Getting severance might hurt my career? Only AMZN or every company?
So now if you choose to get severance, you need to sign a couple agreements to give up certain rights, which we already know. But, what’s the “employer reference authorization and release form” that Amazon is asking people sign? So I need to sign this form that authorizes Amazon to “release any and all information regarding my employment with Amazon and my suitability for employment to any prospective employers or educational institutions who request such information”. And this form can overturn the law? Seriously??? So my manager made up stories to put me in pivot, that’s not worse enough, now you want me to authorize him/her to do it again to ruin my future career? Seriously? I’m shocked. Anyone ever seen this and ever been affected?
Holy Fock.
Fuck. Amazon won’t let you take severance without causing enough damage. I think this is a deterrent, the idea being people won’t take the severance to protect their future career. This is height of frugality.
It is just there to give them ammo, in case you choose to sue them for whatever reason, say you file a claim on a racist boss. Amazon will publicly disparage you in order to discredit your claim. This seems more of future proofing their legal strategy, than them trying to screw you over, after your leave. I recommend you get a quick legal consultation on Avvo. Regardless refuse to sign that form. If HR keeps insisting, tell her that this agreement seems non-standard and is one sided, and you cannot sign it. Explain to her that your lawyer also recommended the same, and what you can offer instead, is to sign a full release of claims against Amazon.
I vaguely remember but from my internship, I think every intern was supposed to sign it before departing.
Who calls Amazon to verify credentials?
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Ask hr to remove this document from the list. I've heard others have successfully done this