Amazon leads as one of the world’s largest employers, with nearly 350,000 full-time employees working in its warehouses. In addition to full-time employees, Amazon employs hundreds of thousands of seasonal workers. Amazon’s unparalleled obsession with fast delivery has driven the company to utilize AI algorithmic productivity calculators and robots to drive unreasonable quotas.While Amazon relentlessly defends productivity quotas , worker injuries continue to rise.
Do you work in an Amazon warehouse? Have you noticed your job getting harder and harder over time? Have you recently been injured while working in an Amazon warehouse? For more information on accidents in Amazon’s warehouses and how the use of AI algorithm productivity quotas increases the risk of injury, see our recent blog post on this topic. Browse or click here.
Amazon Productivity Quota
Amazon maintains a number of strict and restrictive employment policies that may affect the health, safety, and livelihoods of our workers. One such rule is the company’s Time off Tasks (“TOT”) policy. TOT is a productivity metric and refers to the amount of time Amazon warehouse workers spend away from their workstations.
TOT’s policy has undergone various changes, most of which stem from a flurry of criticism of the program’s restrictive nature. Under his current TOT policy, Amazon will start tracking employees when they start working. The system automatically tracks his productivity throughout the day and generates alerts when the system detects a drop in productivity.
Amazon requires employees to clock in and out whenever work is interrupted. Employees need to track things like how long they use the restroom and how long they wait for equipment to work. Amazon claims they changed the settings to allow more off time between tasks. Supervisors can override the system and adjust settings to accommodate an employee’s specific situation. But outside of those adjustments, Amazon’s rules are vague and confusing among employees.
The settings of TOT will change depending on the number of employees on site, the number of parcels delivered, etc. As such, employees are forced into daily changes that limit their ability to rest, use the restroom, or take legally required breaks.
Unlawful dismissal of Amazon warehouse workers
TOT uses fuzzy metrics that do not adequately consider an employee’s individual tasks, needs, or abilities. The system uses metrics to alert employees when they are not achieving productivity. After an unknown number of alerts, the system generates a dismissal notice to the employee. The company explains that supervisors retain the power to override termination notices. However, this complex practice often leads to unlawful discrimination, retaliation and dismissal.
Amazon warehouse damage
Amazon’s aggressive production demands are putting employee bodies at risk for consumer convenience and the company’s financial growth. The damage caused to the Injuries among Amazon warehouse workers were significantly higher than the industry average, according to a study: Another study by the Strategic Organizing Center found he suffered 6.8 injuries per 100 Amazon warehouse workers. increase. The overwhelming majority of these injuries were cases in which workers experienced injuries that prevented them from performing their normal duties or jobs.
Company data showed the company was deceiving the public about safety issues, even though the rate of injuries was on the rise. It is not surprising that the injury rate at the facility was high. Amazon said he spent $300 million on improving worker safety in light of these findings. But lawmakers and affected workers are demanding the company address the warehouse conditions.
Recent California Bill Addresses Amazon’s Use of Productivity Quotas
After mounting pressure, the California Senate passed the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, or AB-701. The bill aims to regulate Amazon’s productivity quota program. Under this law, employers are required to disclose productivity quotas to government agencies and employees. Additionally, the bill prohibits employers from requiring warehouse workers to meet unsafe or unrealistic quotas, thereby enjoying state-mandated employment rights. You won’t be able to. State officials are responsible for enforcement. However, the law gives workers the right to sue to overturn unsafe quotas and retaliation for non-compliance. In addition to California law, similar laws are popping up throughout the county.
Amazon Productivity Tools and ADA Violations
In addition to liability for personal injury and workers’ compensation, Amazon’s productivity tools may violate antidiscrimination laws. Federal agencies such as the Equal Opportunities Commission (“EEOC”) and the Department of Justice have warned that AI employment and productivity tools could discriminate against people with disabilities.
The EEOC and Department of Justice said these technologies could limit legitimate employment practices by applying inappropriate performance monitoring, soliciting illegal information, and restricting promotions. explains. I’m not sure Amazon will follow the advice, despite the stern warnings from these agencies.
