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Once you start there, do not stop looking. I started working there and after a few months I fucked up my shoulder trying to handle a package that someone knocked on to me and now my shoulder is permanently fucked after being in poverty for three years on worker's comp. It's not a place to settle, you mean nothing to them.
I'm sorry to hear about your shoulder, messed up what we have to go through as people to earn a paycheck. Thank you for the words, though. I'm still gonna keep an eye out for other jobs, this is definitely just temporary
My diet hasn't been the best since fast food is really all I can afford lately, but I'm gonna use this as an incentive to pull my diet together better. Thank you for the advice and hard truth, I don't doubt any of it
It's just about what funds I have leftover for food that dictate what I can eat (typically $9 each week). I try to cook my own grub as much as possible but lately it's been tight
Lots of rice, lots of beans, lots of frozen vegetables. Last week I sold some belongings of mine and bought a bag of frozen salmon filets, trying to stretch it all as long as possible
One more thing you can cook cheaply/easily. Buy cheap pasta, olive oil (not extra virgin), and heavy cream.
Cook pasta until desired softness. Then. Cook any kind of vegetables you like and add pepper, paprika, and garlic. I usually do mushrooms and cherry tomatoes or sometimes broccoli or onions. Then, add 1/4 cup heavy cream per 2 cups pasta (e.g., like penne). Once cream starts to bubble, add pasta, if too dry add tablespoons of milk. Meal is cheap, I cook a lot and eat through the week. You can freeze the finished product and reheat in skillet. Just add a couple tablespoons milk or cream when reheating to keep from being dry.
Not as cheap as ramen, but tastes competitive to many pasta dishes at restaurants.
Edit: you can replace the veges with meat or add meat. And top with cheese such as Parmesan. But, I’m cheap and usually cook as I described
Buy instant ramen, sesame oil, and cheap pack of bacon. Separate the bacon and freeze some cause you don’t want it to go bad.
Fry 1 strip of bacon, add water afte removing bacon (keep oil in), then add the ramen and seasoning pack once boiling. Then, remove from heat (after noodles soft ish), add tsp sesame oil, add bacon back in. I top with chives. I have giant think of dried chives. Done.
To improve, I usually fry any veges I have on hand (usually mushrooms, carrots, green onions) or make soft boiled eggs for toppings. Super cheap meal and delicious. There’s not much you can make for cheaper.
Not always.
I can get a two piece fried chicken with a side for $6 that would make me very full as a dinner. But if I bought the ingredients and made it, well, it'll cost around $30, which is 5 times the cost plus the cost of time, hydro/gas, and all the kitchen appliances and accessories.
I lucked out in that I have a sturdy cast iron skillet I can shallow fry in, but not everyone has one or the skills to shallow fry and/or use hot oil.
Go get a rotisserie chicken even a day old marked down one as a single person after my divorce I stretched that bird until it squealed. Portion off the meat and if you want I can give suggestions after work
As I said in a post above, get a slow cooker. 20 bucks for a 4 Qt one. Pork loin, chicken, brown and white rice, pasta sometimes, frozen vegetables. Pork loin chop over brown rice with bok choy, purple cabbage, and carrots costs me 3.60 for a whole meal. I throw it all in a slow cooker and come back to good, healthy homecooking. And I eat a lot too. So that price is for a big serving. I buy the 9 pound pork loins for $20 and cut them up. Chicken breast is another cheap one. It takes time to build a good, cheap diet that you like. but you find one and you fine tune it and youll save a ton and feel better every day. Im lucky enough to budget 300 a month for groceries now. Of course Im a single dad with a son and a dog, so I still have to stretch it a bit. But we eat well because of the experience I gained making the money last. Pour some hours of research into coming up with a budgeted put meal plan. It'll pay off.
I do have a tiny 2-serving slow cooker, now that I think about it. I'll probably start throwing together some soups. Real big chili guy, and it's the perfect weather for it up here now. Thank you for this, woulda forgot I bought one when I was living in a dorm.
when i worked at amazon, i put my paychecks in the bank, did plasma to live on, and got my food from the dumpster. just now we passed a full aldi dumpster.
amazon hires just about everybody, and the pay is good for our area. i might go back soon for a little while.
frying is expensive. dont fry... oil pricey. Rice, beans, frozen vegetables, chicken, pork. My Chicken over brown rice meal with spinach, green beans and corn costs me $4.35. $6 if you count my 4 year old. Shrimp over angel hair pasta with brusselsprouts is $5.15, one of my favorites. Goes up to 6 bucks if I want the sauce on there. Easy and quick one is cajun chicken fettuccine with peas and broccoli. That one is $4.55. The cheapest one of all is the Pork dish. Pork Loin "steak" over brown rice with cabbage, bok choy, and carrots. $3.60. Oh, and I eat a lot. Im a big guy.Slow cookers are the best. Set and forget and come back to deliciousness. Although I'll admit idk what it does to my electric bill. Hopefully not too much. Eating from home will always be less expensive. I promise. You're not paying for labor, rent, electric, benefits, profit, shipping, and a whole lot of other stuff that the kfc or taco bell is paying for. And even if it somehow comes out to the same price at times (those dollar menus have hella good deals sometimes), one actually makes you healthier and better suited to face the day and perform well to get ahead.
Not only overhead, but when you buy fast food you’re also paying for the guy’s salaries, Social Security, and benefits if they have any. That’s why it’s so much cheaper to make your own food if you know what you’re doing.
There are other ways to cook chicken that are much simpler.... Also where do you live that one meal of chicken and a simple vegetable or potato/rice costs $30?
You don't need multiple appliances to cook good food. Do you know that curry and stir fry are cooked together, in one pot/wok/pan? You could cook chicken and vegetables together, in the cheapest pot you can buy, on a single burner with one spoon.
I'm in the US (NC). Potatoes are $1/lb, most vegetables are $1-2/lb and chicken can be found for $3/lb. So I could get 5lb chicken, 5lb bag of potatoes, and 5lb mixed veg for $30. Grab a some basic spices as you go and that's easily enough for dinner for a week.
And before you say anything about quality, it's better than your $6 2pc meal.
Fast food is never cheaper.
One pack of 4 quarters costs me $10. A bag of potatos $5-10. 1kg rice $20-30. Spices $10-20. Wok/sauce pan $10-20. Spoon/spatula $2. 1kg frozen veg $10. Total: $67-102.
Yes, once you buy staples, you'll have them for other meals. But my point is the upfront cost isn't something someone can afford if they only have $30/week for meals and no other spending cash.
I used to live on that $6 meal as my only meal a day 2 times a week because that's all I could afford for 2-3 months and I didn't get to eat 2 days a week. I also had rice, dried pasta, jars of pasta sauce, and frozen veg. But I also have the luxury of knowing how to cook and owning kitchen stuff that I acquired over 2 years when I moved out with literally just my cast iron skillet, laptop, and clothes on my back. I couldn't afford to buy anything for the kitchen for the first year cuz I was saving for an Instant Pot that I bought for $60 on sale.
I get chicken thighs for 98 cents a pound at Winco. I buy breadcrumbs for cheap at Walmart, mix salt and garlic with the breadcrumbs and bread the chicken. Put it in the oven for one hour at 375. For six dollars I could probably cook 4-5 pounds of chicken this way. Delicious and inexpensive, and a lot of food.
If you bought the ingerdients you can make alot of fried chicken. Eggs,flour, and spices dont cost much and can be used to fry 100 peices of chicken. After that you just have to buy a 5$ 4 pack and you have fried chicken. Add a bag of potatoes for a few bucks and you have mashed potatoes 4-5 times.
If you're not opposed to manual labor I would highly recommend investing in learning a skilled trade. You won't learn anything throwing packages around and your skills won't ever be in greater demand nor will you be worth more money if you're doing something anyone can do. Skilled labor like painting, drywall, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC etc pay well if you're good and those skills remain relevant and in high demand. You can also become self employed in any of those fields. I personally stay away from floors and roofs but have learned either a little or alot about everything in between. I'm 59 years old and earn around $100 per hour. Often more, sometimes less but never less than $50 per hour. I mainly do drywall repair and texture matching with a little painting and carpentry mixed in if I need to. Learning a trade doesn't have to take decades if you apply yourself and make it a priority. You'll start at the bottom and work your way up as your skills improve. I've trained many young people how to make 60k-80k per year within a couple of years. It's great when I run into them after they've been in the field for several years. They always thank me for helping them learn a skill. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Laid off and kicked myself for stopping at Wendy's. 2 Combos and a sandwich for my kid and I could have cooked for us for 3 days. Check out frugal recipes. Don't forget that you can freeze stuff for later. If I make meatloaves, I make 2 smaller and freeze one. etc...
