10 Scary Truths About Working in Amazon Warehouses
Amazon’s rise to becoming one of the world’s largest companies is no fluke. With a staggering $576 billion in revenue reported for 2023, it’s clear that their business strategies are paying off big time. Jeff Bezos, the mastermind behind the empire, probably doesn’t have much to worry about financially. But let’s be real—when you’re dealing with that kind of scale, things are bound to go sideways occasionally. And for Amazon, one of the most talked-about pain points seems to be their warehouses. These massive hubs, while essential to their operations, often come with stories that sound like they’re straight out of a dystopian novel.
Imagine this: endless rows of shelves, robots zipping around, and workers scrambling to meet impossible deadlines. It’s a high-pressure environment where efficiency is king, but the human cost can’t be ignored. Reports of grueling working conditions, unrealistic productivity targets, and even safety concerns have surfaced over the years. It’s like a well-oiled machine, but one that occasionally grinds its gears—and sometimes, its people.
What’s fascinating, though, is how Amazon continues to thrive despite these challenges. It’s a testament to their ability to adapt and innovate, but it also raises questions about the balance between profit and people. Sure, their warehouses are a logistical marvel, but they’re also a reminder that even the most successful companies have their Achilles’ heel. So, while Amazon’s success story is undeniably impressive, it’s not without its darker chapters—and those chapters are what make the whole narrative so intriguing.
10.Bear Repellent Has Exploded in More Than One
One of the things that makes Amazon so appealing is its seemingly endless selection. Whether you’re shopping for everyday items like pots and pans or something more specific, like a box of vegan mac and cheese, chances are you’ll find it on the site. But have you ever stopped to think about where all these products are stored before they land on your doorstep? That’s where Amazon’s massive warehouses come into play—and sometimes, things get a little wild behind the scenes.
Take bear spray, for example. Yes, the kind meant to fend off actual bears in the wilderness. It’s available on Amazon, and while it might seem like just another product on the shelf, it’s not exactly harmless. In fact, these cans have caused quite a stir in Amazon’s warehouses. Imagine a can of bear repellent—packed with capsaicin, the same compound that makes chili peppers spicy—accidentally exploding in a confined space. Not exactly a walk in the park for the workers nearby.
In 2018, a can of bear spray was knocked off a shelf in an Amazon warehouse in New Jersey. A robot accidentally punctured it, releasing the potent spray and sending 24 employees to the hospital. While this incident made headlines, it wasn’t the first time something like this happened. Back in 2015, a similar scenario unfolded at a warehouse in Haslet, Texas, though it didn’t get as much attention.
It’s a bizarre reminder of the unexpected challenges that come with running such a vast operation. On one hand, Amazon’s ability to store and ship almost anything is impressive. On the other, it’s a logistical puzzle that sometimes leads to chaotic, even dangerous, situations. So, the next time you add that random item to your cart, just remember: there’s a whole world of warehouse drama happening behind the scenes to make it possible.
9.Workers Pee in Bottles
Believe it or not, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson might just have what it takes to work at Amazon. Why? Well, like some Amazon warehouse employees, he’s reportedly peed in bottles on the job. Yes, you read that right. Back in 2021, Amazon found itself in hot water over allegations about the working conditions in its warehouses. Critics accused the company of fostering an exploitative and unsafe environment. One of the more eyebrow-raising claims was that employees were skipping bathroom breaks and resorting to peeing in bottles to save time. Amazon, of course, denied it.
The story goes like this: Amazon sets strict quotas for workers picking items off shelves. The pressure to meet these targets is so intense that, according to rumors, taking a bathroom break could mean falling behind. Walking to the restroom and back allegedly wastes too much time, so some workers supposedly turned to peeing in bottles as a “hack” to stay on track. Amazon pushed back, saying these claims were outright false.
But here’s where it gets interesting. After Amazon’s denial, journalists who had investigated the company’s warehouse conditions fired back. They had firsthand accounts, interviews with employees, and even evidence suggesting that, yes, peeing in bottles was indeed a thing. Multiple sources confirmed that some workers felt they had no choice but to skip breaks to keep up with the demanding pace.
It’s a bizarre and somewhat unsettling glimpse into the realities of working in one of the world’s largest companies. On one hand, Amazon’s efficiency is legendary. On the other, stories like these make you wonder about the human cost behind that convenience. So, while The Rock might fit right in, it’s safe to say most of us would think twice before trading places with an Amazon warehouse worker.
