If you’ve ever wanted to know what working at the infamous Amazon is all about, the ABC has created a little game that does a fairly good job at detailing the experience based on what its workers have said. While The Amazon Race itself is pretty cute, its subject matter certainly is not.
[jwplayer WlZqbchT]
The point-and-click adventure puts you in the shoes of a new employee navigating common issues highlighted by actual Amazon staff, such as strict performance management and perpetual casual employment.
Throughout the game, you’ll be given choices to make which will affect your pick rate – the main performance measure at Amazon – such as stopping to help a colleague find something or having a drink of water in order to stay hydrated. The ABC reports that workers are literally timed down to the second, many will even avoid drinking water so they don’t have to go to the toilet throughout the day, something which would affect their pick rate.
“This ABC News game tells the story of what it’s like to work in Amazon’s Melbourne warehouse,” the game’s opening reads. “It’s based on interviews with eight current and former workers.”
“For the purposes of the game, the workers’ real-life experiences have been condensed into one week.”
An Amazon spokesperson has swiped back at the claims, pointing out the creation of 500 new permanent positions in Australia over the next year at its fulfilment centres.
“The Game by the ABC is intentionally sensational in its reporting and is demeaning to the hard working dedicated people who work at Amazon fulfilment centres and do a great job,” the spokesperson told PEDESTRIAN.TV via email.
“Amazon is continuing to invest in Australia with the creation of 500 new permanent jobs over the next year at its local fulfilment centres. This has been developed over many months and for ABC to claim credit is laughable. Investment and long term business decisions such as these are developed over months to ensure we get it right for the associates joining the team.”
You can give the game a whirl for yourself right here if you’re keen. Don’t let that pick rate get too low or your next shift might be cancelled.
