Amazon is a retail behemoth has been reviled for overworking and underpaying its workers, forcing them to depend on the government social services to supplement their income, as well as using its power in the retailing world to drive many small local firms out of business. Recently it got some good publicity by saying that it would pay all its workers at least the minimum living wage of $15/hour. But it turns out that there is a catch, that what Amazon gave with one hand, it partially took away with the other.
Amazon.com Inc. is eliminating monthly bonuses and stock awards for warehouse workers and other hourly employees after the company pledged this week to raise pay to at least $15 an hour.
Warehouse workers for the e-commerce giant in the U.S. were eligible in the past for monthly bonuses that could total hundreds of dollars per month as well as stock awards, said two people familiar with Amazon’s pay policies. The company informed those employees Wednesday that it’s eliminating both of those compensation categories to help pay for the raises, the people said.
Amazon received plaudits when it announced Monday that the company would raise its minimum pay. The pay increase warded off criticism from politicians and activists, and put the company in a good position to recruit temporary workers for the important holiday shopping season.
Although workers will still get more money, it is less than one might have thought given the initial announcement.
This is a canny way for management to sow the seeds of discord between the workers. “See? That bonus you were desperate to get? The one you thought we had almost promised you? Yeah, you’re now sharing it with your colleagues now. Including those lazy fools you hate.”
@ 1 EigenSprocketUK
Alternatively, it may be a fine way to encourage instant unionization.
I think it is always worth paying a bit more to buy from companies that treat their employees fairly.
I look on it as a form of insurance. If you buy from a bad employer, you implicitly offer your employer permission to treat you badly.
Bonuses are bullshit. Improved basic pay for all is objectively better. At EVERY employer I’ve ever worked for bonuses went to suck ups and favoured faces, unrelated to measurable performance. Nothing Amazon does at this stage will get them anything but condemnation, even if it’s a clear improvement in conditions. Serve them right for being evil.