Taro Logo

Ethics and work environment

Software Development Engineer
Current Employee
Has worked at Amazon for 4 years
September 27, 2018
Cape Town, South Africa
1.0
Doesn't RecommendPositive OutlookDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

The large-scale technical products.

Cons

Handling of sexual harassment is unethically poor, involving victim blaming and putting employees who report in danger, forcing a lack of anonymity. Sexual harassment is often buried and is preferred to be dealt with informally and off the record.

Managers are given absolute authority with regards to performance evaluation, even on unverifiable claims, and can abuse this to entirely sabotage someone's career in two steps over a few months. This has been directly used as a tool of manipulation. The process to report such abuse does not protect the victim and antagonizes the abuser, who still remains in absolute control.

Culture is broadly sexist. Good luck getting a word in, let alone one that is considered, in a technical discussion, ladies.

Casual South African racism is just as entrenched in Amazon's local culture.

While there is a weak push to not spread bro culture, it is no less of a boy's club.

Advice to Management

You have an ethical obligation to fix damaging, and especially biased, processes around you. If you find yourself in absolute, unchecked control of another human being, fix it. Speak up.

Was this helpful?

Amazon Interview Experiences