If you are an Amazon employee, do not get too comfortable. The online retail giant has a notoriously strict termination policy, and it is not afraid to use it. If you make one mistake, no matter how small, you could be out of a job.
So, if you are working for the retail giant, you really do need to know all about the Amazon Termination Policy!
Contents
- What Is A Termination Policy?
- The Amazon Termination Policy
- The Amazon Point System
- What Is The Appeal Process?
- Can You Get Unemployment Benefits If You Are Fired Without A Clause?
- What Happens After You Are Fired?
- Is There A Way To Avoid Getting Fired?
- Is Amazon Known For Hiring And Firing?
- More On Working For Amazon
- Amazon Termination Policy – Final Thoughts?
What Is A Termination Policy?
A termination policy is a set of guidelines that an employer uses to determine when and how to dismiss an employee. The policy should be clear and concise so that there is no confusion about what is expected of employees.
The Amazon Termination Policy
This policy was created to protect the company from liability. It is also used to ensure that employees work to an elevated level and keep up with the retail giant’s lofty expectations.
Four main reasons why an employee may be terminated instantaneously:
- Performance-related issues.
- Attendance-related issues.
- Violation of company policy.
- Criminal activity.
If a member of staff is not meeting the company’s expectations in terms of performance, they may be subject to termination. Amazon is known for setting ambitious standards for its employees, so you must always meet or exceed the expectations set for you.
As an employee, you are expected to be punctual and present for all of your shifts. If you are frequently late or absent, you may be at risk of being terminated.
Violation of company policy
You can be fired if you violate any of the company policies. When you sign a contract with Amazon, you agree to follow these protocols, so any deviation from them will not go down very well! It is important that you are familiar with the company’s policies and that you follow them at all times.
Criminal activity
If an employee commits any type of criminal activity, they will be subject to immediate termination. Amazon will not tolerate any type of criminal activity, no matter how minor.
The Amazon Point System
Interestingly Amazon uses a point system to track employee performance. If an employee accumulates too many points, they may be subject to termination. The point system is designed to ensure that personnel are meeting the company’s standards. If an employee gains six points within six months, they may be subject to termination.
On top of the issues mentioned, points are also given for:
- Poor customer service.
- Repeated mistakes.
- Unsatisfactory work quality.
- Not meeting sales goals.
- Inappropriate behavior.
- Wearing restricted make-up.
- Drinking beverages on shift.
What Is The Appeal Process?
Luckily if you are unfortunately terminated from Amazon, you do have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process is as follows:
- Submit a written request for an appeal within five business days of the termination.
- A panel of three senior managers will review the case and make a decision.
- The decision of the panel is final.
So, despite things appearing bad, you do have a chance to get your job back!
Pivot Course
Alternatively, employees are not always fired when they make a mistake. Sometimes, Amazon will offer employees the chance to attend a pivot course. This is typically done when an employee violates a company policy, but the company does not want to fire them. The employee will be allowed to improve their behavior or performance before being terminated.
The course typically lasts for 60 days, and if the member of staff is successful, they will be able to keep their job. But if the member of staff is unsuccessful, they may be subject to termination.
Severance Pay
Amazon has quite a generous severance package. Employees are offered $5000 as well as three months of health insurance. However, to be eligible for severance pay, you must have worked for Amazon for at least two years. If you accept the severance package, you will not be able to appeal your firing nor work for the company again in the future.
Involuntary Termination
In some cases, an employee may be involuntarily terminated. This usually happens when a worker is let go due to company restructuring or downsizing. In these cases, the member of staff is not allowed to appeal their termination.
Can You Get Unemployment Benefits If You Are Fired Without A Clause?
It is possible! If you are fired without cause, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. However, to collect unemployment benefits, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have lost your job through no fault of your own.
- Be able and willing to work.
- You must meet your state’s eligibility requirements.
- Be actively looking for work.
If you are fired for cause, you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits.
What Happens After You Are Fired?
Sometimes a company just does not fit with you. Maybe the job was not what you thought it would be, or maybe you just do not have a good relationship with your co-workers. Whatever the reason, getting fired can be a blessing in disguise. It can be an opportunity to find a job that is a better fit for you.
When you get terminated at Amazon, you will be given an exit interview. This is an opportunity for you to give feedback about your experience at the company. It is important to be honest but also to maintain a positive attitude. You will receive a termination letter, and you may also be eligible for the unemployment benefits mentioned above.
There are a few things that you should do after you are fired:
- Get a copy of your personnel file.
- Request a letter of recommendation.
- Collect unemployment benefits if you are eligible.
- Update your resume.
- Start job hunting!
Is There A Way To Avoid Getting Fired?
Unbelievably the best way to avoid getting fired is… to do your job well! If you are meeting the company’s expectations and standards, you are less likely to be fired. Of course, there are other things that you can do to avoid being fired, such as:
- Being punctual, including when taking your breaks.
- Dressing appropriately.
- Following company policy.
- Communicating effectively.
