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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

1. Irregardless ?? seriously?
2. Everyone knows it's not supposed to be a career that supports a family. It's exactly what you said - supplemental income.
3. Based on what you have said - I don't believe you worked there for a minute.

Some people cannot work a job that is more difficult mentally. Yes, these jobs should support at least a single person living in a studio apartment. It’s not like you can have a 16 year old do this job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

1. Irregardless ?? seriously?
2. Everyone knows it's not supposed to be a career that supports a family. It's exactly what you said - supplemental income.
3. Based on what you have said - I don't believe you worked there for a minute.

Some people cannot work a job that is more difficult mentally. Yes, these jobs should support at least a single person living in a studio apartment. It’s not like you can have a 16 year old do this job.

You absolutely can and they absolutely do. Especially seasonal employees. Home from college - hump boxes at Amazon for 6 weeks. Make bank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

1. Irregardless ?? seriously?
2. Everyone knows it's not supposed to be a career that supports a family. It's exactly what you said - supplemental income.
3. Based on what you have said - I don't believe you worked there for a minute.

Some people cannot work a job that is more difficult mentally. Yes, these jobs should support at least a single person living in a studio apartment. It’s not like you can have a 16 year old do this job.

You absolutely can and they absolutely do. Especially seasonal employees. Home from college - hump boxes at Amazon for 6 weeks. Make bank.

Who is supposed to work when school is in session?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

1. Irregardless ?? seriously?
2. Everyone knows it's not supposed to be a career that supports a family. It's exactly what you said - supplemental income.
3. Based on what you have said - I don't believe you worked there for a minute.

Some people cannot work a job that is more difficult mentally. Yes, these jobs should support at least a single person living in a studio apartment. It’s not like you can have a 16 year old do this job.

You absolutely can and they absolutely do. Especially seasonal employees. Home from college - hump boxes at Amazon for 6 weeks. Make bank.

Who is supposed to work when school is in session?

Whomever wants to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where where you located? AMA but no location is lame.

NP. I don’t think it matters at all and I think it’s a cool AMA.

OP, how did your body take it? Did you lose weight?

My body hurt, I’ve was constantly sweating like crazy at work (no air conditioning and the machines/other bodies just raise the temperature of the warehouse) and my pinky toe is numb from jamming against my steel toed shoes all day. I did also lose weight ( 6lbs) and found myself often too tired to eat properly most days.

I have worked in a warehouse for 6 months and have never been asked to wear steel toes shoes. Ever.

They’re trying to avoid paying workers comp. The provide free shoes via Zappos with a limited selection. All are steel toed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

1. Irregardless ?? seriously?
2. Everyone knows it's not supposed to be a career that supports a family. It's exactly what you said - supplemental income.
3. Based on what you have said - I don't believe you worked there for a minute.

A 40 hour a week job should never be considered supplemental. That’s a full time job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

1. Irregardless ?? seriously?
2. Everyone knows it's not supposed to be a career that supports a family. It's exactly what you said - supplemental income.
3. Based on what you have said - I don't believe you worked there for a minute.

Some people cannot work a job that is more difficult mentally. Yes, these jobs should support at least a single person living in a studio apartment. It’s not like you can have a 16 year old do this job.

You absolutely can and they absolutely do. Especially seasonal employees. Home from college - hump boxes at Amazon for 6 weeks. Make bank.

What the heck? Amazon warehouse jobs are NOT supplemental income. They are paid full-time positions, and Amazon is an all day, every day business with huge ouput. Do you really think they rely on seasonal workers to get you your Made in China plastic crap in 24 hours?

DO you people evn think before you write out nonsense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many steps did you log per shift? Weight loss ++

Would you ever be eligible for a free Prime membership?

Thanks for this AMA.

I lost 6 lbs but didn’t track my steps. They do not offer prime as a benefit. Amazon is cheap with their benefits outside of health insurance. You get 10% off Amazon products up to $100 a year. That’s all. The health insurance is nice and they do provide life insurance at no cost which would be 2x your annual pay but if you don’t nominate a beneficiary they will take it.

[Anonymous]

Cheek swab? Oh hell no.

[Anonymous]

Are they constantly sermonizing against unions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do they determine which warehouse to pull my order from?

If it’s being sold by Amazon and is a common/popular product it’s coming from the closest warehouse to you that has that product as nearly all the appropriately sized warehouses carry those item. Different warehouses have different products usually determined by the size of the product. The one I worked in had medium sized products. Things like printer paper, kids toys, diapers, pet food etc. There are other facilities that just handle smalls like lipstick, pens, etc or there is what’s known as amazonXL for very large items. If it’s a specialty item that is not a commonly purchased item it will be shipped from wherever they happened to store it.

how sophisticated are the warehouses? Do they use autonomous robots to pull product from aisle shelves?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they constantly sermonizing against unions?

No mention of unions but I imagine if one started to bring it up they would fire you on the spot as you are constantly reminded that you are an at will employee. I think unions mostly fail at Amazon because the workers don’t last long in the job to begin with. 90% of people leave the job before 3 months are up and it take time for unions to form and organize. They have an “amazonniversary” board congratulating employees on years of employment at the warehouse and maybe a dozen people were there more than 5 years at the one I was at. It’s just not long term employment for anyone so they can’t really organize or even care much about unions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cheek swab? Oh hell no.

Yup. Goes to quest labs and they promise they don’t test for marijuana because they would otherwise be out of a workforce. Scary because there is a lot of heavy machinery there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cheek swab? Oh hell no.

Yup. Goes to quest labs and they promise they don’t test for marijuana because they would otherwise be out of a workforce. Scary because there is a lot of heavy machinery there.

omg they do check for anyone working heavy machinery. Just stop. That is the law. Every warehouse tests. You are talking about Target they don't give a crap if they hurt someone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

How many coffee/restroom breaks were you allowed to take in the 10 hours?