Now We Know Why Things Are So Cheap At Amazon

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25034598

This is why I won't shop at Amazon. Its little better than slave labour. No unions as well, so nothing to stop Amazon getting away with this. Watch Panorama tonight.

[sherrardk]

I'm watching it now. Basically they have a target to meet (based on the past performance of employees). If they consistently fail to meet those targets the 'sacking' process takes up to 5/6 weeks to actually being sacked. Most of the people who are moaning about having worked there don't look like they have a day's work in them. They are very hot on lateness and sick leave. The secret filmer is moaning that they are not allowed to think for themselves - but that wouldn't be efficient, so I think he is missing the point. The secret filmer has complained about his blisters and they have moved him to a job with less walking involved. Ok, the bloke is tired, but I expect most manual workers who are doing their jobs properly go hime tired. They are drawing comparisons with a one-man band shop/on-line delivery shop and he is quite a bit more expensive. People can't afford to keep inefficient businesses afloat.

[pixie373]

Exactly, sherr.

[mikey4444]

sherrardk...one of the main reasons that Amazon is still "afloat" is, despite a multi-million pound turnover, they pay little, if any corporation tax. The ordinary High St shop doesn't have the ability to evade tax...Amazon does. Nor do High St shops get paid, or rather bribed, by local Councils to open their shops in the first place, unlike Amazon. Not really a level playing field is it ?

[ummmm]

You've moved the goal posts, Mikey.

[sherrardk]

Not a level playing field, no. However, big businesses like Amazon play the system (and they are not the only businesses or individuals that do so) and bring lots of jobs to areas that need them. I am not in the business of paying to keep people's dreams afloat such as the independent book shop owner who was bumbling around with his two hapless assistants. If you want, and can afford, to pay 30% more than Amazon charges then it's your money to do with what ever you wish. Some of us live in the real world which might not be palatable but is one in which we can also afford to buy stuff. In relation to the slave labour botox, it was a slight look at a physically demanding job, lots of jobs are demanding. It's was just another excuse to knock Amazon (not saying they are in the right, but they are providing what the customer wants at a price they can afford).

[mikey4444]

ummmm...not at all...rerun the Panorama program for details. Amazon have bribed their way into Britain. They don't pay enough corporation tax...how can that be right ?

[bednobs]

i suppose mikey, you were saying earlier that we should watch the program to get the facts. I am not going to watch the program, so i was wondering if there had been any other "shocking" revelations that might make me change my mind during the prog

[bednobs]

but that is not the thrust of your question, which is about the working conditions

[ummmm]

It's not right, mikey, not at all, but that wasn't your question. You started off talking about working conditions. What do you think of the working conditions now you've watched the programme? Is it slave labour or just hard work?

[mikey4444]

Bednobs...I always find the best way to make my mind up about an issue is to learn the facts. Its rather late to give a verbatim report on Panorama...it will still be there in the morning though.

[sherrardk]

You have moved the goal posts, your original post was about salve labour (or 'doing the job you applied for' as I would prefer to call it). You have now turned it around to the corporation tax angle. I thought you lived in South Wales - would have thought you would welcome the opportunity of jobs for people in the area.

[bednobs]

hello, am i using invisible ink?
i am not going to watch the program.
I am interested in ummmms question

[bednobs]

or am i to presume that your evasion means that there were no other revelations regarding how amazon treat their staff in south wales?

[RATTER15]

From what I saw of the program I found the working conditions hard but acceptable, no I wouldn't want to work there or at any other warehouse.

[sherrardk]

Bednobs, it was a really dull programme about people being made to work for the money they are paid. It showed a highly efficient business providing goods that people want at a price they want to pay. Thirty minutes if my life that I won't get back.

[mikey4444]

ummm...after watching the program it would seem to me that it is very hard work indeed. Not in itself a cause for concern perhaps but they seem to be imposing nigh near impossible conditions of employment. The program made it clear that Amazon were very selective in the info that it was prepared to give out to the media. For instance it refused to say how many of its non-permanent staff are dismissed. Most of its workers are not employed directly by Amazon. Anecdotal evidence here in Swansea is that the attrition rate is high. Also, because they refuse to allow a Trade Union presence in their warehouses, there is no safeguard in place to ensure to workers are not bullied and mistreated.

[bednobs]

it is surely counter-productive to set too high targets for your staff then sack them if they don't meet them? you eventually run out of staff, surely?

[mikey4444]

Bednobs...continue to make your mind up without listening to the facts if you so wish...that is your prerogative.

[sherrardk]

Mikey - you have moved the goal posts again, now you are inferring that staff are mistreated and bullied! Surely if they are running around like blue arsed flies there's no time for bullying.

Bednobs - the targets are probably high but incentivising, they don't get immediately sacked if they fail to meet them, although the programme didn't meant what the tolerance was before sanctions would be implemented.

[ummmm]

Well like I said earlier in the thread my OH works outside 6 days a week doing a physical job no matter what the weather. I have little sympathy for the workers of Amazon. No union where he works either...