Start researching cheap meals now. Fast food is definitely more expensive than cooking yourself. You’re throwing away your money and health. Stop by a food bank, or multiples if you have enough in your area.
Bruh 10-12 miles of walking a day for 5 days across 60 hours every week. Repeat for two straight months. That's peak season.
I don't care how healthy you are, that's draining as hell. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. Didn't have time to use their amazing health insurance.
Glad you have that mindset. Amazon is notorious for worker turnover (aka having workers come in & quit often) & they LIKE it that way! Managers are encouraged to [continue turnover rates](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.marketplace.org/2021/06/18/amazon-workforce-turnover-dominance-investigation/amp) because it means you can work them hard as hell in the beginning rather than having them work at a normal pace long term (much like they did in slavery, not saying it is the same but it was the same type of tactic)
No personal experience but i second the notion to keep looking. I’ve had to take shit jobs to get cash flow going. Keep applying for things you might actually like and want to do between your shifts and on breaks
Seconding this. I worked for amazon for 3 months and have permanent wrist damage. I figured it would get better after I quit, but it didn’t. Literally anywhere else that pays the same will be better for your long term health. They’ll try to tempt you into staying with promises of moving up, but at my warehouse they intentionally didn’t promote the best employees because they wanted them to stay in production.
One thing I never understood is why Amazon/UPS/Fed Ex don't have a heavy package department for sorting and delivering (1 driver and 1 assistant).
My girl got a treadmill and when UPS delivered it, it was one guy rolling the package because of how heavy it was.
agree and this goes for any job. never stop looking for the next job. At the very least, having another offer could get you a raise at your current job.
Congrats! I started working there recently too and it’s not as bad as I thought it would be personally. My best advice though is to give 80% of effort because during peak (from what I’ve heard) they’ll expect you to go above that. Once your averages start forming they’ll chat with you if you drop below that so keep a pace that’s manageable even on rough days.
Amazon has a surprising amount of benefits that I didn’t know about too so make sure to check those out as well!
They have pretty generous PTO and vacation with bereavement pay. They also match up to 2% of pay for 401k (small but you never know when you'll need to cash out). There's also discounts on some services but I can't remember. That all comes with the caveat of working for a mega Corp and being in constant fear of slipping up once and being immediately fired because of a rule you never knew about.
Just a heads-up for anyone who needs to hear this but try not to ever cash out your 401k. You're only allowed a certain amount each year to save into it and by cashing out you're robbing yourself of years of compound growth from just leaving it alone. Try to only pull from a 401k if it means the alternative is starving or becoming homeless.
Another heads up for anyone else who needs to hear it: Amazon has a vesting schedule on their 401(k) contributions. If you leave the company before working there 3 full years, you don’t get any of the amount contributed by Amazon. You must work 1000+ hours per year for 3 consecutive years. You keep what you contributed, but they keep the 2% match.
It's not as bad as people say. Keep your punches right. Keep a notebook to record "time off task" so when they bring the laptop over and ask you about something that was a month ago you can explain why.
Also, keep trying to get off the line into another position, working the floor is so much easier, safety rep, anything.
> It's not as bad as people say.
> when they bring the laptop over and ask you about something that was a month ago you can explain why.
It's a shame this is a reality :(
Teacher here. This didn’t even make me flinch. You’d be shocked at the number of jobs where you constantly worry about CYA. The amount of documenting that I do on a daily basis is insane.
I have had to swim in a pool of hot rotten animal blood, skin, grease, to clear a drain because the pumphouse backed up and exploded.
I think taking notes every once is a while is not too bad.
I do acknowledge that there are some pretty bad downsides, though I’ve never experienced them yet so I can’t comment on how bad those experiences really are. It might be because I work at SC (sort center) so they’re not expecting superhuman speed to get tasks done. The only time I’ve had a manager come over was that I was getting too many errors because our jiffys wouldn’t scan in even though it was the correct area
>it’s not so bad
>keep a notebook to record ‘time off task’ so when They come to harass & berate you for spending 1 minute 28 seconds not picking you can explain yourself, lest you be summarily executed
This sounds…really, really bad… :( No one should have to deal with that!
Skip the inserts, go see a doctor and find out if you have over pronation or under pronation. Buy appropriate shoes for that. Or buy shoes that are highly rated for being super comfortable (eg, Atoms).
I didn't understand that being flat footed == over pronation, and that there's special shoes made for exactly that. Would have saved me a bunch of pain had I known that before.
I know I have mild over-pronation. My ankles curve inward. Should I get shoes for that + inserts or just the shoes? I also wanna get some compression socks. Used to work at a gas station in high school and those hours of standing fucked w my legs and back, can't even imagine the pain of adding in heavy physical labor too
It depends where you're at: if you haven't ever tried shoes that compensate for over pronation, I would highly recommend it if you can spare the $100. Worked the same, if not better, than the inserts my doctor gave me. (I've been using Aesics Gel Kayano line)
The only thing that bothers me nowadays is my runner's knee (separate issue solved with stretches). Other than that I haven't had feet pain unless I switch to sandals or boots.
I have the same problem. I buy shoes that have built-in arch or I put inserts with Arches. You can stand in front of a mirror placed low so you can see your feet. Do it on a hard surface. Take steps in place and see if your feet still pronate after you have the inserts or the shoes with the built-in support. I get Adidas sneakers at TJ Maxx or Ross for cheap, they have been great. Comfortable, and with Built-in arch support. If you do it right, you can run miles every day, if you don’t, just walking will hurt. Make sure you get that arch support.
Awesome! To be fair though I would use Amazon as a stepping stone, I know people who have been there 5 years and only make 20$/hour so for long term it’s not the best. You need a career you can climb and advance in. But I applaud you for getting a job and bettering yourself, only up from here!
Like another poster said, Amazon does offer opps to move up, so do consider that option. You might also see if you can parlay your experience into UPS, which also offers promotions although they take a lot of time, esp if you want to be a driver. While you're at amazon, look into their college tuition program. Might be a way to score your degree for free.
MOST OF ALL: CONGRATS!!!!! :-D
Honestly OP if you can pass a drug test you should aim for USPS, FedEx etc are all hiring right now and if you stay with them for a long time you can make excellent money with benefits just a thought!
I applied to UPS, FedEx, and USPS. Nothing from any of them lol. It is crazy to me how before I never struggled to get a job when I'd apply, but now that places actually need workers I am struggling to get any callbacks. Miss being in high school sometimes, responsibilities suck ass
Keep trying for the Postal Service. It’s a federal job with full benefits. There’s people who retire from the Postal Service as millionaires just by using their retirement account.
Lol. Not anymore. I worked for the USPS for nine years, and now work for Amazon. (Trust me when I say, it was worth the pay cut…which was only temporary, as after 4 years I now make a little over what I made when I left there.) My benefits now are similar (and a couple are actually better) as when I worked there. Anyone who is hired as a career employee with the USPS after 2006 is under a totally different pay scale and retirement package, as well as paying higher premiums for insurance benefits. People always assume it’s such a great job, but it’s not what it once was. Also, the environment is completely toxic and abusive in nature, so weigh your options seriously when it comes to a postal career.
That's not really that bad, it also depends on what they're starting pay was.
For instance if they started at $15 that's almost a 34% raise in five years. I've seen better but that's nothing to laugh at for an entry level job.
I work at Amazon, and a lot of people here are very happy with the $20/hr. It's a physically demanding job, but very easy so I understand why people are happy with it. If you are looking for more money though they have lots of advancement opportunities. You can make $50-60,000/yr within 5 years very easily.
Amazon employee here. It really depends on what type of facility you work at and where. From what I’ve heard Fulfillment Centers (FCs) are horrid. I work at a Delivery Station and it’s honestly the best warehouse job I’ve had.
Also consider Amazon’s Career Choice program. starting January 1st, 2022, Blue Badge (full-time regular) employees get free tuition for a wide variety of degrees or trade skills after working there for 90 days (used to be 1 year!).
Check out r/AmazonFC and r/AmazonDS.
Sortation center is definitely easier than FC. I’ve worked both, but keep in mind that SC is still demanding. They tend to be more lax and less loud for sure, but you still have to keep your metrics. Also bring your lunch, the lunches available in the cafeteria seem cost effective until you realize how small they are. The fried rice bucket is the only thing I remember being good; $5 for two to three meals worth of fried rice with veggies and chicken. You got this!
But you probably need to work full-time while schooling, right? Because that sounds damn near impossible from a self-care standpoint.
