HR department is horrible - Software Development Engineer (SDE) II Amazon Employee Review

4.0
Nov 17, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pay very well. Smartest team I've ever worked with and the best manager.

Cons

By far the worst HR experience I have ever had. I was on a disability accommodation and they took *months* to get back to me about some of the parameters of that arrangement, like how my pay and benefits would work. I called them something like 10 - 15 times and was shifted back and forth between two teams, each saying the other was responsible for answering my questions. Since leaving Amazon, I have tried to get a hold of HR to find out the exact non-compete agreement I signed. First of all, the only way as an alumni to authenticate into their A2Z site is through their mobile app, which isn't great. They closed my ticket and told me they would email me but did not. When I called them 2 weeks later, they told me the documents would be available in a few hours on the ticket. When I checked back in a couple days, they had posted a message informing me that "as we discussed", another team needed to approve my ability to see that document first. My memory of the conversation doesn't match that, but it seems I can't comment on the closed ticket or reopen it. So, I'm still waiting. If I could boil it down the problem lies in lack of ownership. Each team you talk to is eager to close your ticket and forward you to another team. There needs to be someone who takes ownership regardless of the team. This is coupled with how the process is structured to prevent requesters from getting the email or phone information of anyone except a team alias. This means often when you contact them you are talking to a brand new person, further eroding ownership. And for a good user experience, you shouldn't close a user-facing ticket (their only handle on the process), until that ticket is actually resolved.

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5.0
Jul 2, 2026
Recommend
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Pros

Good manager and team, good tech stack

Cons

Company culture is cut throat

5.0
Jan 10, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Really smart people, a lot of opportunity for growth, always encouraged to be innovative, think big, and create something new. Competitive salary and benefits with other major tech companies. 100% self motivating work environment. No dress code and 4 legged friends are welcome.

Cons

You have to be self motivated. NO ONE will hold your hand and tell you that you're doing a great job. If you need constant affirmations from management, this company isn't for you.

3159
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