These are not all pros, but more general knowledge you should know when starting at MKC4 (Amazon location in Edgerton, KS). This information is for blue-badge members who are full-time.
1: Starting pay is higher than most general education jobs (almost double the current minimum wage) which starts at $13.00/hr. Pay increases ever 6 months
2. On your official start day (and if you have never worked a job that requires you to be on your feet 90% of the time), prepare for this. Tennis shoes are affordable, but will not fend well on your feet for the first month while you adjust. An investment in Timberland work shoes (around $90-120) are worth the expense, and I found them to be durable, and last at least a year.
3. Understand your benefits: First and foremost, understand that your schedule is like a contract, meaning the hours that you are schedules must be worked, or supplemented with your benefit hours. Personal Time Off (PTO), UPT (unpaid time), VTO (voluntary time off), MyLeave and Vacation are all ways you can make up hours that you may need to miss due to whatever reason.
-PTO: 48/hrs per year, granted with 10/hrs on the first paycheck of employment or first paycheck of the new year, followed by 3.58/hours for 10 pay periods to follow, with 1.1/hrs on the 12th pay period. These hours can be used at any time. Amazon suggest that you save PTO hours to use during PEAK season (Oct-Dec), as sales are increased, resulting in longer work days and mandatory overtime.
-UPT: 80/hr per year. UPT is granted in 20/hour increments at the start of each quarter (Jan 1, April 1, July 1, Oct 1). UPT is meant for emergency purposes, but can be used as needed. (If an associate used UPT, that will negatively affect their VCP, which will be covered later).
-VTO: is offered by upper management when the labor cost due to lack of orders needs to be reduced. AA's (Amazon Associates) are able to sign up for VTO at the start (or prior day if offered through the HUB, which is Amazon's online employee portal) in which they will be able to leave mid-shift (or whatever time upper management deems fit) without the need to use UPT, PTO.
-MyLeave: is a resource that can be used if AAs need to be absent from work for long periods of time. They must be approved before hand.
-Vacation time: 48/hrs a year. Full-time employees receive 1.53/hrs of vacation time per pay period. Vacation time must be approved by upper management, and cannot be used at any given moment like UPT or PTO.
***Note: Amazon is firm on the policy of attendance. If you cannot make a shift, it MUST be covered either by PTO, UPT, VTO, or vacation if approved. If an AA goes negative on their UPT, it is an automatic dismissal. Be very cautious about our hours. I know it may seem acceptable to use hours that are available to you, but do not risk your employment due to going negative. Save save save your hours.
4: The days are extremely long. Most shifts are 10 hours long per day, with 4 days a week (during regular season, peak season is 60 hours per week). Amazon gives it's AAs (2) 15 minute paid breaks (actually 10 minutes with 5 minute walking time to and from your location). Example of my shift:
0730 - 1000 - Work
1000-1015 - Break
1015-1230- Work
1230 - 1300 - Lunch
1300-1530- Work
1530-1545- Break
1545-1800 - Work
5: Departments: A break down of each department:
Pick - this is a department to be in if you are comfortable driving PIT (vehicle in which to retrieve items). Mind you PIT can mean going 100+ft in the air to retrieve an item, so if you are not good with heights do not do Pick.
IC/QA: If you are an introvert and do not mind driving PIT, this is for you. Like pick IC/QA using PIT to tally inventory throughout the FC (fulfillment center). It's a slower paced position, best for those who are not super speedy.
Dock - Very physical department. Mostly being aTetris player by putting boxes into Trucks so they will fit and maximize space.
Inbound: This department receives items into the FC. They drive PIT, separate items to be stored, and other task. Like IC/QA, this department runs a bit slower.
Outbound/Pack department: This department is to place items to be shipped into boxes. This is the fastest department in the whole FC, and requires a rate of 70 unites boxed per hour. Department is good for those who like a fast-paced environment.
5: VCP: Variable Compensation Package is a bonus plan Amazon gives AAs who show up for their shifts and do not use UPT, and if the FC is meeting it's goals more than expected:
-Attendance: if you show up to all your shifts(or covered them with vacation or PTO) and do not use UPT, you will receive a 4% bonus for the month. Example: You work 100 hours in the month, took no UPT, and make $13.00/hr, you would receive an addition $52.00.
-Building Too Plan: If an FC is functions 105%+ to plan (meeting it's goals by 5% or more than expected), AAs will receive an additional 4% bonus. Mind you UPT is not calculated for Building Too Plan, so if you use UPT but the building does 105%+ for the month, you will receive this bonus.
***During Peak Season, VCP moves from a potential 8% to 16%.
6: If you like a longer 'weekend', choose either front half or back half shifts when selecting. These shifts run 4 days straight with 3 days off (during regular hours(non-peak). Donut shift is for those who like a little break in between, which shift will run Mon/Tue/Thur/Fri at work, with Wed/Sat/Sun off during regular hours (non-peak)
I wish you the best of luck with Amazon.
