10 Rules That Can Get You Fired From Amazon - Page 2

RockdaMan · 12-20-2010, 12:38 PM

Nothing crazy here. If a worker shows up with shoes that the site sells though, does that mean that they have to do their shift shoe-less?

tubemonkey · 12-20-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Nothing crazy here. If a worker shows up with shoes that the site sells though, does that mean that they have to do their shift shoe-less?

They also sell clothing...

Purple Lady · 12-20-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Makes a lot of sense. Sick with an infection, so go to work and spread the infection to customers and fellow employees.

I work in an office setting and we only get 5 sick days a year. I'm home sick today and will have to go to work tommorrow no matter how bad I still am - I had one vacation day left I was going to use on Thursday, so I'll have to go to work Thursday now too.

The only job I ever had that had good sick leave was the state government.

Blossom · 12-20-2010, 01:34 PM

My hubby works at a factory on an assembly line. They have a 6 point system. Half point for being late and full point for missing a day of work. Once you get to 5 to 6 points they put you on what is called Last Chance and then you're let go if you miss any more.

Points resets once a year. Sick days are not allowed. Once you worked there 2 years you do get 5 vacation days for a full year which are good for sick days.

However you can still be let go at any time if they think you missed too much work before you get to 6 points.

The only water allowed rule is weird. My husband lives on Gatorade to do his job.

Andrew H. · 12-20-2010, 01:39 PM

Amazon hired 2,500 temp workers in my state for these jobs. They pay about $12/hour.

I really see nothing unreasonable about any of those rules, actually, and none of them strike me as a particular hardship.

And it doesn't appear that most of these are instant firing offenses - if you talk too much, you get moved; if you keep talking, you might get written up; eventually, you might be fired.

If you show up 30 minutes late, you get docked 1/2 a point; don't show up at all and get docked 3 points; collect 6 points and you're fired.

FWIW, I wish more places prohibited employees from showing up sick. Infecting everyone else in the warehouse isn't a good business practice. And as I order from Amazon a lot, I would also like to think that no one with the flu coughed on my new package.

Kali Yuga · 12-20-2010, 01:49 PM

I concur there isn't really much to gripe about here, other than the sick day thing.

Unsafe work environments, employee lock-ins, tolerance for sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, tricks to bust up unions, all are much worse than this.

Besides, all of you folks want Your Stuff fast, on time, and cheaper than humanly possible. One way any online vendor accomplishes that is by having a super-efficient workflow. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that includes not getting gum or spilling beverages loaded with high fructose corn syrup all over the place....

vaughnmr · 12-20-2010, 01:55 PM

I worked on a production line years ago at a P&G facility, and the job requirements were similar then. A lot of the "rules" have a little history behind them, so they are probably an attempt to fight workplace abuses (like drinking on the job, it does happen, hence the water bottle comment).

I don't see what this has to do with the ebook business, unless you want to attempt to paint Amazon with a bad view. You could apply the same view to the shipping carriers down the line. Or maybe the OP, having never worked in that envirnment, just didn't know.

ProfCrash · 12-20-2010, 04:28 PM

I am not sure that the sick employee was that bad. The report says that she was fired because she was sick when she interviewed and did not tell them. If she was unable to work at the proper pace and her excuse was that she was sick and she was sick when she was hired, she withheld information that would have prevented her from being hired in the first place.

A Warehouse that runs on everyone getting a certain amount of work is not going to hire someone who cannot get the minimum amount of work done due to illness. I don't really see where that is a bad thing.

The water rule makes sense to me. If some water is spilled on something it is less likely to stain or damage an item then other drinks. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that some areas require that water be kept a certain distance from the line because the products are delicate or wrapping paper would be ruined by water.

wvcherrybomb · 12-20-2010, 05:13 PM

All of these rules seem reasonable to me. It doesn't say that they're not allowed sick days, just that a woman who was chronically ill was fired.

Regardless, I'm glad to be an independant contractor that works from home. I have zero benefits and only get paid for what work I complete, but at least I can suck down Pepsi and take a nap when I want. And browse internet forums...

Barcey · 12-20-2010, 05:24 PM

I guess it's ok to read an ebook while you work... as long as it's not a Kindle or another model they sell.

