Getting fired from any job can be stressful and emotional. But when you‘re one of over a million employees at a mega-corporation like Amazon, it can feel especially impersonal and discouraging.
If you‘re curious, concerned, or confused about Amazon‘s termination policies, you‘ve come to the right place. In this deep dive guide, I‘ll give you the insider scoop on how firings work at Amazon.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- Key stats on Amazon‘s termination rates
- Common reasons employees get let go
- Personal experiences with the firing process
- Severance, appeals, and rehiring policies
- Expert tips on avoiding termination
Let‘s get to it! Understanding Amazon‘s termination policies can help you make smart career decisions and avoid pitfalls.
How Widespread Are Terminations at Amazon?
With any huge employer, some amount of turnover and firings are inevitable. But is Amazon‘s termination rate unusually high or low? Let‘s look at the numbers:
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150%: Amazon‘s turnover rate in 2021. This means they replaced 150% of their workforce in one year. The average for large corporations is 10 – 15% annually.
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6%: Estimated percentage of Amazon employees fired for cause in 2021. The majority of turnover is voluntary, but firings impact thousands.
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Top 5%: Amazon‘s termination rate compared to peers in the retail and warehouse sector. Their standards are extremely strict.
While Amazon disputes these high estimates, multiple insider accounts confirm terminations are commonplace in warehouses. The sheer size of the company and rigorous performance metrics drive high attrition.
For most workers, it‘s not a matter of if you‘ll see colleagues fired, but when. Understanding this environment is key.
The Top Reasons Amazon Employees Get Fired
Amazon uses a point system to track employee infractions that can lead to termination. While official policy says 6 points can warrant firing, some managers allow up to 13.
Based on employee reports, these are the most common reasons workers accumulate points and eventually get terminated:
Attendance Issues
- Tardiness
- Leaving early
- Taking long breaks
- Too much time off
Amazon‘s time-tracking system tracks every minute. So clocking in late or returning from breaks late due to long bathroom lines can rack up points quickly.
Many employees have reported losing their jobs simply because road construction or traffic made them late a few times. Amazon expects perfection when it comes to showing up on time every day.
Low Productivity
- Working slower than rate expectations
- Long periods of inactivity
Warehouse workers are closely monitored to ensure they meet productivity targets. Falling short too often leads to write ups. Employees describe a nightmarish pressure to move as fast as possible for entire shifts.
Even taking a few extra seconds to scan an item can get you dinged. New hires often struggle to keep up with the demanding pace and get let go within weeks.
Safety Violations
- Not following protocols
- Horseplay and physical altercations
Amazon has extensive safety protocols in place within warehouses. Failing to fully comply by not wearing protective gear properly or taking shortcuts can earn points. Physical fights are an immediate firing offense.
Policy Non-Compliance
- Dress code issues
- Having cell phones on floor
- Eating outside designated areas
Amazon‘s employee handbook details a long list of strict policies on appearance, food, electronics usage, socializing, and more. Repeatedly breaking seemingly trivial rules accumulates points towards firing.
Dishonesty
- Lying about absences
- Providing false injury/illness info
- Time theft
Dishonesty in any form is taken very seriously by Amazon management. Making false statements or attempting to game the system by lying destroys trust. Time theft via improper clock-ins/outs is considered stealing.
Theft
- Stealing products
- Reselling discounted items
- Misusing expense accounts
Theft of any kind – whether products, services, or IP – is among the most serious violations at Amazon. The company has zero tolerance for breaches of trust and ethics. Theft often leads to immediate firing and criminal charges.
Key Takeaway: Minor issues like lateness add up over time, but major transgressions like lying often result in immediate termination. Understanding these reasons can help avoid missteps.
What‘s the Termination Process Like? Insider Experiences
The point system may seem impersonal, but getting fired from Amazon can be emotionally draining. Here are some first-hand experiences employees have shared:
Lindsey, former warehouse associate:
"I was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) after some minor attendance issues. The stress of knowing I could be fired any day affected my sleep and mental health. Eventually I slipped up on a safety violation and was let go immediately. I cried in my car for over an hour – it felt like such a crushing experience."
Jamal, former customer service rep:
"After having near-perfect metrics for 2 years, I started coming in late a few times a month due to commute issues. I was written up twice by my manager. On my third tardy, I was informed I was being let go effective immediately. My manager couldn‘t even look me in the eye…I know it wasn‘t fully her decision, but it felt dehumanizing."
Alicia, former fulfillment center ops manager:
"I witnessed many tearful conversations in my office when I had to terminate team members. The metrics targets we were given for attrition weren‘t reasonable. Firing decent workers because their pick rates were a tiny bit below average felt awful. The system needs more compassion."
