Amazon

Flexible work schedule. Ability to work remote.

I am writing this review to shed light on the abhorrent practices and complete lack of consideration for employees at AWS.

This company has created a toxic and demoralizing work environment where individuals are treated as disposable commodities rather than valuable human beings. THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU. YOU MEAN NOTHING TO THEM.

They are a tight-knit group of extremely pretentious humans, and if you don’t fit in their “mold” of what they think you should be, they will be absolutely miserable to you until you quit.

• Coming from the NatSec division, this experience was far from what I would have expected. From the moment I started working in the "field" with AWS, it was clear that employees were nothing more than cogs in a soulless machine. The management's disregard for the well-being of their employees was evident in every aspect of the company's operations.
• There was an utter lack of empathy, compassion, and basic human decency exhibited by those in positions of power.
• One of the most disturbing aspects of working at AWS was the complete absence of respect for employees' value and contributions. It seemed as though management saw us as mere replaceable entities, where you can be easily discarded when no longer deemed useful. This created an atmosphere of insecurity and fear, with employees constantly feeling undervalued and underappreciated.
• I watched people leave the company every day whom also shared the same feelings of fear, insecurity, and being undervalued. Highly cleared individuals that left incredible jobs for a glorified opportunity at AWS.
• Furthermore, the behavior of the managers was nothing short of deplorable. Instead of providing guidance, support, and constructive criticism, they engaged in private shaming and gossiping about their subordinates to their peers in front of other subordinates. This toxic behavior created a culture of mistrust and humiliation, eroding any semblance of teamwork, professional growth, or inclusion.
• The overall lack of consideration for employees' well-being was evident in the wake of unreasonable demands and a complete disregard for personal boundaries. AWS management and Account Managers consistently demonstrated a callous disregard for the physical and mental health of their workforce, pushing them to the brink of exhaustion and burnout. I too, was one of those people. Being broken down into feeling like the lowest life form in this profession, I was forced to choose my mental health over my career and resign.
• Additionally, the company's communication practices were abysmal. You have to fight to be included in conversations and decisions, which leaves employees feeling voiceless and powerless. The lack of effective communication channels further exacerbated the already toxic work environment, leading to confusion and a breakdown in trust. It is disheartening to witness an organization with such little regard for the very people who contribute to its success.
• The negative impact on morale and productivity is undeniable, as talented individuals are forced to endure a soul-crushing work environment that stifles creativity and growth. I strongly advise anyone considering employment with AWS to proceed with extreme caution. Unless you enjoy being treated as an expendable resource, undervalued, and subjected to the whims of unscrupulous managers, this company should be avoided at all costs.
• AWS harps on "Leadership Principals," but managers and Account Managers will weaponize them against you at every opportunity to make themselves look and feel more "Amazonian" or more intelligent than you. They are cutthroat and backstabbing at every opportunity. There are serious superiority complexes amongst management.

It is my hope that by sharing this honest review and brief (seriously... this is brief) recount of the past 9 months of my life, that potential job seekers will be spared the anguish and misery that comes from being a "part" of this organization.

The feeling of relief that I was able to experience once resigning from this organization was nothing short of euphoric.

Please don't let this company take away what makes you who you are, and mold you into one of their mindless Amazonian robots. Save your dignity and work for a company that cares about their employees more than their revenue.

Treat your employees with dignity and respect. As a former employee who wishes to see employees at this company thrive, I offer the following advice in the hopes of rectifying these issues and fostering a healthy and productive workplace.

Cultivate a culture of respect and appreciation. It is crucial to establish a culture that values and appreciates the contributions of every employee. Show genuine respect for their skills, efforts, and ideas. Encourage open dialogue and feedback, making employees feel heard and valued. Recognize and reward their achievements, both big and small.

Lead by example. Management should always lead by example in every aspect of their behavior. Display professionalism, integrity, and empathy in all interactions. Treat employees with fairness, consistency, and kindness. Establish clear expectations and provide the necessary tools and support for success. Sharing hundreds of links to "figure it out" is not providing tools for success; it is overwhelming, vague, and arbitrary, which leads to confusion and frustration, and feelings of being on your own with no support.

Foster effective communication. Establish open lines of communication throughout the organization. Encourage regular team meetings, one-on-one discussions, and feedback sessions. Create channels for employees to voice their concerns, suggestions, and ideas without fear of retribution. Respond professionally and without weaponizing Leadership Principles or belittling employees.

Provide positive opportunities for growth and development. Offer one-on-one training opportunities, group training opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement prospects. Recognize and utilize the diverse skills and talents within your team.

Acknowledge and respect the importance of the well-being and productivity of your employees. Set reasonable workloads and deadlines. When an employee asks for opportunities to be engaged, do not retaliate with punishment by delegating tasks with objectives that have unrealistic deadlines and unrealistic demands, especially when the employees are new and need time to learn new skills. Support initiatives that promote mental and physical well-being.

Address conflict and grievances fairly. Establish a fair and impartial system for resolving issues. Provide confidential channels for employees to report concerns and ensure that they are investigated thoroughly and without bias.

Get rid of the "boys club" mentality. It's common for friendships to be formed between managers, but realize that this fraternization causes unfair treatment of employees who have grievances with one of the managers. I personally experienced this firsthand, as my concerns were immediately dismissed because my manager and my skip-level were friends, and regardless of what my grievance was, there was no possibility of resolution. I was ganged up on and my grievances were dismissed.

Promote collaboration and teamwork. Encourage a collaborative work environment where teamwork and cooperation are valued. Foster a sense of unity and shared goals among employees. Establish goals and celebrate achievements as a team.

Embrace diversity and inclusion. Embrace diversity in all its forms and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. Challenge biases and actively promote a culture of respect, equality, and acceptance.

Recognize that the management approach should always be evolving and improving. Embrace change and be open to new ideas. Regularly assess management practices, identify areas for improvement, and take proactive steps to implement positive changes.

AWS really needs to make changes from the inside and seriously change its culture. Rebuild trust, boost morale, and create a workplace that nurtures the talent and potential of all employees within the organization.

The AWS interview and onboarding process is daunting. Employees work so hard to make it in. The level of disappointment and emotional turmoil employees experience throughout this process shows that we are invested in the company and our careers. Please show employees some respect for being their own authentic self and as a professional in the industry.

A strong and supportive management team is the foundation for a successful and thriving company.