Well it's not on the list.

mikemc2 · 12-20-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

My hubby works at a factory on an assembly line.

The only water allowed rule is weird. My husband lives on Gatorade to do his job.

The company I work also has the water only in clear bottles rule for the plant employees. They don't want anyone spilling sticky liquids on the equipment or product.

Blossom · 12-20-2010, 05:41 PM

Okay I can understand that then never really thought about it but that makes sense.

I guess it depends on what is being manufactured. My hubby works nears a large hot furnace. It is grueling work specially in the summertime. There is no A/C only large fans. He takes the product off the line after it comes out of the hot furnace. He has burned himself many times.

It's alot different then packing boxes of merchandise. I have shopped with Amazon for years and I think of all the stuff I bought only one came in bad shape. A book came with the cover bent because the person wasn't too careful when putting it inside the packing envelope. It was a free book so I didn't complain. It was one of those 3 for 4 Promos they always have.

CazMar · 12-20-2010, 05:49 PM

Welcome to the wonderful world of factory/production line work! All kids should read this article so they know why to really work hard at school, get a good education and never have to put up with these working conditions. At $12 per hour these poor sods are usually cheaper than robots and easier to train than animals, oh, and animals are protected from cruelty by various laws. About the only rules that make a lot of sense are the anti-gum and sticky drink rules, but what about rules for work safety? No restrictions on loose scarves, ties or incorrect footwear? Don't they know human body parts in machinery cause a bigger production delay than chewing gum! (sarcasm, sarcasm)

K-Thom · 12-20-2010, 06:27 PM

I worked at a HP packaging-store once as temporary worker.

We weren't allowed to put any water bottles anywhere, not even in the separated corner solely used for lunch breaks. We had to store it in our locker, three large floors above. So it would have taken at least five minutes to have some water.

But of course quitting during work for drinking wasn't allowed. You had to wait till break. It was a hot summer, so I quit after three weeks. Amazon sounds like a piece of cake compared to that.

tubemonkey · 12-20-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

FWIW, I wish more places prohibited employees from showing up sick. Infecting everyone else in the warehouse isn't a good business practice. And as I order from Amazon a lot, I would also like to think that no one with the flu coughed on my new package.

With stupid rules and lousy benefit packages, you're asking for the moon. Companies bring this on themselves for not treating their employees better.

In the words of that holiday favorite - let 'em cough, let 'em cough, let 'em cough

12-20-2010, 05:49 PM	#28
CazMar Book Geek Posts: 596 Karma: 1499085 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kobo Touch, Asus MemPad 7" tablet, Nexus 5, Asus 10" tablet	Welcome to the wonderful world of factory/production line work! All kids should read this article so they know why to really work hard at school, get a good education and never have to put up with these working conditions. At $12 per hour these poor sods are usually cheaper than robots and easier to train than animals, oh, and animals are protected from cruelty by various laws. About the only rules that make a lot of sense are the anti-gum and sticky drink rules, but what about rules for work safety? No restrictions on loose scarves, ties or incorrect footwear? Don't they know human body parts in machinery cause a bigger production delay than chewing gum! (sarcasm, sarcasm) Last edited by CazMar; 12-20-2010 at 05:50 PM. Reason: Can't type!!

12-20-2010, 06:27 PM	#29
K-Thom The one and only Posts: 3,302 Karma: 535819 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Device: yup!	I worked at a HP packaging-store once as temporary worker. We weren't allowed to put any water bottles anywhere, not even in the separated corner solely used for lunch breaks. We had to store it in our locker, three large floors above. So it would have taken at least five minutes to have some water. But of course quitting during work for drinking wasn't allowed. You had to wait till break. It was a hot summer, so I quit after three weeks. Amazon sounds like a piece of cake compared to that. Last edited by K-Thom; 12-20-2010 at 06:29 PM.

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12-20-2010, 12:38 PM	#16
RockdaMan Banned Posts: 1,644 Karma: 213512 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: On the other side of over there Device: Pandigital Novel, Kindle G1 (broken), iPod Touch	Nothing crazy here. If a worker shows up with shoes that the site sells though, does that mean that they have to do their shift shoe-less?