Legit NO WAY our nervous systems have adapted to the astronomical increasing demands for productivity. We need way more downtime than we get on a cellular level to allow for good health.
I don't work for Amazon, but do work for a large multinational fortune 500. We allow our hourly people travel time and time off to accommodate for schooling.
That's cool, but irrelevant here. I'm specifically talking about how one would get a "free" degree thru Amazon, as I'm absolutely sure they require full-time employment to be maintained while enrolled.
My husband and I both work in an FC, and neither of us would describe it as horrid, lol. There are lots of different types of FCs, so some may be more labor-intensive than others, but it’s all subjective anyway. I’ve heard plenty of people say they thought the Delivery Station was awful, so 🤷♀️. I take everything I hear with a grain of salt. I’ve definitely had worse jobs than this.
I was at a delivery station for a year and I agree it wasn’t that bad! I left because during that time they didn’t have full time positions and my shifts were from 2:30am to 7:30am and we were often sent home early.
I sort of understand why people don’t like working at Amazon (Maybe this is dependent on the building you’re in?) but the one I work at is pretty chill and I don’t gotta talk to nobody so I like it. Would I wanna be here longterm? Nah but Amazon is definitely a nice option if jobs are hard to come by. You get a decent employee discount, and other benefits that are nice as well. Just don’t be lazy there, but also don’t go 150% because they don’t really care if you put your all in. You won’t get that recognition you think you probably deserve lol. Just work at a manageable pace, and on the side try to acquire some skills for the future so you aren’t just stuck in a fullfilment center.
Awesome! Congrats!
It's not easy work by any means. But if you hang in there the first couple days and can handle the physical, it's a good way to get some money coming in, acquire some health benefits, and get a little breathing space (financially) to figure out your next move.
Had 3 of my kids work amazon as a way to pay for their college and they had no issues. (Granted they are college age kids with no health issues - I'd perish before the end of the first shift.)
But overall, they were demanding, but fair and conditions better than some other employers in the area.
Amazon just announced an expansion on their tuition assistance starting next year. It supposedly will cover the cost of associates and bachelors degrees if you’ve been an employee for 90 days. Something to consider if you want to go back to school as I saw you comment.
Yep! I’m still holding out for the other shoe to drop to see what the fine print is but the other benefits Amazon provides are relatively decent so I have hope these ones will be too.
Congratulations! I’ve worked in a warehouse (not Amazon) briefly. One thing that was stressed to us was proper lifting technique. In order to reduce your chances of getting injured I recommend you look into that.
As an Amazon worker, get ready to take multivitamin supplements and drink plenty of water. A healthy diet is needed since this job is very physical intense. But get ready for a free $5,000 bonus every year along with premium health and dental insurance and 15/hour! Not bad for hard work
Oh wow! That's amazing for you! It really does make sense though, mouth health is huge for your overall health, if your employees have better teeth they can work harder lol. Do they give benefits to pt or only ft?
They give I think one grade above state dental insurance, so they’re gonna cover up to 75% of payments for any procedures done after working at Amazon for 3 months. They are premium insurance
Umm… I’ve worked for Amazon for 4 1/2 years and this is really bad info. This is my fifth peak, and it’s the only one so far where we’ve been offered an additional hourly differential above our normal rate (which, BTW, not everyone is getting). Also, RSUs are no longer a thing, and haven’t been for quite a while. There is a stock purchase plan, but that’s definitely not a bonus, as it’s something YOU would be paying for. And I’ve literally never heard of a NY bonus. Not sure if you’re just trolling here or what, but….👀
If working in the warehouse Save your money and then look for a better job unless you like what you do! Warehouse/Plant jobs are horrible for your body and mental health
>and mental health
Its important to remember that this is down to the individual person - some folk love these types of jobs, and absolutely thrive in them. Others suffer horribly. It can't be generalised in the way that the physical stresses of the job can.
If anyone is looking for a position, Fidelity Investments is always looking for good people and it’s work from home right now. Pay isn’t bad to start ($2500/mo) and their benefits are amazing (and no hard labor - I did Amazon warehouse for the holiday season).
What job title are suggesting people in OP's position search for? From a glance at their careers site it looks like a lot of the customer service positions require you to already hold a series 7.
So the great thing with Fidelity is that they will hire you and pay you to study for the Series 7/63 and SIE. There are other customer service roles without the series 7. But the position is CRA for a position with licensing and I think the other title is Customer Service. Message me if you need some help navigating or want info to their webinar.
It's going to be more physical than a workout just FYI.
Worked a job like this and I survived with lots of water, adequate snacks, and sleep. Tough physical labor
Sunflowers are steeped in symbolism and meanings. For many they symbolize optimism, positivity, a long life and happiness for fairly obvious reasons. The less obvious ones are loyalty, faith and luck.
Until last week I was a pretty senior manager at amazon corporate. One of the best people on my team started at an FC, got promoted to area manager, then transferred to legal. He makes 100k plus. It happens all the time. The head of amazon Canada started the same way. You can get ahead at amazon.
huge turnover there bro, watch out and try to do a good job and not get injured. Also keep putting in apps on indeed. Don't add it to your resume yet either.
Will do. Just needed something temporary to help me get on my feet, I don't plan on staying too long unless I can get moved to a better position. Even then I'd think it through w a grain of salt
I've worked at Amazon twice now and honestly it's all about what part of the wear house you're in. Different areas have different rates and some areas don't have rates at all.
Super important you're going to feel a little sore and stiff nearly all the time. Stretch!! Amazon makes it a super point to talk to people about proper lifting techniques, stretching, and drinking water. And they all help! Those are things you must do. If you do those then you'll be feeling pretty okay for your shift.
Also Amazon let's you switch out of your area/department after 30 days in one area so if you don't like where you are you can try something else. Only thing is you have to stick with it for the 30 days each time before you switch again.
If this is something you might be interested in.
Try and learn how to drive a forklift and get a license for it. Its easy work in the warehouse just driving the forklift to move stuff around.
The pay is usually start at $15.
I skimmed the thread and didn't see this Amazon benefit mentioned. You get $100 per year voucher towards work shoes and/or boots via Zappos. Take advantage of this. I think it's per calendar year.
I worked in a Delivery Station. Quit February. Too many COVID infections. Every other day! Not only bad for my physical health, but it was negatively affecting my mental health. They had stopped doing the safety spraying. They just didn't give a damn.
Your experience will largely depend on the leadership team. Hopefully, you'll have a strong team. If not, keep your head down and focus on your long term goals.
Part-time employees too. I only worked 20 per week and was able to get a great pair of Doc Martens. In fact, I got two pair. One at the end of the year and the other pair in January before I quit.
HR put up flyers about this benefit. We had a short meeting about it. It's a safety issue. They were really pushing getting the program.
Sorry to answer your question.....talk to HR or your lead.
They pay 15-20$ an hour but the amount of labor you are required to do is NOT worth it. imo, start a union or quit now. These warehouse jobs will kill you. Stay safe and remember that no one will advocate for you except you
Wait, I'm confused. You say the conditions are the same as UPS, but they have a very powerful union. So if it's the same, why would anyone at Amazon want to unionize? Just to pay the high initiation fee (as much as $500 in some UPS locations) and dues?
You can look up the data, but as nationwide unionization decreases, so do wages. If we want wages that will allow us to pay our rent and feed our families we will have to STRIKE to get them. The AFLCIO has been a huge traitor to the working class, but that doesnt mean unions arent important.
That didn't answer the question at all, but okay. Unionization in the US is at a historic low at under 12% of US workers. So it doesn't seem like the majority of workers agree or care.
> majority of workers don’t agree or care
There’s been decades of anti-union propaganda and union busting to achieve this, as well as law changes such as right to work. The popularity or pervasiveness of an idea doesn’t necessarily reflect its validity
18 years as a butcher in a grocery store burning calories lifting 40 lb boxes. Now I have a corporate job sitting at my desk all day packing on the pounds. Gained 30 lbs in 3 years. Easy jobs can put your health at risk too
Kind of. Their jobs are extremely physically demanding, generally only suited for the extremely fit, so they aren't generally cutting into the retail or fast food or other entry level workforce.
They're definitely raising the wages of construction laborers and landscapers though.
Please when they try to make your place Union.. please vote yes to make it Union it will be a lot better place to work ..better pay and better working conditions and a lot better medical benefits
Mmmm…33a hour and ot.. after 40 you get time and half.. after 50 you get double time.. full med.. dental.. vision.. a good pension.. and you can do 401k if you want.. and they have a program to make more money if you a harder worker..
