I've been working Saturdays as a delivery associate for for about six months now to support myself while going to school. Even though I have heard the stories about what a nightmare it is to work for Amazon I thought I could make it work. I need something that will let me work 10 hour shifts for at least $20/hr. Even in a major city such as Minneapolis that level of pay is difficult to come by.
The job started out great. I like being physically active at work and I cannot work with people, so it's a nice fit. I'm on the autism spectrum so the fewer people I interact with the better.
During my interview they told me I'd be delivering between 100 and 200 packages per 10 hour shift. It sounds like an astounding number, but they assured me that it's doable. And they were right, for a while. But then a couple of months ago the package count took a leap. Suddenly I was expected to deliver over 200 packages each shift.
I use the company phone they give you to text dispatch, as calling isn't exaxtly compatible with autism. I texted them one day that I have too many packages to deliver, and need help. They gave me a rehearsed speech about how it's not as bad as it seems and it would all work out. They weren't going to send help and I should keep going.
Those days of over 200 packages were brutal. It would often become 11 or 12 hour shifts. Performing physical labor for that long can be a little frightening, as you can tell you're running out of energy but you also know you're obligated to deliver every single package. Being aware that you're burning out and your motor skills and reaction times are affected is scary. Those Amazon vans are quite large and heavy.
After a while I got fed up with receiving the same motivational nonsense about how it's too many packages, and I snapped.
I texted back something like:
“Telling me 240 packages isn't a lot is gaslighting. It is a lot. I'm skipping my paid breaks and going as fast as physically possible and I still can't keep up. I know you're just doing your job but please don't insult my intelligence.”
It felt great to finally say that. I already have a difficult time advocating for myself, which is made worse by being autistic. People have been bullying me my entire life, while others have been telling me to stick up for myself. Progress! Right?
But it turned out to be a mistake.
The next week I am on time for my shift like always, and I get into my assigned van. Then one of the supervisors tells me to check my messages. I do, and I see I missed a message that morning telling me there's not enough work today and I will have to go home. I have the same first name and last initial as another worker, it's actually her route I thought I'd be doing that day.
I then sent a message to the person who informed me that I wouldn't be working. I must admit, I was rude. The messages telling me not to come in were 9:30pm the night before and 6:30am that morning.
Of course I didn't see the messages in time, which is what I said.
Before she even saw the message I apologized for being rude. I then asked if I still have a job. She said that after my being rude to her that she would have to reconsider my employment.
I told her about my autism and how I don't perceive rudeness the same way that neurotypicals do and that I was confused. I asked her to please explain the situation to me.
She never responded.
That was last Saturday. Today I was sure to check my messages to see if I was told not to come in again. There's no such message, so I go into work.
They only handed out assignments to some of the people, but not everyone. They said it was because they had to have a meeting with the people who hadn't worked for a few days and would hand out assignments afterward. I sat (stood) through their mandatory meeting. After the meeting she informed me that I didn't have a route. Again.
I've asked three separate people, including the owner the company (a delivery contractor, not Amazon itself) if I still have a job, and no one can tell me.
Is this legal? Are they just stringing me along and abusing me so I'll quit and they won't have to fire me?
It takes months for me to find a job. As an autistic person my options are severely limited. Finding something that fits is a long process.
What should I do? I'm considering asking a lawyer. They now know I'm autistic, so I'm hoping that will provide me with some protection.