12-20-2010, 01:34 PM	#19
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	My hubby works at a factory on an assembly line. They have a 6 point system. Half point for being late and full point for missing a day of work. Once you get to 5 to 6 points they put you on what is called Last Chance and then you're let go if you miss any more. Points resets once a year. Sick days are not allowed. Once you worked there 2 years you do get 5 vacation days for a full year which are good for sick days. However you can still be let go at any time if they think you missed too much work before you get to 6 points. The only water allowed rule is weird. My husband lives on Gatorade to do his job.

12-20-2010, 01:39 PM	#20
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,201 Karma: 8389072 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naptown Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	Amazon hired 2,500 temp workers in my state for these jobs. They pay about $12/hour. I really see nothing unreasonable about any of those rules, actually, and none of them strike me as a particular hardship. And it doesn't appear that most of these are instant firing offenses - if you talk too much, you get moved; if you keep talking, you might get written up; eventually, you might be fired. If you show up 30 minutes late, you get docked 1/2 a point; don't show up at all and get docked 3 points; collect 6 points and you're fired. FWIW, I wish more places prohibited employees from showing up sick. Infecting everyone else in the warehouse isn't a good business practice. And as I order from Amazon a lot, I would also like to think that no one with the flu coughed on my new package.

12-20-2010, 01:49 PM	#21
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	I concur there isn't really much to gripe about here, other than the sick day thing. Unsafe work environments, employee lock-ins, tolerance for sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, tricks to bust up unions, all are much worse than this. Besides, all of you folks want Your Stuff fast, on time, and cheaper than humanly possible. One way any online vendor accomplishes that is by having a super-efficient workflow. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that includes not getting gum or spilling beverages loaded with high fructose corn syrup all over the place....

12-20-2010, 01:55 PM	#22
vaughnmr Ebook Reader Posts: 605 Karma: 3205128 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Device: Kindle 3, HTC Evo, HTC View	I worked on a production line years ago at a P&G facility, and the job requirements were similar then. A lot of the "rules" have a little history behind them, so they are probably an attempt to fight workplace abuses (like drinking on the job, it does happen, hence the water bottle comment). I don't see what this has to do with the ebook business, unless you want to attempt to paint Amazon with a bad view. You could apply the same view to the shipping carriers down the line. Or maybe the OP, having never worked in that envirnment, just didn't know.

12-20-2010, 04:28 PM	#23
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I am not sure that the sick employee was that bad. The report says that she was fired because she was sick when she interviewed and did not tell them. If she was unable to work at the proper pace and her excuse was that she was sick and she was sick when she was hired, she withheld information that would have prevented her from being hired in the first place. A Warehouse that runs on everyone getting a certain amount of work is not going to hire someone who cannot get the minimum amount of work done due to illness. I don't really see where that is a bad thing. The water rule makes sense to me. If some water is spilled on something it is less likely to stain or damage an item then other drinks. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that some areas require that water be kept a certain distance from the line because the products are delicate or wrapping paper would be ruined by water.

12-20-2010, 05:13 PM	#24
wvcherrybomb Sharp Shootin' Grandma Posts: 847 Karma: 1123940 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sunny Florida Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Fire, Literati (has been adopted by my daughter)	All of these rules seem reasonable to me. It doesn't say that they're not allowed sick days, just that a woman who was chronically ill was fired. Regardless, I'm glad to be an independant contractor that works from home. I have zero benefits and only get paid for what work I complete, but at least I can suck down Pepsi and take a nap when I want. And browse internet forums...

12-20-2010, 05:24 PM	#25
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	I guess it's ok to read an ebook while you work... as long as it's not a Kindle or another model they sell. Well it's not on the list.

12-20-2010, 05:41 PM	#27
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Okay I can understand that then never really thought about it but that makes sense. I guess it depends on what is being manufactured. My hubby works nears a large hot furnace. It is grueling work specially in the summertime. There is no A/C only large fans. He takes the product off the line after it comes out of the hot furnace. He has burned himself many times. It's alot different then packing boxes of merchandise. I have shopped with Amazon for years and I think of all the stuff I bought only one came in bad shape. A book came with the cover bent because the person wasn't too careful when putting it inside the packing envelope. It was a free book so I didn't complain. It was one of those 3 for 4 Promos they always have.

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