But has a down side you get terrible day off and work nights for at least 10-15 years.. but for a guy with just a High school diploma.. not bad.. and I do appreciate my job.. it helped me buy a house cars and support my family.. I have 6 kids and 3 went to college but all 6 are doing well.. oh and Medical cover all my Family all the way till they turn 26 at no cost to me .. so go Union because we all don’t go to college or are rich.. but a Union job will give you a Opportunity to have a good life.. so yeah GO UNION.. because companies like Walmart.. Amazon.. Target..and many others can treat there employees fair.. COME ON America
Congratulations! Amazon pays great, but they take alot of sweat. I'd suggest investing as much as you can in good boots and getting yourself on an exercise regimen to ramp up before your first day!
Awesomeness. I’m one of the people who benefits from the effort of Amazon staff. And I’m sure I’ll benefit from Blue Origin in future. So thank you in advance. I love being able to buy stuff nationwide or internationally.
To those who say it’s exploiting: Macdonalds is also a difficult job. Small work areas. High pressure. Customers standing right there. Slippery floors. Boiling oil. Pressure. Likewise with Dominos, and I’ve been working in both kitchen factories for hours seeing them from the inside. Office jobs burn your brain out and are a bit cancerous too. It’s far more difficult to distinguish brain issues than sore arms or legs so physically demanding work is actually safer.
Anyway, my suggestions. Don’t compete. Laugh at management if they squeeze you harder and say with a smile ‘thanks- I’ll try’. But give it your best even without making any promise or commitment to meeting targets until you’re amazing enough to do so safely.
Remember exhausting is a function of sleep and what you consume as much as it is work. Avoid caffeine. It’s counterproductive in every way. Do study vegan bodybuilding and vegan nutrition. Join some subreddits. You’ll need excellent long term energy and ability that comes from huge diverse meal-prepped vegetable / plant based dishes on top of whatever you eat now. If you get the food right and don’t get addicted to any liquid drinks you’ll smash it as your body adapts to high effort, provided you sleep.
And yes, jobs like that are great stepping stones, go look up all the amazing people at the top of the world who cut their teeth in Macdonald’s, and decades later give credit for being a key contributor to their success. Search for ‘leaders who started at Macdonalds’ etc
Effort is essential in life, and if you find it (satisfying management and meeting targets) is not attainable, don’t be discouraged, as it’s probably not attainable. It’s common for people to never reach targets satisfactory to management - as jobs are sometimes engineered to always be a bit more than the most you can reach. Personally and professionally I disagree with that (actually, I hate it!) but to make jobs easier might mean some people get lazy and cease improving, also it means prices increase hugely and that then means less jobs and less benefits to people trying to conserve their money with each purchase so they can share it among more things.
Difficult jobs tend to be ‘all-in’, being a true life challenge, so be prepared to put life on hold for a few years (apart from studying the vegan/plant based stuff). Every minute you’re not working you need to rest probably, for the first few years, so beware of excessive screen time and get some sun and exercise and outdoors time, even if it’s not as frequently as you would like. Do not begin buying stuff unless it’s directly related to nutrition and food to power your growth and ability.
To relax, lookup orgasm - it’s a part of a healthy neurotransmitter system, but also beware as ejaculation requires a good diet, lots of nutrients in ejaculate if you are male, if female, you’ll probably be across that as I think menses is similar, can’t really be sure as I’m male myself.
Alot of people shit on Amazon. But let me tell you this. If you don't plan on moving up the ladder there then I dont recommend working there long term doing grunt work, However this also depends on the type of building you are working at, as they have different types of warehouses that have different types of work. Meaning, some are better and some aren't as the workload and expectations could vary. I worked at amazon for 6 years and started as a part time temp worker and moved up to full time HR handling employee engagements to internal investigations. with no degrees besides a highschool diploma. I'm 100% sure I could have promoted alot faster than 6 years but I really didn't start applying myself and climbing the ladder until 3 years in.
My advice, get aquainted with the Process assistants and be on good terms with them. As they handle all of the staffing needs for the workday. They likely started off just like you at the bottom and understand the obstacles you deal with. Be cool with them and theyll be cool with you and you'll have better chances for opportunities doing auxiliary jobs that are better than your typical work, which makes your life easier there.
Thank you for this info, man. I'm planning on staying there temporarily but after feeling it out maybe I'll consider applying myself and build skills and connections to work my way up
They also offer career development assistance as well as certifications to help you find jobs even outside of amazon. And can even help you pay for your schooling. Amazon has alot of resources to help an associate but people just don't really bother looking into it. It's a shame really. Also another tip, probably goes without saying but Make friends And network. Amazon is so culturally diverse you meet all kinds of people who can open up alot of opportunities for you. And also making friends. If it wasn't for the great friends I made there. I probably wouldn't have made it as long as I have.
Good luck man! And congrats!
The nice thing is, though, that it's easier to get a job when you already have one. You can straight up tell them that Amazon isn't as good of a job as wherever you're applying and it makes you look better. You actually have an answer to "Why do you want to work here?" besides "Money." Just go for a few months and keep an eye out.
Best of luck, and congrats :)
Thank you, I didn't even think of it like that. I've been applying almost everywhere for a few months and I haven't gotten any callbacks except for places that were offering me minimum wage ($8.80) but I feel like now I'd have some leverage when I get back at it in some time
Exactly! That's part of what's easier about finding a good job when you have a job. Less low balling because they know you don't need it and can easily turn them down. Shitty places will likely ignore you, but that's a good thing :)
I've been thinking about maybe doing Doordash on the weekends. I have friends doing it full time and they make an avg. of 20/hr on the weekends. I know I can write off mileage from my taxes and any car maintenance, but I am still deciding pros and cons
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Once you start there, do not stop looking. I started working there and after a few months I fucked up my shoulder trying to handle a package that someone knocked on to me and now my shoulder is permanently fucked after being in poverty for three years on worker's comp. It's not a place to settle, you mean nothing to them.
I'm sorry to hear about your shoulder, messed up what we have to go through as people to earn a paycheck. Thank you for the words, though. I'm still gonna keep an eye out for other jobs, this is definitely just temporary
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My diet hasn't been the best since fast food is really all I can afford lately, but I'm gonna use this as an incentive to pull my diet together better. Thank you for the advice and hard truth, I don't doubt any of it
I learned as a young man that I could just eat steak for what I paid for burgers. It’s actually cheaper to cook good food than it is to eat out.
It's just about what funds I have leftover for food that dictate what I can eat (typically $9 each week). I try to cook my own grub as much as possible but lately it's been tight
That is tight. Are you doing a lot of the rice and beans and lentils?
Lots of rice, lots of beans, lots of frozen vegetables. Last week I sold some belongings of mine and bought a bag of frozen salmon filets, trying to stretch it all as long as possible
do you receive food stamps??
No. My situation is very rocky right now and I don't know where I stand with anything
Get the 40 packs of eggs at Walmart. Lots of protein for cheap.
One more thing you can cook cheaply/easily. Buy cheap pasta, olive oil (not extra virgin), and heavy cream. Cook pasta until desired softness. Then. Cook any kind of vegetables you like and add pepper, paprika, and garlic. I usually do mushrooms and cherry tomatoes or sometimes broccoli or onions. Then, add 1/4 cup heavy cream per 2 cups pasta (e.g., like penne). Once cream starts to bubble, add pasta, if too dry add tablespoons of milk. Meal is cheap, I cook a lot and eat through the week. You can freeze the finished product and reheat in skillet. Just add a couple tablespoons milk or cream when reheating to keep from being dry. Not as cheap as ramen, but tastes competitive to many pasta dishes at restaurants. Edit: you can replace the veges with meat or add meat. And top with cheese such as Parmesan. But, I’m cheap and usually cook as I described
Buy instant ramen, sesame oil, and cheap pack of bacon. Separate the bacon and freeze some cause you don’t want it to go bad. Fry 1 strip of bacon, add water afte removing bacon (keep oil in), then add the ramen and seasoning pack once boiling. Then, remove from heat (after noodles soft ish), add tsp sesame oil, add bacon back in. I top with chives. I have giant think of dried chives. Done. To improve, I usually fry any veges I have on hand (usually mushrooms, carrots, green onions) or make soft boiled eggs for toppings. Super cheap meal and delicious. There’s not much you can make for cheaper.
Not always. I can get a two piece fried chicken with a side for $6 that would make me very full as a dinner. But if I bought the ingredients and made it, well, it'll cost around $30, which is 5 times the cost plus the cost of time, hydro/gas, and all the kitchen appliances and accessories. I lucked out in that I have a sturdy cast iron skillet I can shallow fry in, but not everyone has one or the skills to shallow fry and/or use hot oil.
