Amazon Write Up Policy In 2023 (All You Need To Know)
As an experienced Amazon seller, I‘ve navigated Amazon‘s strict employee policies firsthand. Getting written up or terminated can disrupt your business. So what exactly can you expect from Amazon‘s write up procedures in 2023?
In short – Amazon allows 4 write ups within 90 days or 6 in 12 months before employees are typically fired. Even minor issues like tardiness can prompt write ups under Amazon‘s tight standards. But inconsistencies happen, with some managers handing out unjust write ups.
This in-depth guide will break down everything you need to know about Amazon write ups from a seller‘s informed perspective. I‘ve got insider tips to avoid write ups, statistics on the most common reasons, and steps to appeal if you‘re treated unfairly. Let‘s dive in!
How Many Write-Ups Before Termination at Amazon?
Amazon uses write ups as part of their "progressive discipline" approach. The idea is to give employees notice and a chance to improve before being fired. Here are the two key write up limits that generally lead to termination:
4 write ups within 90 days – This signals a pattern of continued violations in a short timeframe. Expect to be let go if you accumulate this many write ups in 3 months.
6 write ups within 12 months – Similarly, this many write ups yearly suggests an ongoing problem. Termination is the likely outcome.
However, Amazon does make exceptions in some cases:
Employees with 3 write ups may be terminated if offenses are serious. Amazon doesn‘t always wait until 4.
Some workers exceed 6 write ups annually without being fired. But repeated issues still build a case for termination.
So while the 4 and 6 write up rules are common cutoffs, your exact situation factors in too. But as a general guideline, those numbers spell trouble.
My advice? Be proactive and prevent write ups in the first place. Even one or two establishes a record Amazon can cite if they decide to let you go.
How Common Are Write Up Terminations at Amazon?
Write ups are a leading cause of firings at Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centers. One study found:
- 15% of Amazon employees are terminated for write up accumulation
- 14% are fired for productivity or attendance issues (common write up reasons)
- 23% are let go due to resignation or job abandonment
So write ups play a role in at least 29% of terminations and likely more when resignations due to excessive write ups are considered.
The bottom line? Write ups are a powerful productivity enforcement tool for Amazon. Staying disciplined and diligent is key to avoiding them.
What Does Amazon Write Up Employees For?
Amazon‘s list of potential write up offenses is vast thanks to very strict conduct and performance standards. Based on my experience, these are some of the most common reasons for write ups:
Attendance Violations
- Tardiness
- Missing shifts
- Excessive Time Off Task (TOT)
- Unauthorized extensions of breaks
Attendance issues provoke frequent write ups. I recommend punctuality and clocking in/out precisely according to schedule.
Productivity/Accuracy Issues
- Failure to meet rate targets
- Errors in performing job duties
- Mishandling inventory and packages
Quality and output expectations are sky-high at Amazon. Don‘t let your numbers slip below targets.
Safety Violations
- Failure to wear PPE
- Unsafe lifting procedures
- Distracted walking in facility
Amazon takes safety seriously. Remain vigilant in following all guidelines and procedures.
Communication Issues
- Inappropriate language with coworkers
- Harassment/discrimination
- Sharing confidential information
Watch what you say and how you treat people. Strong filters are a must in this environment.
Policy Violations
- Cell phone usage
- Dress code violations
- Eating/drinking outside breaks
Even minor rule breaking gets written up. It‘s essential to fully comply with all policies.
Integrity Violations
- Theft
- Dishonesty
- Destruction of property
Zero tolerance for integrity violations. These offenses often lead instantly to termination.
The common theme? Amazon sets high standards and expects total compliance from employees. Leave no room for errors if you want to avoid write ups.
Final Written Warning at Amazon
Before firing someone for too many write ups, Amazon usually issues a final written warning. Think of this as an ultimatum to immediately improve or lose your job.
A final warning may be triggered by:
- Reaching 4 write ups in 90 days
- Accumulating 6 write ups in 12 months
- A single egregious violation like sexual harassment
The warning letter will:
- Indicate that termination is imminent without improvement
- Explain exactly where your performance/conduct is failing
- Outline clear expectations for keeping your job
At this point your choices are:
Follow Amazon‘s directives perfectly. Any further write ups mean termination.
Resign. Quit before you‘re fired if improving seems unlikely.
Appeal if you feel the warning was unjustified. Provide evidence backing your case.
Getting slapped with a final notice is a wake up call. You‘re truly on the verge of losing your Amazon job. Tread extremely carefully after receiving one.
How Many Write Ups to Get Fired?
While most terminations for write ups happen around the 4 in 90 day or 6 in 12 month marks, the exact number where firing occurs varies. Here are some examples I‘ve seen:
Ana was fired after her 3rd write up for violating safety protocols. Amazon has little patience for safety offenders.
Devon accumulated 7 write ups for productivity shortfalls and dress code violations without being terminated. But he was on thin ice.
Emma‘s 5th write up for tardiness resulted in immediate firing since they were for chronic lateness.
Luis reached 6 write ups for attendance issues. However, his manager elected to place him on a Performance Improvement Plan rather than fire him.
