 years of being a registered nurse. It’s everything they say it is and then some but I can’t say I regret working there. For one thing, I never missed a break or a lunch. I got health insurance starting Day 1 and it was better than my last hospital’s insurance. And when my boss said “it’s your PTO, you can take it when you please, you don’t have to ask” it’s amazing I didn’t fall over dead from shock.

I quit because I just wasn’t very good at it. Picking takes mental focus and I while I could keep up with Rate requirements, it was stressful. If I’m going to be stressed at work I may as well go back to being a nurse, where at least I made decent money. But the managers at Amazon are decent people and all their expectations are consistently and clearly laid out. I was treated much, much worse by my employers when I was a nurse.

By: grannybunny

grannybunny — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 12:01:01 +0000

Do you want it fast or good? Speed in packing doesn’t always translate into adequate care to protect the contents, some of which are sensitive electronic devices. Personally, I have received items from Amazon that I did not believe were adequately packed, in that the contents had shifted, or the outer box was either too small — or too large — for the contents. Fortunately, the contents were not damaged. But, way to go for Amazon in discovering yet one more way to dehumanize their employees.

By: MariaRose

MariaRose — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 18:40:39 +0000

The main complainers about this job performance requirement are those who knew at hiring but expect to not be held to that achievement after they discover that doing this type of job performance is too hard of an effort. I doubt that Amazon itself doesn’t allow sufficient bathroom breaks especially if that job is a standing not sitting job, which should allow a break every two hours. Breaks don’t require team effort plus cigarette breaks aren’t separate extra breaks. I have found smokers feel they need and demand more breaks than allowed, hence another complaint about not enough breaks in the work period.
I agree with EvilHR lady that working in an Amazon warehouse is not a job for most who expect to not make any effort to work, but the tempo of performance is quite similar to working the drive through at any fast food restaurant during the rush by yourself. You have to be very organized and able to multi-task while maintaining a positive attitude. At least at the warehouse job, you aren’t dealing directly with customers who knowingly or not, can hold up the line. The only one holding up your performance is you. Besides if you really need to have a job that pays well enough to cover your expenses, you need to make an effort to work. There’s no such thing as Basic Income even though our politicians claim they can provide this “dream “.

By: Chris Hogg

Chris Hogg — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 13:06:47 +0000

Agree with your take on this.

And am reminded of the movie, Metropolis, by Fritz Lang.