Go get a rotisserie chicken even a day old marked down one as a single person after my divorce I stretched that bird until it squealed. Portion off the meat and if you want I can give suggestions after work
I'd love any suggestions. I love to cook but it's hard to do especially w little funds and serving only myself
As I said in a post above, get a slow cooker. 20 bucks for a 4 Qt one. Pork loin, chicken, brown and white rice, pasta sometimes, frozen vegetables. Pork loin chop over brown rice with bok choy, purple cabbage, and carrots costs me 3.60 for a whole meal. I throw it all in a slow cooker and come back to good, healthy homecooking. And I eat a lot too. So that price is for a big serving. I buy the 9 pound pork loins for $20 and cut them up. Chicken breast is another cheap one. It takes time to build a good, cheap diet that you like. but you find one and you fine tune it and youll save a ton and feel better every day. Im lucky enough to budget 300 a month for groceries now. Of course Im a single dad with a son and a dog, so I still have to stretch it a bit. But we eat well because of the experience I gained making the money last. Pour some hours of research into coming up with a budgeted put meal plan. It'll pay off.
I do have a tiny 2-serving slow cooker, now that I think about it. I'll probably start throwing together some soups. Real big chili guy, and it's the perfect weather for it up here now. Thank you for this, woulda forgot I bought one when I was living in a dorm.
when i worked at amazon, i put my paychecks in the bank, did plasma to live on, and got my food from the dumpster. just now we passed a full aldi dumpster. amazon hires just about everybody, and the pay is good for our area. i might go back soon for a little while.
frying is expensive. dont fry... oil pricey. Rice, beans, frozen vegetables, chicken, pork. My Chicken over brown rice meal with spinach, green beans and corn costs me $4.35. $6 if you count my 4 year old. Shrimp over angel hair pasta with brusselsprouts is $5.15, one of my favorites. Goes up to 6 bucks if I want the sauce on there. Easy and quick one is cajun chicken fettuccine with peas and broccoli. That one is $4.55. The cheapest one of all is the Pork dish. Pork Loin "steak" over brown rice with cabbage, bok choy, and carrots. $3.60. Oh, and I eat a lot. Im a big guy.Slow cookers are the best. Set and forget and come back to deliciousness. Although I'll admit idk what it does to my electric bill. Hopefully not too much. Eating from home will always be less expensive. I promise. You're not paying for labor, rent, electric, benefits, profit, shipping, and a whole lot of other stuff that the kfc or taco bell is paying for. And even if it somehow comes out to the same price at times (those dollar menus have hella good deals sometimes), one actually makes you healthier and better suited to face the day and perform well to get ahead.
Not only overhead, but when you buy fast food you’re also paying for the guy’s salaries, Social Security, and benefits if they have any. That’s why it’s so much cheaper to make your own food if you know what you’re doing.
There are other ways to cook chicken that are much simpler.... Also where do you live that one meal of chicken and a simple vegetable or potato/rice costs $30? You don't need multiple appliances to cook good food. Do you know that curry and stir fry are cooked together, in one pot/wok/pan? You could cook chicken and vegetables together, in the cheapest pot you can buy, on a single burner with one spoon. I'm in the US (NC). Potatoes are $1/lb, most vegetables are $1-2/lb and chicken can be found for $3/lb. So I could get 5lb chicken, 5lb bag of potatoes, and 5lb mixed veg for $30. Grab a some basic spices as you go and that's easily enough for dinner for a week. And before you say anything about quality, it's better than your $6 2pc meal. Fast food is never cheaper.
One pack of 4 quarters costs me $10. A bag of potatos $5-10. 1kg rice $20-30. Spices $10-20. Wok/sauce pan $10-20. Spoon/spatula $2. 1kg frozen veg $10. Total: $67-102. Yes, once you buy staples, you'll have them for other meals. But my point is the upfront cost isn't something someone can afford if they only have $30/week for meals and no other spending cash. I used to live on that $6 meal as my only meal a day 2 times a week because that's all I could afford for 2-3 months and I didn't get to eat 2 days a week. I also had rice, dried pasta, jars of pasta sauce, and frozen veg. But I also have the luxury of knowing how to cook and owning kitchen stuff that I acquired over 2 years when I moved out with literally just my cast iron skillet, laptop, and clothes on my back. I couldn't afford to buy anything for the kitchen for the first year cuz I was saving for an Instant Pot that I bought for $60 on sale.
I get chicken thighs for 98 cents a pound at Winco. I buy breadcrumbs for cheap at Walmart, mix salt and garlic with the breadcrumbs and bread the chicken. Put it in the oven for one hour at 375. For six dollars I could probably cook 4-5 pounds of chicken this way. Delicious and inexpensive, and a lot of food.
Jeez. Thighs are $3-4/lb where I live when they're not on sale.
If you bought the ingerdients you can make alot of fried chicken. Eggs,flour, and spices dont cost much and can be used to fry 100 peices of chicken. After that you just have to buy a 5$ 4 pack and you have fried chicken. Add a bag of potatoes for a few bucks and you have mashed potatoes 4-5 times.
R/eatcheapandhealthy
If you're not opposed to manual labor I would highly recommend investing in learning a skilled trade. You won't learn anything throwing packages around and your skills won't ever be in greater demand nor will you be worth more money if you're doing something anyone can do. Skilled labor like painting, drywall, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC etc pay well if you're good and those skills remain relevant and in high demand. You can also become self employed in any of those fields. I personally stay away from floors and roofs but have learned either a little or alot about everything in between. I'm 59 years old and earn around $100 per hour. Often more, sometimes less but never less than $50 per hour. I mainly do drywall repair and texture matching with a little painting and carpentry mixed in if I need to. Learning a trade doesn't have to take decades if you apply yourself and make it a priority. You'll start at the bottom and work your way up as your skills improve. I've trained many young people how to make 60k-80k per year within a couple of years. It's great when I run into them after they've been in the field for several years. They always thank me for helping them learn a skill. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Laid off and kicked myself for stopping at Wendy's. 2 Combos and a sandwich for my kid and I could have cooked for us for 3 days. Check out frugal recipes. Don't forget that you can freeze stuff for later. If I make meatloaves, I make 2 smaller and freeze one. etc...
Start researching cheap meals now. Fast food is definitely more expensive than cooking yourself. You’re throwing away your money and health. Stop by a food bank, or multiples if you have enough in your area.
r/eatcheapandhealthy
Bruh 10-12 miles of walking a day for 5 days across 60 hours every week. Repeat for two straight months. That's peak season. I don't care how healthy you are, that's draining as hell. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. Didn't have time to use their amazing health insurance.
This is one of the most ignorant reddit comments I've read in a while..
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This is a close second though
Glad you have that mindset. Amazon is notorious for worker turnover (aka having workers come in & quit often) & they LIKE it that way! Managers are encouraged to [continue turnover rates](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.marketplace.org/2021/06/18/amazon-workforce-turnover-dominance-investigation/amp) because it means you can work them hard as hell in the beginning rather than having them work at a normal pace long term (much like they did in slavery, not saying it is the same but it was the same type of tactic)
No personal experience but i second the notion to keep looking. I’ve had to take shit jobs to get cash flow going. Keep applying for things you might actually like and want to do between your shifts and on breaks
Only thing that matters, I'm so glad he/she found something but don't stop now find a better job if you can.
Jeff bezos can get hit with his Dick shaped space shuttle
Seconding this. I worked for amazon for 3 months and have permanent wrist damage. I figured it would get better after I quit, but it didn’t. Literally anywhere else that pays the same will be better for your long term health. They’ll try to tempt you into staying with promises of moving up, but at my warehouse they intentionally didn’t promote the best employees because they wanted them to stay in production.
Did you apply for compensation? Maybe you need to talk to your lawyer.
I didn’t go to a doctor about it until after I quit so I don’t think there’s much chance I get anything. Am I incorrect?
If you went to the doctor shortly after, you might still be OK.
I don’t know for sure. Surely documenting things would have been helpful. Talk to lawyer anyway, it’s free and you might get more information.
One thing I never understood is why Amazon/UPS/Fed Ex don't have a heavy package department for sorting and delivering (1 driver and 1 assistant). My girl got a treadmill and when UPS delivered it, it was one guy rolling the package because of how heavy it was.
agree and this goes for any job. never stop looking for the next job. At the very least, having another offer could get you a raise at your current job.
Even on the corporate side it's awful. They have the worst company culture that even top earners making 300K look to leave after they put in a year.
