PIP as Retaliation

I started with Amazon in early 2015. I took over for a manager who did an excellent job training me for 3 full weeks. The team in the FC was already performing well, and I was able to maintain, if not exceed productivity levels. In summer 2015, I was "voluntold" to go to night shift and "fix" some of the problems on that shift. The problems were: 1) the area manager did not hold associates accountable and set expectations. He had gone through 4 process assistants in 6 months 2) the area manager received ZERO training and development from the ops manager. And 3) the ops manager received ZERO training and development from the senior ops manager b/c the only thing the sr ops was good at was yelling a cussing people out. Motivation by fear at its finest.

I worked hard all year and developed the team. We went from having 20% of associates achieving rate to over 90%, consistently every week. My department quickly became one of the top-performing departments in the FC. For three consecutive months, I had the highest connections scores for any other area manager in the FC.

This January, my manager had a 1x1 with me where, for the first time since I had been with the company, he told me that I "had a bad year and there would be some documentation coming." It's funny that this meeting happened on that date. At this time, I had already applied for a transfer position, and I was in the process for interviewing. Interesting how I could apply and interview for a job when my performance was that bad. Furthermore, the GM of the location suddenly told me: "We were going to bring you back to days after peak, but no one knew you would perform this poorly during Christmas..."

This February, my counterparts on another shift went out to eat, and while they were out, they decided to drink alcohol and return to work under the influence. I found out about this event a week later. I reported it to HR, and I told them, "How am I getting written up when these managers can go out, drink and return to work with  no consequence." Additionally, 2 anonymous emails were sent to Jeff Bezos and 2 other high-ranking officials regarding this incident. HR performed their "investigation" during the next two weeks. The ops manager was fired, and the area managers were given a MOE (Memorandum of expectation). The following week, I was given a PIP (performance improvement plan), and interestingly enough, I was told: "This pip is not performance related b/c you have turned around this department." I was also told that it was not based on my connections results. I questioned how someone can be put on a PERFORMANCE improvement plan that is not performance related. Things that make you go, "hmmm???" 

So, since early March, I've been on a PIP. The expectations keep changing. I believe I am being performance managed out, and I believe the PIP is a retaliation from HR for reporting the misconduct of several of my peers and supervisors. At this point, I believe I have very few weeks left before I fail the PIP and am terminated. I have already sought legal counsel and advice and I will use the legal process to fight my wrongful termination after it happens.

I hope someone reads this and avoids working for this toxic company.

UPDATED: Sure enough, I was illegally fired this past week. Let's work together to hold Amazon accountable!