Nearly a year after leaving Amazon, a former L6 manager shared their experience on Reddit of working at the e-commerce giant, calling the culture “toxic” and heavily numbers-driven. The ex-employee, who spent five years at Amazon Logistics (AMZL), says the break from the company has offered clarity about how it operated and how it affected employees.
The manager joined Amazon as an L5 and rose to L6 within two years. “The honeymoon period was great and initially I had a really good time,” they said, noting that early career growth and exposure seemed positive. However, the longer they stayed, the more they observed what they described as systemic issues in how associates, drivers, and even managers were treated.
Culture of Numbers and Fear
The former employee highlighted how performance at Amazon was driven almost entirely by metrics, with little regard for people. “Every person is just a disposable means to reaching KPI targets. Everything is just about numbers. The people on the shopfloor or on the street delivering packages hold no meaning to higher management,” they explained.
They also described the work as monotonous and bureaucratic, with endless reports, calls, and mandatory meetings. “Anyone with an ounce of critical thinking or wish for independence will find their limits very fast,” they added.
In one disturbing account, the manager claimed to have witnessed higher-level managers physically assaulting others without repercussions, citing a culture of fear that prevented reporting.
A Better Life Beyond Amazon
Amazon’s extensive investment in public relations was another red flag for the ex-employee. “Amazon is a company that invests millions if not billions into their PR department. Just ask yourself: if they treated their employees the right way, would they need to do that?” they remarked.
The former manager was also critical of peers who, in their view, had tied their identity to the company. “These kind of people disgust me because they are the ones who throw shade at you when you leave your workplace before them because you actually have a private life,” they said.
Now, having moved on to a mid-sized company, the former manager says life is significantly better. They report working fewer hours and earning more than they did at Amazon. Their message to current employees is clear: “Don’t be afraid to make the switch, the grass can be greener on the other side.”
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