Warnung für junge Talente
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
The compensation package and growing opportunities.
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
This is a personal review from a Master's graduate who joined Amazon as a Manager in Germany. I will try to highlight some key points to consider before accepting a job at the company. While the opportunity to start a managerial position might seem appealing, there are certain aspects to be aware of. Initially, the lack of clarity regarding the specific shift and position can be disorienting. The training provided by Amazon is deemed excellent and emphasizes the importance of safety. However, shortly after the training, I encountered a station filled with internal conflicts, with area managers deciding who should stay or leave. This unsettling atmosphere led to a realization that job security at Amazon is a constant concern. Despite trying to maintain a positive attitude and implementing the knowledge gained from training, I found a lack of interest from higher-level managers in our development.
After training I start my experience working for Amazon, by being asked to move to a different position despite not matching my skills and interests. I accepted the change out of social pressure but made it clear that I wanted to return to my original position once a replacement was found. The new manager turned out to be difficult and involved in internal conflicts, creating stress as I was caught between motivating my team and appeasing my direct manager's goal of firing a subordinate. Amazon's culture emphasizes safety and motivation, but often prioritizes profits and numbers. Several times employee safety was ignored due to the importance of maintaining performance during peak season. When discussing their concerns with their direct manager, they were told that this was just how things were and they could decide if they wanted to continue. Morover, managers are pressured to create a positive image for the company by forcing employees to write positive statements, despite the reality of fear and dissatisfaction among the workers.
I want to highlight the toxic environment and lack of transparency at higher levels of the company. During meetings for instance, there is a lot of shouting and blaming, rather than constructive discussion and problem-solving. The higher levels keep a record of everything said and done, using it to evaluate employees' performance. I had a negative mid-probationary evaluation because they did not meet the expectations of the higher levels. I was later unexpectedly fired without being given a reason, but discovered that it was because I not strict enough and to charismatic with their employees because allowed them to work in preferred areas. I strongly criticize Amazon for prioritizing financial goals over creating a safe and motivating work culture. And finally I just want to warn others about accepting job offers from Amazon, especially if their visa or life plans depend on it, as sudden termination is possible even without clear reasons given.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Create a workplace where workers feel safe and do not work with fear of being terminated at any moment.