amznthrw_2020

The biggest problem is facilities not telling their employees when they have a confirmed case, because then employees might choose their own health over productivity. The second biggest problem is that most employees, even if they were told, can't afford to make that choice.

Odd, though, how recently the market determined that an increase in every Amazon's base wage to $15 was suddenly fair, without a commensurate increase in labor skill or decrease in supply having taken place. And how the market also determined RSUs were no longer fair once the stock price rose high enough.

It's almost as if these things aren't really determined by the impartial, invisible hand of the market at all.

They should shut down Amazon facilities for at least three days after the first case is confirmed, inform employees when that occurs, and if necessary provide paid leave until the facility is cleaned and inspected.

Their incentives are currently perverse, and encourage employees to show up sick - work and take on an unknown risk of being infected in exchange for a $2 raise and double overtime, stay home without pay, or get infected and get paid leave.

Posting from a throwaway because I know Amazon monitors this site.

As an Amazon FC employee, I follow several Facebook and Twitter accounts related to this, and I've heard many claims by employees of facilities not taking any action when the first case (or first few cases) are confirmed - including telling employees. Their policy seems to be to assume their existing contingencies, like social distancing and hand sanitizers, are sufficient even with active spread within the facility, and to continue business as usual until forced to do otherwise.

The article is accurate so far as I can tell. Amazon is unnecessarily risking their employee's health.