I took a job at an Amazon warehouse for 2 weeks because I was curious. AMA.

[Anonymous]

I took a job at an Amazon warehouse for 2 weeks instead of going on vacation because I was curious. I was partially inspired by an article written by Philip Su a former tech executive who took the position to cure depression. I’m college educated and a small business owner. AMA. I quit this weekend. It’s been interesting.

[Anonymous]

How hard did it suck?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How hard did it suck?

It sucks. Not going to lie. The work week is 4 days for 10.5 hours (includes a 30 minute unpaid lunch). Unlike other jobs they do track your every move. You’re constantly scanning your badge so they know what you’re up to meaning there is no down time. You work your full 10 hours on your feet wearing steel toed safety shoes. A lot of people complain about back and foot pain. They also express they are depressed because the job does not allow you much time to talk to coworkers. It’s an isolating job.

[Anonymous]

1) thank you.

2) what were your coworkers like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took a job at an Amazon warehouse for 2 weeks instead of going on vacation because I was curious. I was partially inspired by an article written by Philip Su a former tech executive who took the position to cure depression. I’m college educated and a small business owner. AMA. I quit this weekend. It’s been interesting.

How much were you paid?

[Anonymous]

Did you see my kids' cowboy hats somewhere in the warehouse? I ordered them weeks ago, but after 2 weeks Amazon canceled it.

[Anonymous]

What was your quota?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1) thank you.

2) what were your coworkers like?

Most people that work there are young. 18-25. Many are trying to pay for college with the help of Amazon (they do offer a college program) or use the income to subsidize their tuition/room and board. Amazon is apparently very good about working around their schedules. This may mean though they work 3rd shift. It was honestly the most diverse work place I had ever seen. People of all races, religions, orientations etc. In that respect Amazon is very good. People got a long well and were very respectful of each other. There were some older people including 60 plus. Many of those people only know warehouse work and from speaking to them their whole family only does warehouse work. It almost reminded me of the coal mining families from WV.

[Anonymous]

Where is the warehouse?

Sounds perfect for an introvert/non-social person. And a compressed work week to boot? Eh, not bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took a job at an Amazon warehouse for 2 weeks instead of going on vacation because I was curious. I was partially inspired by an article written by Philip Su a former tech executive who took the position to cure depression. I’m college educated and a small business owner. AMA. I quit this weekend. It’s been interesting.

How much were you paid?

17.50 per hour. My base was 16 but because of a night time differential I got an extra 1.50 per hour. 16 is a standard base irregardless of location meaning people in NYC and SF make the same. I don’t know how someone would live on what is basically $500 a week after taxes in those locales.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was your quota?

They never gave me the exact quota but my scanner said I needed to pick something every 60 to 90 seconds depending on the size of the item. I mostly picked bulky items. The worst was cat litter and cases of water. The warehouse workers are definitely cursing out people who buy those things. The cat litter feels like you’re lifting a lead brick and people order a ton of it. After that people hate to pick the 50lb bags of pet food. They rips open easily and need to be cleaned up quickly.

[Anonymous]

Not a snarky question, but was it weird knowing you were working there out of curiousity and others out of necessity?

[Anonymous]

What was the most surprising thing to you about the experience?

[Anonymous]

What surprised you? Either in a good way or bad.
Will you continue to be a customer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a snarky question, but was it weird knowing you were working there out of curiousity and others out of necessity?

Yes and no. I didn’t feel like I took away a position from someone because amazon had something like 60 positions open when I applied. All you do is fill out your personal info, select a shift and get a cheek swab drug test. 3 days later I was working. You don’t need to interview or have any prior experience. They also have huge turnover and their response is to just bring in more new people. For example 15 new people entered the same day I did and by week 2 10 of them quit. One quit in the middle of training and cried because he said he couldn’t take hard physical labor anymore and wanted to be valued for more than his body. That was heartbreaking to watch. Even the trainer admitted Amazon does not care and that when one person walks out they’ll just line up a new person. To quit all you need to do is hit a resign button on their employee app. You don’t have to give an explanation or talk to HR. Amazon is very much a cold machine.