- Providing excellent customer service.
- Staying calm under pressure.
- Being a team player.
Keeping a good relationship with your manager is key; if you are having any issues at work, you should talk to them about it before the issues can be escalated.
Is Amazon Known For Hiring And Firing?
No, they are not a company that hires and fires. While it is true that some employees are let go each year, this is typically due to company restructuring or downsizing. In most cases, members of staff are allowed to attend a course or improve their performance before being terminated.
If a member of staff does not meet the company’s expectations, they may be put on a performance improvement plan. If the employee is unsuccessful, they may be subject to termination.
A severance package is possible…
However, even in these cases, employees are typically given a severance package. So, if you are thinking about working for Amazon, do not let the fear of being fired deter you. Just be sure to do your best, and you should be simply fine!
More On Working For Amazon
If your heart is set on working for Amazon, then let’s start with my How To Get A Job At Amazon, along with my Amazon Application; and once you’ve applied, check out What Does Amazon Jobs Application Under Construction Mean. If you have a criminal record, then please check Does Amazon Hire Felons, before moving forward.
Do you love writing and looking to make money using Amazon? If so, I highly recommend taking a look at 5 Secret Strategies of Kindle Publishing: Earn Passive Income with Non-fiction Books, as well as SHORT BOOKS, BIG MONEY: How to Make a Living Writing Short Books and Publishing It on Amazon Even If You’re Not a Writer.
We also found the Kindle Publishing: A Clear Guide to Making Your Own Books and Self-Publishing on Amazon: Simple Steps to Making Money Online for Beginners from Start to Finish, and HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH YOUR BOOK: Step-by-Step Guide, all available online in 2023.
Amazon Termination Policy – Final Thoughts?
Getting fired can be a stressful and difficult experience. However, it is important to remember that it is not the end of the world.
In many cases, getting fired can be a blessing in disguise. It can be an opportunity to find a job that is a better fit for you. Amazon’s policy for termination is relatively fair and provides employees with the opportunity to improve their performance or find a different role within the company.
So, just set your morning alarm extra early and do your job to the best of your abilities, and you should have no issues with termination!
All the very best with your new job at Amazon!
I was told on THE day I should appeal, but I was so upset I assumed there’d be form emailed with my termination letter. So if that’s what I still want, I wouldn’t know how to send it and where.
This might be true for some amazon buildings but not all cmh3 goes by their own rules. They do not give you a chance to appeal.
We just had an employee get terminated without coachings, without write ups, and it was all because his trainer didn’t actually train him properly, and was either flirting with a coworker or on his phone. The associate never got the interview to leave, never got the sit down in person with HR and management like they’re supposed to, and was verbally told he couldn’t appeal but gets an appeal email nine days after termination. He had been looking to move to a new site and the manager talked him into staying right before he gets put on a paid leave and terminated.
So I was recently terminated for reporting someone else to HR for basically threatening me while standing 10ft behind me with my back turned towards them. Another associate witnessed this action and told me about which of course like I said I knew nothing about it because my back was toward the individual. But yet because I said ,” if she try me off Amazon premises I will beat her tail” I got fired because they considered that to be a threat!! How is this a threat?? When I was on accommodations for my knee and couldn’t walk no more than 2hrs a day and I only went to the bathroom, HR, AmCare (if needed), the breakroom and to my car! She came into my area of work. I did not approach her at all!! How is this fair???
I am needing help with my appeal case . The building I was for did me so wrong . Please give me a call
If you are working for Amazon anywhere that they count productivity, I suggest anytime while in pack where there is Long period of time like 10 when it says shipment loading and there isn’t anything to pack you take pictures of your monitor because on Wednesdays is when they count productivity, if you have a station that the printer that prints recipe for your shipment don’t work let your supervisor know to move you to another station right away because the time it takes to walk back and forth to problem solve there goes your productivity or don’t spend a lot of time looking for missing shipments, another way to speed up your productivity scan your item first and then the spoof before u package the items it will save time, just remember we are not robots we are people, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger to live longer.
There are other ways of being fired or get in trouble at Amazon. That is to be subject of being bullied by a coworker. If a coworker doesn’t like you, envious of you, prejudice of you, or wants your position, that coworker can accuse you of something that would get you fired. One example is when confronting that person, he or she would run off as if he or she is threatened physically which not the case. That person runs and tell HR and you are penalized for that. (And, when you complain, he or she doesn’t get turned in.) Retaliation is another way of getting in trouble. When a decision is in your favor by a supervisor, the other person can retaliate by getting your fired (and fired instead of disciplinary action). And when you appeal to Amazon, it gets denied and you’re out of work. No pivot course. No exit interview. Nothing! You’ve looked out for a company, but the company didn’t look out for you. And your fellow employees suffer because of your contributions and sacrifices you made are gone.
Some of this happened to me. All companies should have policies against bullying and retaliation in the workplace. I was bullied twice and HR, corporate HR, the CEO, the ethics board, did not help.