Why Do You Not Want To Work At Amazon?

Amazon
SpicyTuna

Go to company page Amazon

SpicyTuna
Aug 28, 2018 454 Comments

A lot of preconceived beliefs about Amazon. Which ones do you believe that prevent you from working there?

Multi-selection. Choose 3 only please.

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TOP 454 Comments
  • Their comp structure sounds like a scam:
    - their signing bonus isn’t really signing bonus like any other company
    - they assume 15% stock growth YoY when calculating total comp. I bet your Google offer looks great if you apply the same technique too
    - at the same time, they don’t discount their 2nd year signing bonus. It’s a fixed amount and money loses value overtime. Well play from their side.
    - although their stock is doing well, it doesn’t mean anything if you can’t vest it. Waiting for 3rd year to vest is hard. If you can wait, you may already miss many better opportunities. It comes with a big hidden cost.
    - no bonus if their stock goes up. Most people grow professionally in 3-4 years and they usually get more rewards as a result. Not the case at Amazon. It’s another hidden cost.

    You would be better working somewhere else and buying their stock. You can cash out your profit as soon as you want too
    Aug 28, 2018 175
  • Cash cap makes it a non starter for a significant portion of us.
    Aug 28, 2018 82
    • Topcon, yes, but we're not arguing what is standard. I'm trying to understand the pros and cons of their pay structure vs other companies.

      My conclusions:

      - still don't prefer TTC philosophy, don't think that's ever going to change.

      - not as good as fb/g structure if you only expect stock to go up, and if competing company's stock price rise the same percentage (whole other story if you think it'll massively outperform fb/g)

      - good for people that want downside protection from highly volatile stock. Year one mitigates 80% stock risk, Year 2 mitigates 40% stock risk. This reverses Year 3.

      - good for people who's role usually does not receive large sign on bonus. Bad for the reverse if not able to negotiate true sign on.

      - tenure at company is as variable as stock performance for the individual TC.
      Sep 1, 2018
    • Google
      topCon

      Go to company page Google

      topCon
      For the most part, I agree with your conclusions. I've also made my points as well. And if any of my understanding of Amazon's compensation structure I'd wrong, someone can correct me.
      Sep 1, 2018
  • Amazon
    67495cgd

    Go to company page Amazon

    67495cgd
    Amazon pay is not good for engineers and there is no respect for engineers.
    Aug 29, 2018 93
  • HPE / Eng
    Faaak

    Go to company page HPE Eng

    Faaak
    Do they still offer bananas as snacks? If so then I’m still down to work there.
    Aug 28, 2018 6
  • Amazon
    Amazonbie

    Go to company page Amazon

    Amazonbie
    Dogs at Amazon get treated better than the average person who actually works here
    Aug 28, 2018 3