8.Numerous Workers Suffer Injuries and Exhaustion
Working in an Amazon warehouse is no walk in the park—it’s tough, grueling, and, for many, downright brutal. The physical toll on workers is staggering, with injuries and exhaustion being alarmingly common. Let’s break it down: a shocking 41% of Amazon workers have reported getting injured on the job. That’s nearly half of the workforce. And it doesn’t stop there. A whopping 69% said they’ve had to take unpaid leave because they were so exhausted or in so much pain that they couldn’t keep going. For 34% of workers, this wasn’t a one-time thing—they had to take unpaid leave three or more times.
These numbers come from a survey that spanned 42 states, covering 451 Amazon facilities and nearly 1,500 workers. It’s a massive snapshot of what life is like for those keeping Amazon’s massive operation running. Imagine clocking in day after day, knowing the physical demands could leave you injured or too drained to function. It’s a harsh reality that contrasts sharply with the convenience Amazon offers its customers.
While Amazon’s efficiency and speed are impressive, stories like these make you wonder about the cost behind the scenes. The data paints a picture of a workforce pushed to its limits, where injuries and exhaustion aren’t just occasional hazards—they’re part of the job. It’s a reminder that behind every package delivered on time, there’s a human story, and not all of them have happy endings.
7.The Company Has Been Fined for Excessive Surveillance
You might be wondering what it is that’s going on in an Amazon warehouse that could lead to so many people being injured, exhausted, and having to pee in bottles. Part of the problem is that Amazon is always watching you. In fact, the company has been fined for its excessive surveillance habits in the past.
In 2024, France fined Amazon €32 million, or about $34 million for its illegal surveillance tactics. The company tracked employee movements so precisely that every single break they took had to be justified.
Employees are subject to three different layers of tracking that monitor short breaks, long breaks, and even how quickly they scan different items which can flag you if you scan something too fast, not just too slow.
The system was deemed to be far too intrusive and led to mistrust and micromanagement. In the UK, similar research has led to the company’s surveillance technology being accused of causing extreme stress and anxiety.
6.Amazon May Be Replacing Humans with Robots
When Amazon isn’t being accused of treating its human employees unfairly, it’s looking to replace them entirely. The company has been fairly proud of its efforts to introduce robots to the workforce. In 2023 they began trials with humanoid robots called Digit that the company says will “free up employees to better deliver for our customers.”
While the cost of building and rolling out a robot workforce is arguably going to be high, the plan is for these things to only cost $3 per hour to operate in the future. Employees have long feared that these robots are going to end up taking all of their jobs, but Amazon keeps saying that they’re only there to help the employees not replace them entirely.
Time will tell how this one pans out, but it’s hard not to appreciate the fears of somebody who’s now being set to work right beside a robot that never needs to take a break.
5.Amazon Raised Wages in 2018 But Cut Benefits to Do it
Over the past few years, the debate around minimum wage, livable wage, and the rising cost of living has been everywhere. Jobs that used to pay peanuts are now offering higher wages, but let’s be honest—with the price of everything skyrocketing, it doesn’t always feel like a win.
Amazon, for its part, tried to stay ahead of the game back in 2018 by proudly announcing it was raising wages for its warehouse workers to $15 an hour. At the time, this seemed like a big deal, especially since the federal minimum wage was stuck at $7.25, and Amazon had been starting employees at $11.
On the surface, $15 an hour sounded like a major improvement.
But here’s the catch—something that didn’t make headlines until reporters dug deeper. To fund this wage hike, Amazon quietly cut other benefits. Before the change, employees received stock in the company and bonuses tied to attendance and performance. All of that was scrapped to make room for the higher hourly rate. The same thing happened in the UK, where Amazon claimed workers simply preferred cash upfront over long-term benefits.
It’s a classic case of “look over here, not over there.” Sure, $15 an hour sounds great, but when you factor in the loss of stock options and bonuses, the math gets murkier. Was it a fair trade-off? Depends on who you ask. For some, the immediate cash might have been a lifeline. For others, losing out on potential long-term gains could feel like a step back. Either way, it’s a reminder that when it comes to wages and benefits, the devil is often in the details.
