Career choices

[Tom MacDonald]

I've worked for ups for a few years now and I've always had the intention of becoming a pc driver due to high compensation with no college experience. However, since I'm only able to work part time for now due to a disqualification I've had to pick up part time hours at a local Amazon sort facility. I've worked there for 6 months and there are quite a few differences in company culture.

-Amazon supplies mandatory work gloves by body guard to all employees.

-Amazon has an on staff nurse with associates trained in first aid in department called "Amcare". (I was escorted there one day after complaining about knee pain and they actually wrapped my knees for me)

-You are allotted 20 hours personal time every three months to take off work, no questions asked. Run negative balance and you are terminated though so it is up to you to manage it.

-I believe all facilities are climate controlled, mine is for sure.

- if you cannot do a certain job for any reason you are allowed to say no and be reassigned somewhere that works better for you.


These are just a few things off the top of my head, to really put things into perspective for you though I would receive a write up if any manager saw me lifting a package with a "heavy" or "team lift" sticker on the package.

I'm tossing the idea around in my head of going full time at Amazon, going to school on their dime, and getting promoted from within the company with a degree. I guess the reason why I'm posting this is to get your thoughts. I've posted here about being a driver a few times and most of you seemed like you wish you took another career path, well maybe here's my opportunity to switch mine? What do you guys think?

 

[Mr. Sir]

full time at amazon ain't that bad. four 10 hour work days with optional extra 10-20 hour overtime days from time to time.

 

[WorknLateHuh]

at least at amazon you dont have to worry about getting a "green overtime light" appearing

 

[MC4YOU2]

I'd recommended finding out about family insurance for when you'll need that, dental, optical and legal too. Pension and or 401K would be the other major factors.

Some of their stuff sounds pretty good. I like the 80 hours of annual personal time, but if it tops out there, that's another thing.

 

[Rick Ross]

You forgot to write Amazon puts managers or security (don't know which) in the parking lot to make sure you all can walk in safely. UPS must not care about our safety...They make me walk through the parking lot without help or supervision.

As to your other points, what would happen if everyone said they couldn't perform a job? Is the 20 hours paid time off or just the number they day you can miss?

What does full-time at Amazon pay now and say 10 years down the road?

 

[Mr. Sir]

best thing is u don't have to give ur sup a heads up. don't wana work tomoorow? just request off at the time clock before you go home lol

 

[Tom MacDonald]

I'd recommended finding out about family insurance for when you'll need that, dental, optical and legal too. Pension and or 401K would be the other major factors.

Some of their stuff sounds pretty good. I like the 80 hours of annual personal time, but if it tops out there, that's another thing.

I'm not sure on any of this but my roomie who works full time pays 20 dollars a month for health insurance with a zero doctor co pay. So I'm assuming it's similar, also the 80 hours is for part time associates limited to 6 shifts that can only last up to 5 hours each

 

[Mr. Sir]

yeah.....how do u plan to survive full time peak at amazon and peak at ups? Amazon alone typically have mandatory 60-70 hour work weeks during peak

 

[Tom MacDonald]

You forgot to write Amazon puts managers or security (don't know which) in the parking lot to make sure you all can walk in safely. UPS must not care about our safety...They make me walk through the parking lot without help or supervision.

As to your other points, what would happen if everyone said they couldn't perform a job? Is the 20 hours paid time off or just the number they day you can miss?

What does full-time at Amazon pay now and say 10 years down the road?

I haven't come across a job at Amazon that is as demanding as even the least demanding job at ups, so I don't think everyone is going to opt out of a job. For example my shoulder wad really bothering me in day and they pulled me from wrapping pallets with their plastic wrap and put me on scanning. Nothing is really physically demanding, they just want you to stay on task.

 

[BrownInTx]

Sounds weak. I bet the pay matches it.

 

[Tom MacDonald]

Sounds weak. I bet the pay matches it.

I'm actually paid 50 cents more currently than I am at ups, but this is besides the point as my goal would be to go to school on their dime and get promoted making the better pay without having to get a hip replacement. Also I would feel better as a person working for a company that didn't abuse people and treat them like a sack of meat.

 

[Mr. Sir]

again...how do u plan on dealing with peak at amazon and ups at the same time?

 

[km3]

again...how do u plan on dealing with peak at amazon and ups at the same time?

It looks like he was able to manage this time around. Wouldn't imagine next peak would be much different.

I've had to pick up part time hours at a local Amazon sort facility. I've worked there for 6 months and there are quite a few differences in company culture.

 

[Mr. Sir]

you could always be a Tech at an amazon facility, basically get $30 an hour to make sure the belts and robots are functional lol

 

[Tom MacDonald]

It looks like he was able to manage this time around. Wouldn't imagine next peak would be much different.

70 hour work weeks lol. It helps living 5 minutes away from both jobs.

Also, when you work ups during peak you're suddenly working a full time job, while at Amazon although you can work as much as you'd like, but your shifts can only last 5 hours instead of 4.

 

[Rick Ross]

If you are getting beat up working part-time at UPS you will never make it as a driver. It sounds like you want to get a degree which IMO is a good thing. Take whatever job helps you get that degree ASAP and don't look back!

 

[watdaflock?]

Also I would feel better as a person working for a company that didn't abuse people and treat them like a sack of meat.

Good luck with that.

 

[Tom MacDonald]

Good luck with that.

But I've had really good luck, I know your cynicism and I understand it... But Amazon really does seem to half way care. I mean they have an over the counter medication dispenser available to all employees that includes ibuprofen and even eye drops...

 

[Mr. Sir]

But I've had really good luck, I know your cynicism and I understand it... But Amazon really does seem to half way care. I mean they have an over the counter medication dispenser available to all employees that includes ibuprofen and even eye drops...

They even have ambulances on standby for those who get heat stroke in the summer there. that place is the best!

 

[Indecisi0n]

UPS provides you $80-100k a year.