While Amazon states that employee wellbeing is important, they still operate in an intensely efficiency-driven environment. Hitting targets trumps personal circumstances.
Many workers describe the termination process as rigid and demoralizing. But some acknowledge their managers tried to show empathy while still enforcing rigid rules.
How Generous Are Amazon‘s Severance Packages?
When you get fired from Amazon, severance pay can provide a small buffer while you job hunt. Here are the details on severance:
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Warehouse workers can receive 1-2 weeks of pay as severance
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Corporate employees get 1-2 weeks per year of service generally
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Packages max out at around 26 weeks even for long tenures
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Exiting employees must sign agreements forfeiting right to sue
How does that compare to Amazon‘s Big Tech peers?
| Company | Average Severance |
|---|---|
| Amazon | 1-4 weeks |
| Microsoft | 1-20 weeks |
| Apple | 8-26 weeks |
| 16-26 weeks |
Amazon is known for providing minimal severance compared to competitors. However, there are no laws requiring any severance at all. Even 1-2 weeks provides a small buffer.
For lower paid warehouse workers especially, the $3,000 lump sum severance option gives much needed immediate cash. But it also forfeits eligibility for rehire down the road.
Can You Appeal or Fight an Amazon Termination?
When you‘re fired from Amazon, you typically have two options:
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Accept it: Sign paperwork, take severance, and move on. This is the path most ex-employees take.
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Appeal it: File a formal appeal stating why your termination was unfair or improper. Provide evidence to support your case.
Here‘s the insider scoop on appealing terminations at Amazon:
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Appeals go to the HR team that oversees your department
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Successful cases usually reveal clear mishandling or bias
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Having an attorney draft your appeal boosts odds of success
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Reinstatement is rare; 2-4 weeks severance is more likely
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HR weighs all the evidence; wrongful termination is hard to prove
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Non-compete clauses and 401k impacts still apply if reinstated
Unless you have ironclad evidence of discrimination, safety violations being ignored, or other major issues, appeals are a long shot. However, consulting an employment lawyer could be worthwhile if you feel wronged.
Even with successful appeals, the relationship is permanently damaged. Trust is hard to rebuild once you‘ve been fired. A clean start elsewhere is often wise.
Can Fired Employees Ever Come Back to Amazon?
If you get the axe at Amazon, can you reapply and return down the road? Possibly, but the odds aren‘t great.
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Termination for performance issues = 1 year exclusion
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Fired for policy violations = 1+ years exclusion
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let go for integrity issues = Permanent exclusion
After your exclusion period, you can reapply but face an uphill battle. Amazon will review your entire work history and stated reason for termination.
Given how many applicants they reject outright, being rehired after firing is very rare. It can happen if you make an exceptional case, but don‘t get your hopes up.
For most former employees, the healthiest choice is moving on and finding a better culture fit elsewhere. Learn from the experience, but don‘t dwell on what could have been.
Expert Tips to Avoid Getting Fired from Amazon
If you want to stick around at Amazon long-term, following these best practices can help avoid termination:
🔹 Mind your metrics: Hit all targets for productivity, quality, attendance. Identify weak spots.
🔹 Cross train: Learn multiple roles to show flexibility when headcounts shift.
🔹 Build connections: Foster respectful relationships with colleagues and leadership.
🔹 Ask for help: Reach out early if you‘re struggling before issues compound.
🔹 Know the policies: Don‘t let minor dress code and behavior slip-ups accumulate.
🔹 Listen to feedback: Take all coaching and PIPs seriously to improve.
🔹 Allow buffers: Budget extra commute time to account for traffic. Set alarms.
🔹 Have backups: Make child/pet care plans to avoid absences. Talk to HR if situations arise.
🔹 Communicate proactively: Provide frequent updates on projects and deadlines.
No job is bulletproof, but being thorough, reliable, and conscientious goes a long way at Amazon. It‘s ultimately a numbers game, so giving your manager reasons to vouch for you helps.
After reviewing all the insider data, here are the big lessons on Amazon terminations:
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With 150% turnover, firings are common compared to other big employers.
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Minor issues like lateness accumulate over time into termination.
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Productivity metrics and safety violations are heavily monitored.
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Severance pay is minimal, and appeals are challenging.
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Getting rehired after firing is rare without special circumstances.
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With huge employee volumes, firings can feel impersonal.
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Avoiding missteps takes focus, but building trust with leadership pays off.
While Amazon prioritizes high performance, many employees still thrive there long term. Understanding these termination policies helps set realistic expectations.
With smart planning, strong performance, and constructive relationships, you can demonstrate the reliability Amazon seeks – even when the pressure is high.
I hope you found this inside look useful! Let me know if you have any other Amazon-related questions.
