We left the Amazon Fulfillment Center positions on Friday night and are on the road once again. We lasted six weeks at Amazon, and would have finished the entire season if they had left us in our previous job stowing products on shelves. We could also have made it if we were given the job of picking out products for orders, even though it is not unusual to walk over 10 miles a night. Without consulting us, we were transferred to packing orders on a moving line. The pay was decent for this area, but the job task was not something we were willing to do through end of season.
We found our new job to be too repetitive, extremely noisy from machinery, conveyor belts, music blaring, and feeling compelled to do repetitive time sensitive work continuously hour after hour.
Dan made no friends with management when he asked in writing for decibel readings of the blaring music over machinery, and asked if they were exceeding OSHA standards. The decibel reading was never provided, but the music volume was reduced to tolerable levels (no ear ringing 4 hours after leaving work). Sandy was becoming dehydrated while Dan's previous rotator cuff and carpal tunnel injuries were becoming more aggravated from the repetitive movements. Sleeping during the day was difficult before the new job task, but it became almost impossible after switching to our new job.
Our stress levels were peaking and we decided it just wasn't worth the money. We gave our new job a chance and decided it just wasn't for us. We asked managers and HR if we could move back or to another area with no result. Well, it is time to move on.
While we wait for one last mail order to arrive at our last location, we are getting back to our old schedule of sleeping nights and eating at normal times. We will move to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City Oklahoma for a couple of weeks while waiting for a medical appointment for Dan In northern Oklahoma. We will drive back north 150 miles each way in the tow car to complete the previously scheduled medical appointment, then begin moving south on 10 November.
Dan made no friends with management when he asked in writing for decibel readings of the blaring music over machinery, and asked if they were exceeding OSHA standards. The decibel reading was never provided, but the music volume was reduced to tolerable levels (no ear ringing 4 hours after leaving work). Sandy was becoming dehydrated while Dan's previous rotator cuff and carpal tunnel injuries were becoming more aggravated from the repetitive movements. Sleeping during the day was difficult before the new job task, but it became almost impossible after switching to our new job.
Our stress levels were peaking and we decided it just wasn't worth the money. We gave our new job a chance and decided it just wasn't for us. We asked managers and HR if we could move back or to another area with no result. Well, it is time to move on.
We left Amazon on Friday night, said our good-byes to a few good friends, and moved to USACE Copan Lake Park for a few days.
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| New location |
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| Copan Lake |
Amazon was an interesting adventure, but just not for us. New adventures await, and we plan on Texas for the dead of winter.
Good luck on the next phase of the journey. I know I could not have taken the noise for even one hour. I had a friend who was nearly deaf from working in noise like that. I'll bet the cats are relieved to get the schedule back to fit theirs too.
ReplyDeleteWe worked in the packing area of Amazon our first year there. I agree with you, it was a hellhole for all the reasons you stated. We went back two more years; one year in picking and another in stowing and picking. We told them from the start that if they put us back in packing we were out of there. Some people like it, but not for us. I don't blame you for leaving.
ReplyDeleteWow, you did those jobs for three years in a row? Which warehouse? We heard from former Camperforce employees that management was not as good with dealing with their employees and training was awful in comparison. Some people were asking for packing and were totally ignored. If they would have consulted first, I'm sure they would have had plenty of volunteers for each area.
DeleteAnd your description of the packing area is perfect! I called it the 'dungeon' because it was dark and it was such a torture to work there. ;)
"we decided it just wasn't worth the money." That says it all
ReplyDeleteSorry that Amazon didn't work out for you - but glad you left before it affected your health. Time now to rest & recuperate; we're sure the cats are much happier being back to a regular schedule!
ReplyDeleteToo much stress - time to move on. We don't need to subject ourselves to the noise and stress. So enjoy yourselves now. And get some good sleep.
ReplyDeleteOKLAHOMA! I was born and raised there. Moved to Washington state in 1956. Flew to OK last October for my 60th high school reunion and to visit family members. Great state to be FROM.
ReplyDeleteafter working one day at Crisplant i asked for singles because i couldn't walk (bad ankle) and they moved me over. still incredibly noisy. but i'd take that over stow... i HATE stow... so depressing walking walking walking and not being able to find a spot for anything. and i can respect leaving if it's giving you physical problems... my forearms hurt and my fingers tingle after a couple days, and i need to take an extra day off here and there... i'm pushing through for that end of season bonus because now it's only 5 working days away...
ReplyDeletehowever... the music... yes it's loud... but it adds joy to an otherwise joyless place. when it's on, i sing along with every song i know, and bob along to the ones i don't, and my day flies along without my noticing the hours or the boredom or the repetition, or to some degree even the pain. AND... they *know* it's noisy... they have packs 32 db reduction earplugs freely available at all times.
Hello Pointless, Congrats on making it to the end of the season. As you pointed out, not everyone likes the same job. I loved stowing and enjoyed the walking over standing in one spot. I saw where the Singles packed and it was a better location with lighting and the music is not as loud due to the fact that the speakers are not right over the packers. I do not like using ear plugs. Most of the music was fine. We had no complaints about what they were playing just the volume was very high.
ReplyDeleteOur major problem was getting a manager or HR to work with us, so we could move back to our old jobs. Dan's shoulders and ankle were causing him a lot more pain than when we were stowing. He could not keep working in these conditions. We are quite happy with our decision to leave early. Happy Holidays!