What's it like working at Amazon?

DanS1

Amazon warehouse - I've heard it's not easy! What is it like? Thinking of applying for work there doing picking/packing etc. Does it involve using power pallet trucks and fork lift trucks? As this is the bit where I feel I would struggle.

Sncjw

My partner worked there on picking you are on your feet all day. You need to be quick to find and scan the items. Often n item can be mixed with other items.

Packing you again need to be quick and desisive if to over ride the suggested box size or not.

My partner had machines come to him.
Also  there's never a garuntee it's permaneng ethier many peoples context got extended at last min so you never know if your kept on or not. 

Its long days like 7am to 7pm 12 hours shifts and need to be there early. Only llowed water on the floor not phones usually but they changed for covid and no earphones.

Its a very isolating job as you don't really talk to anyone. On your feet all day and you do get breaks for lunch but still sore on feet. 

Sncjw

Also you don't get a choice where you at put. They will tell you.  Ecause my partner worked in a new place and just opened he was able to pick what shifts but wasn't able to pick what he did.

Also these warehouses are in difficult to reach places via public transport. Do you have a way to get there. 

Jillanddy

My friends husband is a supervisor there, but started on the floor. He says that it is very hard work, and the vast majority of people can't hack it. But for those that can it's, in his opinion, a good job with good terms. I'll pass on an observation whilst staying neutral on the content - he says that most of the workforce are "immigrants" because English people don't want to work hard. He's from South America himself. That might be an observation that has more to do with the range of choices people from various backgrounds have, but in the two warehouses he's worked in he's said that English speakers might find it hard to find many others they can talk to even when they have the opportunity, which can be isolating. But I have to say, he actually speaks highly of the employment which surprised me as one hears very little good about them. And he's now in line for progression too which he's happy about. So there are obviously two sides to the story.

TELLIT01

Jillanddy said:

My friends husband is a supervisor there, but started on the floor. He says that it is very hard work, and the vast majority of people can't hack it. But for those that can it's, in his opinion, a good job with good terms. I'll pass on an observation whilst staying neutral on the content - he says that most of the workforce are "immigrants" because English people don't want to work hard. He's from South America himself. That might be an observation that has more to do with the range of choices people from various backgrounds have, but in the two warehouses he's worked in he's said that English speakers might find it hard to find many others they can talk to even when they have the opportunity, which can be isolating. But I have to say, he actually speaks highly of the employment which surprised me as one hears very little good about them. And he's now in line for progression too which he's happy about. So there are obviously two sides to the story.

Given the problems fruit and veg producers are having in trying to replace mostly Eastern European workers following many returning home, I actually find that observation very easy to believe.  There have been complaints from potential employers for many years that British workers simply aren't willing to do the hard work.  I accept that is a generalisation, but the comment is made so often there is likely to be some truth in it.

Jillanddy

TELLIT01 said:

Jillanddy said:

My friends husband is a supervisor there, but started on the floor. He says that it is very hard work, and the vast majority of people can't hack it. But for those that can it's, in his opinion, a good job with good terms. I'll pass on an observation whilst staying neutral on the content - he says that most of the workforce are "immigrants" because English people don't want to work hard. He's from South America himself. That might be an observation that has more to do with the range of choices people from various backgrounds have, but in the two warehouses he's worked in he's said that English speakers might find it hard to find many others they can talk to even when they have the opportunity, which can be isolating. But I have to say, he actually speaks highly of the employment which surprised me as one hears very little good about them. And he's now in line for progression too which he's happy about. So there are obviously two sides to the story.

Given the problems fruit and veg producers are having in trying to replace mostly Eastern European workers following many returning home, I actually find that observation very easy to believe.  There have been complaints from potential employers for many years that British workers simply aren't willing to do the hard work.  I accept that is a generalisation, but the comment is made so often there is likely to be some truth in it.

It's a comment I have heard all my life and yes, whilst it is a generalisation I think there is an uncomfortable truth in. Waves of immigration have always been fuelled by the availability of jobs, and none of them were in the boardroom! It's a historic fact and not unique to the UK.