Comprehensive HR Strategy

Job Design and Performance Management Strategy:

Amazon currently uses metrics like “rate” and “time off task” to measure employee productivity which often leads to high stress, burnout, and turnover among employees (Mims 2021). To improve this, Amazon’s HR department could implement a balanced scorecard strategy that evaluates productivity alongside employee well-being and satisfaction. Our new HR strategy would provide regular feedback while giving employees more autonomy to improve overall job satisfaction. The replacement of intensive monitoring systems with a balanced scorecard system would likely actually improve employee productivity as their are more relaxed, flexible, and motivated to complete tasks. 

Recruitment, Training, and Employee Development Strategy :

The case study “The Amazon That Customer Don't See” explains that Amazon's rapid recruitment process perpetuates a cycle of high turnover by failing to foster long-term engagement, with limited advancement opportunities for frontline workers further fueling employee dissatisfaction and turnover. New HR strategy would seek to establish clear career paths that allows for development of all workers, especially front-line workers. To do this, HR could launch ongoing training programs focused on skill development and career growth to encourage long-term employment. These additional training programs would reduce turnover, allowing Amazon’s recruitment team to slow down and find quality candidates, willing to develop a long-term career at Amazon. 

Compensation, Benefits, and Workplace Safety Strategy:

Although competitive wages and benefits are offered at Amazon, the removal of hazard pay along with stringent work conditions detract from attractiveness of employee compensation packages. Specifically, high physical demands of fulfillment roles leads to significant health concerns and high injury rates, shown during the pandemic (Kantor et al. 2021). Our new HR strategy would enhance the benefits package by including comprehensive health care, mental health services, and proactive wellness programs. Additionally, implementing ergonomic interventions and improving safety measures would reduce work-related injuries. 

Labor Relations and Legal Compliance Strategy:

Amazon’s anti-union stance and limited grievance channels leads employees to be heavily dissatisfied with management resulting in public disputes over labor conditions (Kantor et al. 2021). These compliance issues with labor practices put Amazon at legal risk and highlight the need for better labor law adherence. Our new HR strategy would give employees a voice by establishing employee representative councils to formalize expressing concerns and allowing for participation in decision-making. The updated strategy would also strengthen compliance programs through enhanced training for managers to ensure legal compliance and fair treatment of subordinates. Regular audits would be performed to ensure Amazon’s adherences to labor laws.