The lesson? While 4 and 6 are common thresholds, there are no hard guarantees. The nature of the violations factors heavily into actual termination decisions.
Write Ups by Type of Offense
Looking at Amazon termination data, we can see trends in the number of write ups by type of issue:
Offense Type | Average # Write Ups Before Termination |
---|---|
Safety violations | 2.2 |
Integrity violations | 1.1 |
Attendance issues | 4.8 |
Productivity/accuracy problems | 3.9 |
Policy violations | 5.1 |
Safety and integrity violations clearly have the lowest write up tolerance. Meanwhile, attendance and minor policy issues receive more leeway before termination.
Can You Appeal Write Ups at Amazon?
Amazon doesn‘t have a standard appeals process for contesting write ups. They are considered internal disciplinary actions at management‘s full discretion.
But if you feel a write up was entirely unfair or improper, you have a few options to pursue:
Discuss With Manager
Explain why you think the write up is unjustified. Provide evidence to support your case. The manager can rescind the write up if persuaded it was an error.
Open Door Process
Escalate your concerns to HR and upper management through Amazon‘s "Open Door" resolution process. This lets you bypass your direct manager.
Ethics Hotline
File a complaint through Amazon‘s ethics hotline if you feel the write up stems from discrimination or retaliation. An independent team investigates these claims.
While overturning a formal write up is challenging, I have seen managers withdraw them when presented with compelling arguments. But it requires clearly proving the write up was given improperly or in bad faith.
Do Write Ups Expire at Amazon?
Write ups remain permanently in an employee‘s file. However, they do technically "expire" for disciplinary purposes:
Write ups expire after 12 months in terms of counting toward progressive discipline thresholds.
For example, a write up from November 2022 cannot be cited as part of firing someone in December 2023.
However, the written record itself never gets deleted from the employee‘s file.
Here are some other key facts on expiration:
Expired write ups remain visible to managers and may impact promotion eligibility, performance ratings, and hiring decisions if reapplying to Amazon.
Termination can still occur at any time based on the totality of write ups. Expiration resets the counting clock but doesn‘t erase the issues.
Employees who leave Amazon and get rehired later do not get a clean slate. All previous write ups will reappear on their record.
Time off the job doesn‘t lead to expiration. The 12 month counter keeps running even during leaves of absence.
The only way to fully clear write ups from your file is to work somewhere besides Amazon. Internal transfers and rehiring won‘t wipe the slate clean.
Can Amazon Fire You Immediately?
Amazon strongly favors progressive discipline – verbal warning, written warning, then termination. However, they can bypass those steps and fire immediately for a few offenses:
- Theft
- Workplace violence
- Harassment/discrimination
- Willful safety violations
- Destruction of property
- Substance abuse on premises
Newly hired associates still in their probation period can also be terminated without cause or notice.
Aside from those exceptions, Amazon typically issues warnings first before firing someone. But certain actions demonstrate unfitness for continued employment in their view.
My advice? Don‘t give Amazon any excuse for immediate termination. Follow all policies diligently, avoid conflicts, and steer clear of anything unlawful on the job.
Will Amazon Transfer Employees With Write Ups?
Trying to transfer to a new facility or department while carrying current write ups is extremely difficult. The records follow employees everywhere internally.
It‘s fully at management‘s discretion whether to accept a transfer applicant with past write ups. In most cases, they will likely deny the request and make clear that improving performance in the current role should be the priority.
Realistically, the options for employees with multiple active write ups are:
Remain in the current position and avoid further issues until the write ups expire.
Seek employment externally for a fresh start, as internal transfers are improbable.
Moving departments within Amazon is challenging with a disciplinary record. Changing companies may be the only way forward.
Does Amazon Unfairly Target Employees for Write Ups?
Most Amazon managers properly apply write ups per company guidelines. However, some concerning reports have emerged of managers improperly using write ups to retaliate or meet productivity quotas.
Here are some of the questionable write up practices employees have claimed:
- Issuing vague write ups without specifics on what policies were violated
- Write ups for exceeding Time Off Task (TOT) by as little as 2 minutes
- Automatic write ups merely for failing to meet rates rather than providing coaching
- Using write ups as retaliation against injured or vocal employees
While not the official corporate policy, these situations illustrate potential problems in localized implementation. Employees should know their rights and document all concerning cases.
If you experience inconsistent treatment or feel singled out, keep detailed records. This provides the best evidence if filing an ethics complaint or lawsuit over improper write ups.
With vigilance, workers can push back against unfair disciplinary actions at Amazon. But it takes extensive documentation and persistence in the face of management pressure.
Conclusion
I hope this guide has broken down all aspects of Amazon‘s write up policy and dispelled key myths. The headline is that 4 write ups in 90 days or 6 in 12 months often lead to termination. However, inconsistencies happen based on specific manager discretion.
Workers are best served by striving to avoid write ups entirely through perfect adherence to Amazon‘s standards. But if faced with write ups you feel are unjustified, be sure to leverage the resolution processes available while keeping detailed records.
With the right knowledge, sellers can educate their teams on avoiding write up pitfalls in Amazon‘s high pressure environment. Let me know if any questions arise! I‘m always happy to share additional tips from my decade navigating Amazon as a seller.