Hold the door

I used to work for Amazon. And I was forced to resign from Amazon merely a couple weeks prior to sending this. What follows is an excerpt from a journal I wrote:

What happened? Well, they decided, without any prior warning, or consultation, to change me over to the outbound side of the building, which would've been fine... if it didn't come with the outbound schedule and peak period. When I attempted to point out that I could not do this, and attempted to list my reasons, they told me that I had no choice in the matter. I was to either accept the new schedule changes that they never warned me about, or asked if I was even able to accept it, or resign.

Why was I not able to accept it?

Well, for one, I had made promises to everyone that I would be back to working on commissions (for my independent work) most of the time starting Dec. 11th, and the new schedule would ensure that I would not have been able to do any commission work until after the 1st of the year. I, like Amazon, place my clients pretty high on the priority list (even if I am slower than molasses in January sometimes), and I wasn't going to screw you guys over because of a decision from someone in Seattle.

Second, I had already done two full weeks of 60hr weeks, and standing for up to 12hrs at a whack takes a ton out of you physically, which is fine if you can get proper rest after shift, but with me having to deal with a 2.5 hour bus ride to get to work, and another 2.5hr bus ride to get home, I wasn't getting enough sleep between shifts. On top of that, with the outbound schedule, the arrival time to work doesn't change, which means that I'm effectively out of the house for up to 18hrs, giving me only 6hrs of down time, and maybe five hours of sleep before I have to do it all over again. I simply could not do this for another five weeks.

Third. I had been in talks with my mom about her coming up to visit sometime before Christmas. Naturally, I want to see her, and let her see how me and my so are doing, but this schedule would've killed any chance of that happening.

Fourth. I was one of only 8 Amnesty Associates for the back-half nights crew, which were already dangerously short handed, but holding on. I was also the most experienced member of that crew, as well as the most adept with the robots. The position I was in took me two full weeks to obtain (officially) and I felt that because of that, I had earned a reputable place in Amazon. The move ripped me from the role, further leaving the team short handed, and I wasn't the only one moved either.

Finally. The move was a permanent one. Which meant that the current bus schedule that I'm relying on, only extends until the end of Peak, which means that when peak ends, any chance of me getting home after work ended with it. Sure, HR says they make accommodations, but I've seen what has happened to those people they made accommodations for.... hint: none of them are working for Amazon any more.

So, with that. I tendered my resignation. Citing the reasons above, and the fact that I was not consulted prior to the decision to move me as the reason why. Amazon's own policies is that they are supposed to notify any associate affected by a schedule change 24 hours before any change is made. Thirty minutes before lunch break on the day the change was made doesn't count.

I'm not alone in this. Several other associates were moved, and some of them have expressed their displeasure. Some are already considering telling me to "HOLD THE DOOR!" as I leave, and fade away into the sunset.