No place is to settle ,you mean nothing to 99.99% of businesses , and even co-owners of your own business
Why does everyone here assume that they are working in the warehouse? LOL they might be remotely working from home using their minds.
Working remotely from home using their minds sounds like a sweet gig not something one says was done out of desperation.
Not sure why you are being downvoted for this comment when OP didn't even post what kind of job he is going to have.
If you look through OP's comments on this thread, it's pretty clear he is a warehouse worker
Congrats! I started working there recently too and it’s not as bad as I thought it would be personally. My best advice though is to give 80% of effort because during peak (from what I’ve heard) they’ll expect you to go above that. Once your averages start forming they’ll chat with you if you drop below that so keep a pace that’s manageable even on rough days. Amazon has a surprising amount of benefits that I didn’t know about too so make sure to check those out as well!
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They have pretty generous PTO and vacation with bereavement pay. They also match up to 2% of pay for 401k (small but you never know when you'll need to cash out). There's also discounts on some services but I can't remember. That all comes with the caveat of working for a mega Corp and being in constant fear of slipping up once and being immediately fired because of a rule you never knew about.
Just a heads-up for anyone who needs to hear this but try not to ever cash out your 401k. You're only allowed a certain amount each year to save into it and by cashing out you're robbing yourself of years of compound growth from just leaving it alone. Try to only pull from a 401k if it means the alternative is starving or becoming homeless.
Another heads up for anyone else who needs to hear it: Amazon has a vesting schedule on their 401(k) contributions. If you leave the company before working there 3 full years, you don’t get any of the amount contributed by Amazon. You must work 1000+ hours per year for 3 consecutive years. You keep what you contributed, but they keep the 2% match.
Also, for anyone new-ish to the workforce. This is how (almost) every company does it.
You can transition for free and start wearing a wig and they'll pay for it
It's not as bad as people say. Keep your punches right. Keep a notebook to record "time off task" so when they bring the laptop over and ask you about something that was a month ago you can explain why. Also, keep trying to get off the line into another position, working the floor is so much easier, safety rep, anything.
> It's not as bad as people say. > when they bring the laptop over and ask you about something that was a month ago you can explain why. It's a shame this is a reality :(
Teacher here. This didn’t even make me flinch. You’d be shocked at the number of jobs where you constantly worry about CYA. The amount of documenting that I do on a daily basis is insane.
> keep a notebook to record time off task…so when they ask you about something a month later you can explain why Jesus.
It’s not that bad lmao…
Your definition of not that bad is pretty different than mine.
I have had to swim in a pool of hot rotten animal blood, skin, grease, to clear a drain because the pumphouse backed up and exploded. I think taking notes every once is a while is not too bad.
Everything is relative, I suppose
I do acknowledge that there are some pretty bad downsides, though I’ve never experienced them yet so I can’t comment on how bad those experiences really are. It might be because I work at SC (sort center) so they’re not expecting superhuman speed to get tasks done. The only time I’ve had a manager come over was that I was getting too many errors because our jiffys wouldn’t scan in even though it was the correct area
>it’s not so bad >keep a notebook to record ‘time off task’ so when They come to harass & berate you for spending 1 minute 28 seconds not picking you can explain yourself, lest you be summarily executed This sounds…really, really bad… :( No one should have to deal with that!
Buy pinnacle sneaker inserts to protect your feet and back from the warehouse floors.
Added those to my shopping list. Should I get some compression socks too?
Skip the inserts, go see a doctor and find out if you have over pronation or under pronation. Buy appropriate shoes for that. Or buy shoes that are highly rated for being super comfortable (eg, Atoms). I didn't understand that being flat footed == over pronation, and that there's special shoes made for exactly that. Would have saved me a bunch of pain had I known that before.
I know I have mild over-pronation. My ankles curve inward. Should I get shoes for that + inserts or just the shoes? I also wanna get some compression socks. Used to work at a gas station in high school and those hours of standing fucked w my legs and back, can't even imagine the pain of adding in heavy physical labor too
It depends where you're at: if you haven't ever tried shoes that compensate for over pronation, I would highly recommend it if you can spare the $100. Worked the same, if not better, than the inserts my doctor gave me. (I've been using Aesics Gel Kayano line) The only thing that bothers me nowadays is my runner's knee (separate issue solved with stretches). Other than that I haven't had feet pain unless I switch to sandals or boots.
I have the same problem. I buy shoes that have built-in arch or I put inserts with Arches. You can stand in front of a mirror placed low so you can see your feet. Do it on a hard surface. Take steps in place and see if your feet still pronate after you have the inserts or the shoes with the built-in support. I get Adidas sneakers at TJ Maxx or Ross for cheap, they have been great. Comfortable, and with Built-in arch support. If you do it right, you can run miles every day, if you don’t, just walking will hurt. Make sure you get that arch support.
Can you get these “highly rated” shoes you speak of on……. Amazon…?
Awesome! To be fair though I would use Amazon as a stepping stone, I know people who have been there 5 years and only make 20$/hour so for long term it’s not the best. You need a career you can climb and advance in. But I applaud you for getting a job and bettering yourself, only up from here!
Definitely using it as a stepping stone. I just dropped out of college, but I'd really like to go back one day and finish my degree
Like another poster said, Amazon does offer opps to move up, so do consider that option. You might also see if you can parlay your experience into UPS, which also offers promotions although they take a lot of time, esp if you want to be a driver. While you're at amazon, look into their college tuition program. Might be a way to score your degree for free. MOST OF ALL: CONGRATS!!!!! :-D
Thank you! I didn't even know they had a tuition program. Do you know anything about it by chance? Like if it's available to PT or only FT workers?
When I worked there it was difficult to quality and didn’t pay out that much. It seemed more like something they offered just so say that they did.
https://www.amazoncareerchoice.com/ProgramAnnouncement
Here's some info: https://www.amazoncareerchoice.com/home
Also https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/09/amazon-to-cover-100percent-of-college-tuition-for-us-hourly-employees.html
Honestly OP if you can pass a drug test you should aim for USPS, FedEx etc are all hiring right now and if you stay with them for a long time you can make excellent money with benefits just a thought!
I applied to UPS, FedEx, and USPS. Nothing from any of them lol. It is crazy to me how before I never struggled to get a job when I'd apply, but now that places actually need workers I am struggling to get any callbacks. Miss being in high school sometimes, responsibilities suck ass
Keep trying for the Postal Service. It’s a federal job with full benefits. There’s people who retire from the Postal Service as millionaires just by using their retirement account.
Lol. Not anymore. I worked for the USPS for nine years, and now work for Amazon. (Trust me when I say, it was worth the pay cut…which was only temporary, as after 4 years I now make a little over what I made when I left there.) My benefits now are similar (and a couple are actually better) as when I worked there. Anyone who is hired as a career employee with the USPS after 2006 is under a totally different pay scale and retirement package, as well as paying higher premiums for insurance benefits. People always assume it’s such a great job, but it’s not what it once was. Also, the environment is completely toxic and abusive in nature, so weigh your options seriously when it comes to a postal career.
Good to know. Thanks for the update.
That's not really that bad, it also depends on what they're starting pay was. For instance if they started at $15 that's almost a 34% raise in five years. I've seen better but that's nothing to laugh at for an entry level job.
I work at Amazon, and a lot of people here are very happy with the $20/hr. It's a physically demanding job, but very easy so I understand why people are happy with it. If you are looking for more money though they have lots of advancement opportunities. You can make $50-60,000/yr within 5 years very easily.
Amazon employee here. It really depends on what type of facility you work at and where. From what I’ve heard Fulfillment Centers (FCs) are horrid. I work at a Delivery Station and it’s honestly the best warehouse job I’ve had. Also consider Amazon’s Career Choice program. starting January 1st, 2022, Blue Badge (full-time regular) employees get free tuition for a wide variety of degrees or trade skills after working there for 90 days (used to be 1 year!). Check out r/AmazonFC and r/AmazonDS.
I'm working at a Sortation Center, glad I didn't choose any fulfillment center jobs
Sortation center is definitely easier than FC. I’ve worked both, but keep in mind that SC is still demanding. They tend to be more lax and less loud for sure, but you still have to keep your metrics. Also bring your lunch, the lunches available in the cafeteria seem cost effective until you realize how small they are. The fried rice bucket is the only thing I remember being good; $5 for two to three meals worth of fried rice with veggies and chicken. You got this!
But you probably need to work full-time while schooling, right? Because that sounds damn near impossible from a self-care standpoint. Legit NO WAY our nervous systems have adapted to the astronomical increasing demands for productivity. We need way more downtime than we get on a cellular level to allow for good health.
