Amazon worker here, ironically I enjoy scrolling through this reddit to remind myself all the BS of a typical job I don’t have to deal with.
Applied for the job online, immediately hired absolutely zero stress/anxiety involved.
Been employed for 4 years, have transferred through 3 buildings and a dozen different shifts/schedules as my needs in personal life have changed. I currently work exclusively during the day on weekdays, I have every single weekend off the spend with my family.
I get almost 200 hours of paid time off / vacation per year that I can use at any time (even retroactively), zero questions asked. I can show up late, leave early, take a long lunch… as much flexibility as I want and nobody will say a word about it.
I have NEVER had a manager tell me I wasn’t working hard enough, in fact the vast majority of them don’t use direct management so nothing but casual/friendly conversations.
The work culture is very laid back due to the majority demographic of young adults. No drama, no mental stress, no micro-management. Free to be alone to my own thoughts if I choose, but also free to contribute to solving problems if I need some good mental stimulation.
I do not have to physically exert myself if I don’t want to. I will sometimes walk 10+ miles a day (which is nothing to me) but that’s it. If I do break a sweat it’s entirely by choice because it gets boring standing around when it’s not busy.
As for compensation, it’s variable and depends highly on region. But as a single person living in one of the 10 largest cities in U.S., since starting I’ve managed to close on a house (completely by myself) with 10 minute commute to 5 different amazon facilities, fully pay off a new car, and also still shop impulsively. I do work overtime fairly frequently but this is offset by unpaid time off which I use voluntarily, so my actual hours worked each year is less than 40h/week.
I personally don’t have anything bad to say about my experience working at Amazon. There is so much freedom that the job is only what you make of it. Amazon gives you full control over where you work, what you do and what schedule you want to work. There will always be people who don’t make the most of their options and will sulk in misery, and those are the most vocal people. Just know they don’t represent everyone.