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The cost of convenience in the same-day delivery race landed a face when the BBC sent an undercover worker to film his night shifts in Swansea, Wales. Adam Littler, 23, took on the job of "picker," collecting orders from 800,000-square-feet of storage for ten hours a day, four days a week, with an hour break. A handset told him to find and put on his cart, and he received a time limit for finding and scanning product. If he made a mistake or was too slow the scanner beeped, but regardless, his progress was sent to his managers.
The BBC tapped Prof Marmot, an expert on stress at work, to discuss the downside of Amazon's system. He said the working conditions at the warehouse are "all the bad stuff at once," and that, "the characteristics of this type of job, the evidence shows increased risk of mental illness and physical illness."
Amazon defends its warehouse worker conditions saying that its lawful in the UK, and they sought expert advice to ensure the shifts "comply with all relevant legal requirements." They also warn full time workers and the 15,000 workers brought on seasonally in country that it's physically demanding work. Happy holidays?
· Amazon Workers Face 'Increased Risk of Mental Illness' [BBC]
· Inside eBay's Insane One-Hour Delivery Scheme [Racked]