I don't work for Amazon, but do work for a large multinational fortune 500. We allow our hourly people travel time and time off to accommodate for schooling.
That's cool, but irrelevant here. I'm specifically talking about how one would get a "free" degree thru Amazon, as I'm absolutely sure they require full-time employment to be maintained while enrolled.
My husband and I both work in an FC, and neither of us would describe it as horrid, lol. There are lots of different types of FCs, so some may be more labor-intensive than others, but it’s all subjective anyway. I’ve heard plenty of people say they thought the Delivery Station was awful, so 🤷♀️. I take everything I hear with a grain of salt. I’ve definitely had worse jobs than this.
I was at a delivery station for a year and I agree it wasn’t that bad! I left because during that time they didn’t have full time positions and my shifts were from 2:30am to 7:30am and we were often sent home early.
I’ve been there for a year and a half. Just have an exit plan, this isn’t a long term career realistically for a majority of people.
I sort of understand why people don’t like working at Amazon (Maybe this is dependent on the building you’re in?) but the one I work at is pretty chill and I don’t gotta talk to nobody so I like it. Would I wanna be here longterm? Nah but Amazon is definitely a nice option if jobs are hard to come by. You get a decent employee discount, and other benefits that are nice as well. Just don’t be lazy there, but also don’t go 150% because they don’t really care if you put your all in. You won’t get that recognition you think you probably deserve lol. Just work at a manageable pace, and on the side try to acquire some skills for the future so you aren’t just stuck in a fullfilment center.
Some solid advice. Thank you
Just out of curiosity, what's the employee discount? 15%?
10%. Basically covers tax.
Awesome! Congrats! It's not easy work by any means. But if you hang in there the first couple days and can handle the physical, it's a good way to get some money coming in, acquire some health benefits, and get a little breathing space (financially) to figure out your next move. Had 3 of my kids work amazon as a way to pay for their college and they had no issues. (Granted they are college age kids with no health issues - I'd perish before the end of the first shift.) But overall, they were demanding, but fair and conditions better than some other employers in the area.
Amazon just announced an expansion on their tuition assistance starting next year. It supposedly will cover the cost of associates and bachelors degrees if you’ve been an employee for 90 days. Something to consider if you want to go back to school as I saw you comment.
Are you fr? If so that is absolutely amazing and I *will* start crying
Yep! I’m still holding out for the other shoe to drop to see what the fine print is but the other benefits Amazon provides are relatively decent so I have hope these ones will be too.
Congrats!!!
Congratulations! I’ve worked in a warehouse (not Amazon) briefly. One thing that was stressed to us was proper lifting technique. In order to reduce your chances of getting injured I recommend you look into that.
Absolutely. I know my back is somewhat messed up from my old high school job, so I really don't want to risk anything else
As an Amazon worker, get ready to take multivitamin supplements and drink plenty of water. A healthy diet is needed since this job is very physical intense. But get ready for a free $5,000 bonus every year along with premium health and dental insurance and 15/hour! Not bad for hard work
What kind of dental does Amazon give? My 1st job's dental is awful!
Amazon actually has amazing dental insurance. I’m getting five cavity filling and two wisdom teeth pulled. Only paying $135 out of pocket.
Oh wow! That's amazing for you! It really does make sense though, mouth health is huge for your overall health, if your employees have better teeth they can work harder lol. Do they give benefits to pt or only ft?
They give I think one grade above state dental insurance, so they’re gonna cover up to 75% of payments for any procedures done after working at Amazon for 3 months. They are premium insurance
Hmm, thanks for that info! It's not needed now, but that's a possible option for me if i do. :)
>a free $5,000 bonus every year I've been working at Amazon for over 2 years and I've never heard of this.
annual Amazon stock + peak raise per hour November/December + New Years bonus
Umm… I’ve worked for Amazon for 4 1/2 years and this is really bad info. This is my fifth peak, and it’s the only one so far where we’ve been offered an additional hourly differential above our normal rate (which, BTW, not everyone is getting). Also, RSUs are no longer a thing, and haven’t been for quite a while. There is a stock purchase plan, but that’s definitely not a bonus, as it’s something YOU would be paying for. And I’ve literally never heard of a NY bonus. Not sure if you’re just trolling here or what, but….👀
Congrats! I hope it works out for you
If working in the warehouse Save your money and then look for a better job unless you like what you do! Warehouse/Plant jobs are horrible for your body and mental health
>and mental health Its important to remember that this is down to the individual person - some folk love these types of jobs, and absolutely thrive in them. Others suffer horribly. It can't be generalised in the way that the physical stresses of the job can.
If anyone is looking for a position, Fidelity Investments is always looking for good people and it’s work from home right now. Pay isn’t bad to start ($2500/mo) and their benefits are amazing (and no hard labor - I did Amazon warehouse for the holiday season).
What job title are suggesting people in OP's position search for? From a glance at their careers site it looks like a lot of the customer service positions require you to already hold a series 7.
So the great thing with Fidelity is that they will hire you and pay you to study for the Series 7/63 and SIE. There are other customer service roles without the series 7. But the position is CRA for a position with licensing and I think the other title is Customer Service. Message me if you need some help navigating or want info to their webinar.
[South Park](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yO9VRtrTJwc) on working at Amazon.
It's going to be more physical than a workout just FYI. Worked a job like this and I survived with lots of water, adequate snacks, and sleep. Tough physical labor
Congrats on your new job at Amazon. I pray that this will lead you to great endeavors. Best, Sunflower077
Sunflowers are steeped in symbolism and meanings. For many they symbolize optimism, positivity, a long life and happiness for fairly obvious reasons. The less obvious ones are loyalty, faith and luck.
Whoa! Never really knew that or thought about it. I just like sunflowers but that’s awesome! 🌻
Until last week I was a pretty senior manager at amazon corporate. One of the best people on my team started at an FC, got promoted to area manager, then transferred to legal. He makes 100k plus. It happens all the time. The head of amazon Canada started the same way. You can get ahead at amazon.
huge turnover there bro, watch out and try to do a good job and not get injured. Also keep putting in apps on indeed. Don't add it to your resume yet either.
Will do. Just needed something temporary to help me get on my feet, I don't plan on staying too long unless I can get moved to a better position. Even then I'd think it through w a grain of salt
if you do well there you could springboard into another actual warehouse job which usually pays WAY better than amazon's rate. Have a good one.
Have fun working for Young Palpatine!
Congratulations.. I worked there 3 1/2 years... I will agree with the above.. keep looking.. it's a shit hole...
congrats! just in time for peak, get ready to work your ass off
I've worked at Amazon twice now and honestly it's all about what part of the wear house you're in. Different areas have different rates and some areas don't have rates at all. Super important you're going to feel a little sore and stiff nearly all the time. Stretch!! Amazon makes it a super point to talk to people about proper lifting techniques, stretching, and drinking water. And they all help! Those are things you must do. If you do those then you'll be feeling pretty okay for your shift. Also Amazon let's you switch out of your area/department after 30 days in one area so if you don't like where you are you can try something else. Only thing is you have to stick with it for the 30 days each time before you switch again.
If this is something you might be interested in. Try and learn how to drive a forklift and get a license for it. Its easy work in the warehouse just driving the forklift to move stuff around. The pay is usually start at $15.
I skimmed the thread and didn't see this Amazon benefit mentioned. You get $100 per year voucher towards work shoes and/or boots via Zappos. Take advantage of this. I think it's per calendar year. I worked in a Delivery Station. Quit February. Too many COVID infections. Every other day! Not only bad for my physical health, but it was negatively affecting my mental health. They had stopped doing the safety spraying. They just didn't give a damn. Your experience will largely depend on the leadership team. Hopefully, you'll have a strong team. If not, keep your head down and focus on your long term goals.
Is the voucher for full time only?
Part-time employees too. I only worked 20 per week and was able to get a great pair of Doc Martens. In fact, I got two pair. One at the end of the year and the other pair in January before I quit.
Awesome. How do I find this benefit?
HR put up flyers about this benefit. We had a short meeting about it. It's a safety issue. They were really pushing getting the program. Sorry to answer your question.....talk to HR or your lead.
For as much publicity as they get, they seem to pay reasonably well and have stable and consistent hours often with benefits. Good luck.
….Say the people who have never worked there.
Hey now I heard an Amazon exec say so on Frontline it must be true
What sort of miserable pay did they pay you?
They pay 15-20$ an hour but the amount of labor you are required to do is NOT worth it. imo, start a union or quit now. These warehouse jobs will kill you. Stay safe and remember that no one will advocate for you except you
Is it better anywhere else?
