Earlier this year, Amazon made headlines for laying off 9,000 employees, following the layoff of 18,000 people in the previous year. Many Amazon employees shared their experiences on LinkedIn and searched for better job opportunities. According to Business Insider, a former Amazon HR employee recently shared his experience of leaving the company due to work pressure-induced PTSD. The employee, who chose to remain anonymous, disclosed that he was put on a performance improvement plan (PIP) by the company.
The ex-Amazon worker revealed that they had to comply with the PIP’s demands, showing flexibility when required. Nevertheless, due to the stress and perceived danger, the employee decided to resign. When informing the manager of the resignation, the employee stated that it was not due to a lack of respect but rather a response to a perceived threat. The manager’s reaction was one of anger and disbelief at the two-week notice period.
In contrast, an Amazon spokesperson informed Business Insider that the former employee’s account does not align with the majority of employees’ experiences at the company.
In November of this year, a different Amazon employee made the decision to part ways with the company rather than relocate across the country for work. In an article published by Business Insider, the individual shared their personal account and expressed contentment despite experiencing a significant reduction in salary.
Amazon’s initiative to financially support employees who choose to leave their jobs was previously disclosed in a Moneycontrol report. This program, known as “Pay to Quit,” was introduced by Jeff Bezos, the co-founder of Amazon, in 2014. Its purpose was to retain only those individuals who were genuinely dedicated and motivated to remain with the company.
In a letter addressed to shareholders, Bezos explained that once a year, Amazon offers associates a monetary incentive to resign from their positions. The initial offer is set at $2,000 and increases by $1,000 each subsequent year until it reaches $5,000. The intention behind this offer is clearly stated in the headline: “Please Don’t take this offer.” Amazon hopes that employees will choose to stay rather than accept the payout.
When discussing the rationale behind this unique initiative, Bezos emphasized the importance of encouraging individuals to reflect on their true desires. He believes that it is detrimental for both the employee and the company if someone remains in a role where they do not genuinely want to be.