Well where Fred lives, they are the same any other employer. There is a minimum wage, legally binding meal breaks and statutory rights. My youngest has a job in one of their places, working 4.00pm till midnight, which suits him whilst the writing up phase of his PhD (funding stops after research phase) takes up his day time. He is picking and packing, and started on minimum wage although after three months he did get a small increment increase. Many of his colleagues previously moved between jobs and around where he is, Amazon is seen as one of the better, less exploiting employers. Their attrition rate is rather low. He compares it with the view he used to hear when he was working at Liverpool University. Now the Google tax has made it less attractive to base abroad, the main reason to hold Amazon in low regard has disappeared. Me? I reckon everything other than food, wine and clothes I probably either buy from Amazon or at least see if they sell it. The convenience, choice, reviews etc make it a bit of a no brainer. Here, sat on the train this morning I have bought Xmas presents for six members of my family. They will be gift wrapped and delivered to them. So much easier than a few years ago. That said, like most multinational companies, they tailor to the market. I wouldn't be surprised if their attitude towards their workforce varies, as with other companies. Picking on one as an example is a good way to raise awareness. Picking on one per se however smacks of other less clear motives. A friend forwarded a photo recently of someone wearing a tabard saying "Socialist Worker's Party" stood raising awareness for postal workers. Behind him on an advertising board was an Amazon advert. The reason the photo was doing the rounds was pointing out that it is the likes of Amazon who saved the post office system in the first place!
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