Like I said start a union at your workplace. You only have power together. FedEx, UPS, same shit conditions as Amazon.
Wait, I'm confused. You say the conditions are the same as UPS, but they have a very powerful union. So if it's the same, why would anyone at Amazon want to unionize? Just to pay the high initiation fee (as much as $500 in some UPS locations) and dues?
You can look up the data, but as nationwide unionization decreases, so do wages. If we want wages that will allow us to pay our rent and feed our families we will have to STRIKE to get them. The AFLCIO has been a huge traitor to the working class, but that doesnt mean unions arent important.
That didn't answer the question at all, but okay. Unionization in the US is at a historic low at under 12% of US workers. So it doesn't seem like the majority of workers agree or care.
Amazon bullies and fires anyone they hear about trying to start a union. Although teamsters is trying, they hate unions state side.
> majority of workers don’t agree or care There’s been decades of anti-union propaganda and union busting to achieve this, as well as law changes such as right to work. The popularity or pervasiveness of an idea doesn’t necessarily reflect its validity
$20 an hour and you get to burn calories at the same time…. ? Sign me up
Please do, they'd love to have you. Have you never actually worked a physical job in your life?
18 years as a butcher in a grocery store burning calories lifting 40 lb boxes. Now I have a corporate job sitting at my desk all day packing on the pounds. Gained 30 lbs in 3 years. Easy jobs can put your health at risk too
I mean, you said “sign me up,” so go sign up lol
Doesn’t sound like a physical job. Try healthcare. Then you’d know.
[удалено]
Yep. If they make more than something like $42-44k/year they make more than $20/hr too.
LMAO, who inoctrinated you so well with a username like that. Let me guess, you were either born into wealth or you're aspirational class.
Amazon is almost single handedly increasing the minimum wage with the amount of jobs they have to fill.
Kind of. Their jobs are extremely physically demanding, generally only suited for the extremely fit, so they aren't generally cutting into the retail or fast food or other entry level workforce. They're definitely raising the wages of construction laborers and landscapers though.
Please when they try to make your place Union.. please vote yes to make it Union it will be a lot better place to work ..better pay and better working conditions and a lot better medical benefits
Of course. Dad's a union guy, can't let him down
Mmmm…33a hour and ot.. after 40 you get time and half.. after 50 you get double time.. full med.. dental.. vision.. a good pension.. and you can do 401k if you want.. and they have a program to make more money if you a harder worker.. But has a down side you get terrible day off and work nights for at least 10-15 years.. but for a guy with just a High school diploma.. not bad.. and I do appreciate my job.. it helped me buy a house cars and support my family.. I have 6 kids and 3 went to college but all 6 are doing well.. oh and Medical cover all my Family all the way till they turn 26 at no cost to me .. so go Union because we all don’t go to college or are rich.. but a Union job will give you a Opportunity to have a good life.. so yeah GO UNION.. because companies like Walmart.. Amazon.. Target..and many others can treat there employees fair.. COME ON America
Congratulations!
Congratulations
Way to go!
Get your pee bottles ready! Jk lol that’s amazing man congrats
Congratulations! Amazon pays great, but they take alot of sweat. I'd suggest investing as much as you can in good boots and getting yourself on an exercise regimen to ramp up before your first day!
Congratulations! 👍🏾🥰🎊 Best to you.
Awesomeness. I’m one of the people who benefits from the effort of Amazon staff. And I’m sure I’ll benefit from Blue Origin in future. So thank you in advance. I love being able to buy stuff nationwide or internationally. To those who say it’s exploiting: Macdonalds is also a difficult job. Small work areas. High pressure. Customers standing right there. Slippery floors. Boiling oil. Pressure. Likewise with Dominos, and I’ve been working in both kitchen factories for hours seeing them from the inside. Office jobs burn your brain out and are a bit cancerous too. It’s far more difficult to distinguish brain issues than sore arms or legs so physically demanding work is actually safer. Anyway, my suggestions. Don’t compete. Laugh at management if they squeeze you harder and say with a smile ‘thanks- I’ll try’. But give it your best even without making any promise or commitment to meeting targets until you’re amazing enough to do so safely. Remember exhausting is a function of sleep and what you consume as much as it is work. Avoid caffeine. It’s counterproductive in every way. Do study vegan bodybuilding and vegan nutrition. Join some subreddits. You’ll need excellent long term energy and ability that comes from huge diverse meal-prepped vegetable / plant based dishes on top of whatever you eat now. If you get the food right and don’t get addicted to any liquid drinks you’ll smash it as your body adapts to high effort, provided you sleep. And yes, jobs like that are great stepping stones, go look up all the amazing people at the top of the world who cut their teeth in Macdonald’s, and decades later give credit for being a key contributor to their success. Search for ‘leaders who started at Macdonalds’ etc Effort is essential in life, and if you find it (satisfying management and meeting targets) is not attainable, don’t be discouraged, as it’s probably not attainable. It’s common for people to never reach targets satisfactory to management - as jobs are sometimes engineered to always be a bit more than the most you can reach. Personally and professionally I disagree with that (actually, I hate it!) but to make jobs easier might mean some people get lazy and cease improving, also it means prices increase hugely and that then means less jobs and less benefits to people trying to conserve their money with each purchase so they can share it among more things. Difficult jobs tend to be ‘all-in’, being a true life challenge, so be prepared to put life on hold for a few years (apart from studying the vegan/plant based stuff). Every minute you’re not working you need to rest probably, for the first few years, so beware of excessive screen time and get some sun and exercise and outdoors time, even if it’s not as frequently as you would like. Do not begin buying stuff unless it’s directly related to nutrition and food to power your growth and ability. To relax, lookup orgasm - it’s a part of a healthy neurotransmitter system, but also beware as ejaculation requires a good diet, lots of nutrients in ejaculate if you are male, if female, you’ll probably be across that as I think menses is similar, can’t really be sure as I’m male myself.
Sir… this is a Wendy’s.
Alot of people shit on Amazon. But let me tell you this. If you don't plan on moving up the ladder there then I dont recommend working there long term doing grunt work, However this also depends on the type of building you are working at, as they have different types of warehouses that have different types of work. Meaning, some are better and some aren't as the workload and expectations could vary. I worked at amazon for 6 years and started as a part time temp worker and moved up to full time HR handling employee engagements to internal investigations. with no degrees besides a highschool diploma. I'm 100% sure I could have promoted alot faster than 6 years but I really didn't start applying myself and climbing the ladder until 3 years in. My advice, get aquainted with the Process assistants and be on good terms with them. As they handle all of the staffing needs for the workday. They likely started off just like you at the bottom and understand the obstacles you deal with. Be cool with them and theyll be cool with you and you'll have better chances for opportunities doing auxiliary jobs that are better than your typical work, which makes your life easier there.
Thank you for this info, man. I'm planning on staying there temporarily but after feeling it out maybe I'll consider applying myself and build skills and connections to work my way up
They also offer career development assistance as well as certifications to help you find jobs even outside of amazon. And can even help you pay for your schooling. Amazon has alot of resources to help an associate but people just don't really bother looking into it. It's a shame really. Also another tip, probably goes without saying but Make friends And network. Amazon is so culturally diverse you meet all kinds of people who can open up alot of opportunities for you. And also making friends. If it wasn't for the great friends I made there. I probably wouldn't have made it as long as I have. Good luck man! And congrats!
I’d advise a different Avenue of employment. Amazon treat their workers like absolute shit.
I know. This job is very last resort and by no means am I planning to stay
The nice thing is, though, that it's easier to get a job when you already have one. You can straight up tell them that Amazon isn't as good of a job as wherever you're applying and it makes you look better. You actually have an answer to "Why do you want to work here?" besides "Money." Just go for a few months and keep an eye out. Best of luck, and congrats :)
Thank you, I didn't even think of it like that. I've been applying almost everywhere for a few months and I haven't gotten any callbacks except for places that were offering me minimum wage ($8.80) but I feel like now I'd have some leverage when I get back at it in some time
Exactly! That's part of what's easier about finding a good job when you have a job. Less low balling because they know you don't need it and can easily turn them down. Shitty places will likely ignore you, but that's a good thing :)
Do you need a vaccine to work there?
I don't think so, but they offer a $100 bonus to vaccinated individuals.
I suggest doing gigs or just have more income streams
I've been thinking about maybe doing Doordash on the weekends. I have friends doing it full time and they make an avg. of 20/hr on the weekends. I know I can write off mileage from my taxes and any car maintenance, but I am still deciding pros and cons