4.Amazon Forces Employees to Work a “Megacycle” 10+ Hour Shift
Even without context if you hear about something called a megacycle, you’re expecting it to be dramatic. In 2021, workers in Chicago were told to either sign up for a megacycle 10-hour graveyard shift or face the possibility of losing their jobs entirely. The company was shutting down their warehouse and employees were going to be able to move to a new warehouse as long as they took the 1:20 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. shift.
For Amazon, this was all about efficiency and being able to get products out to customers more quickly. The warehouse in question was a facility that dealt with last-minute deliveries. It is smaller than a typical Amazon warehouse. The extra long overnight shift supposedly allows products to get out to customers more quickly.
The downside, of course, is that the hours are not ideal for pretty much any worker. And remember, this was in the height of the covid pandemic so working regular shifts was essential for a lot of workers with families.
Workers are given very little warning of the shift change but Amazon maintains no one is “forced” onto the shift. That said, most new facilities run on this schedule and some employees have stated they’ve ended up working 57-hour weeks this way and can’t get out of bed for three days afterward.
3.There Have Been Numerous Accusations of Racism
With everything Amazon has going against it already, workplace harassment is one thing that employees could definitely do without. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. There have been serious allegations of racial harassment in Amazon warehouses.
In 2022, employees at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois filed claims of harassment and even death threats that were racially based. The complaints included photos of graffiti in the bathrooms to support the claim.
26 employees filed the complaint together and stated that, when they asked for extra security on site, they were told to go home and not get paid or just deal with it. One worker said she was fired for saying she’d go to the authorities about it.
Elsewhere, when Amazon tries to stop unions from forming, it has been accused of racism again as it spends literally millions of dollars and focuses strongly on warehouses that are predominantly employing Black workers.
Even the location of Amazon warehouses is suspect. They build 70% of their warehouses in neighborhoods that are predominantly populated by people of color, and 57% are in low-income areas. The side effects of this are huge increases in traffic, noise, and pollution from fleets of delivery trucks.
2.They Are Extremely Anti-Union
One thing you’ll notice about companies that are criticized for their poor labor practices is that they tend to not be in favor of unions. Amazon is no different. That said, Amazon will go the extra mile to try to keep their employees out of unions. They’ve been accused of paying their employees $5000 to quit before a union can even form.
The pay-to-quit program is supposed to actually be about employee engagement. It weeds out people who don’t want to be there. But Amazon’s timing, right before major union votes, seems targeted and an attempt to weed out the sorts of employees who would want a union.
In addition to payoffs, Amazon will hold warehouse-wide anti-union meetings that are mandatory for everyone to attend. There were 25 meetings per day in Staten Island leading up to a union vote there. That was non-stop from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon, every day, for six weeks. Employees attended in shifts and had to be at two per week.
1.Amazon Offered Zen Booths For Mental Health
After reading nine harrowing stories about life in an Amazon warehouse, it’s hard not to feel a little overwhelmed. The picture painted so far isn’t exactly rosy—grueling work, injuries, and exhaustion seem to be part of the package. But let’s face it: bills don’t pay themselves, and for many, Amazon is still a job worth having—at least until the robots finally take over. So, does Amazon do anything to help its overworked, stressed-out employees? Well, yes, but it’s… interesting.
Enter the “Mindful Practice” rooms, or as Amazon calls them, AmaZen. In 2021, the company introduced these spaces as a way for employees to take a breather and recharge. Sounds nice, right? Well, the reality was a bit… quirky. These “coffin-like” booths, roughly the size of an outhouse, were plopped right in the middle of the warehouse. Inside, workers could sit and watch corporate-made mental wellness videos, presumably to wash away their stress. Just imagine it: a tiny booth, a potted plant, a fan, and a fake skylight offering the soothing glow of artificial sunshine. Stress relief, Amazon-style.
Unsurprisingly, the internet had a field day mocking the idea. The backlash was so intense that Amazon eventually removed all promotional material about the AmaZen booths. As for whether these little wellness pods still exist in warehouses today? That’s anyone’s guess. It’s a strange, almost surreal attempt at addressing employee stress—one that leaves you wondering if it’s a genuine effort or just a PR move. Either way, it’s a reminder that even the biggest companies can sometimes miss the mark when it comes to understanding what their workers really need.
