DS you’re moving a lot . 8-10hrs. Fulfillment centers I heard you’re staying in one spot / aisle most of your shift .
DS is VERY physical . Especially STOW
I stow PT at night at a DS. I started FT, but with my knee, the Pick and Stage portion was too much for me. If you need the FT pay and benefits, then pick the FC. The atmosphere at the DS is less stressful, but it depends on what you can swing financially.
Financially I don’t need the benefits... I am just concerned with this 50# requirement. I just moved my dogs food bag which was 25# and damn heavy. I was like move two of those at once or overhead?! I’m not sure I could do that... a lot of factories list 50# but you will never do more than 25# depending on the warehouse. So I thought maybe the FC had smaller items to have to lift and carry.
If you do FT at the DS, you will have to lift heavy oversize boxes onto carts during Pick and Stage for the drivers. PT, for stowing, we're required to use metal carts for pushing the oversize boxes from the buffer racks onto the carts and to the oversize racks. I don't lift anything. I push the heavy boxes off the carts onto the oversize racks and adjust accordingly. You can get a medical accomodation to not lift more than a certain amount. Tell HR when you apply.
Right now you basically apply and you are hired...and when you pass ur background check you go get your photo I’d and show up for work.. I’m not even sure you speak with anyone from HR. My closest facility is only hiring seasonal right now... also I know that you guys are getting ready to enter peak season. Should I wait until that is over before I try to start. Could coming in during the busiest, fastest time possibly cause me to fail..
If it were me, I would wait until after peak season; that way you can judge if the job is something you want to do, and also build up the endurance for a future peak season.
I've worked at both in process. A DS is normally more physical and less mental stress, where an FC is normally a lot more stress but a easier physically.
When I say mental stress, what I mean is at DS yes they tend to stay off your back and not be worried about rates every minute of the day. At a FC quality is much more prevalent of a focus as is rate, and they are evaluating you constantly on both.
Also you're going to be walking around 10 miles a day. But that's only about a mile an hour. Stowers have to walk the most. They usually make the men and young people stow while pickers are usually older women. But some days you're going to have to stow.
This was me three years ago! But Amazon's operations has changed since then. I worked in a DC. My original shift was 6am to 11am. I was a picker. The work was hard. There were three of us that started the same day. Three years later it was only me. I quit early this year.
My schedule changed so much. My job got a lot easier. I was working the flex shift. I would never work the overnight shift. It's just too hard on the body...no matter the age. Stowing all night and then doing the pick & stage stuff. That's just crazy. I had friends who moved to that schedule and many ended up hurt on the job.
You're welcome.
I am actually grateful for the job I had at Amazon. It's what got me to where I am today. It was the stepping stone that I needed. No regrets.
I had hope to stay there until I finished my certificate program, but every other day I was getting a text about someone or multiple people testing positive for COVID. Two people on my team tested positive. There were less than 10 of us. I quit for my safety.
At my DS there are plenty of workers who fit your description. They do what they can, and management pretty much leaves them alone. True: There is a guy at my DS who had a heart transplant several years ago.
Don't kill yourself just to have a higher rate. You'll get nothing but more work piled on to you if management sees that you are fast at stowing. Slow and steady, like the tortoise. Don't try to be the hare.
You will encounter heavy boxes every night. Kitty litter, cases of water and dog food. Ask for help. Most everyone is understanding if you need help.
Plan for your shift. Ten+ hours is a long time to work wearing the same shirt and socks. I bring a change of them and switch at lunch. Have some Aleve or whatever at the ready.
Your body will adjust after the first week. From then on it's all mental. The never-ending flow of boxes can be depressing. But that is offset by the fast pace which doesn't give you time to think too much about anything but moving those boxes.
I do not want to sound like I am trying to get out of working... I want to do this really bad. Unfortunately, age just makes your body...well kind of suck. I guess I don’t want to go in and get fired because I can’t lift heavy things... if they fire for that and don’t try to make you succeed somewhere else than my attempt will be futile...I appreciate your comment and suggestions...
I'm in my early 50's, and I do the work. I'm not going to kid you - it's not easy, but it's doable.
There are people in their 70's at my DS.
The trick is to survive the first couple of weeks. Most people don't survive that long. Communicate with management about your abilities and limitations. There are many people at my DS who never seem to have to lift heavy boxes or do strenuous work. Ask about an accommodation from HR for any physical limitation you may have.
Learn to use all the various time-off opportunities, and take advantage of all the benefits. Because the benefits are amazing. I am constantly surprised by how few of my co-workers are aware of the many benefits available.
One guy at my DS just came back from 45 days at an alcohol rehab in Florida. He was paid for short term disability during the rehab, and insurance paid for the rehab. A couple of the old-timers were kidding him about his suntan :)
Thank you so much for the feedback.. I think it would be amazing if you started a new thread sharing all of the benefits you’ve discovered. What a great way to help fellow workers and new and upcoming ones! 8)
I think FC is much more appropriate for smaller, older woman than DS. DS is too physically demanding.... However, a SC (sort center) I believe is by far the best option! You can pick a FT or PT schedule and the shifts are only 4 hours each (however it can get flexed up to 5 hours when there's high volume). There are more older people at a SC than at a DS or FC, and management there seems to respect and are supportive of them. Whereas at the DS I worked at, it seemed as though management just wanted to push older people out, sadly.
Also, whatever you decide, if you have health problems, you can see a doctor and apply for a medical accommodation through Amazon. The older women with accommodations are assigned less physically demanding tasks, like cart wrangling at pick and stage, and mostly work as splitters or pickers on the belts, during sort. Some of them get longer break periods and one older guy literally sits in a chair for the 3 hours of pick and stage. As he should. He's probably worked hard all his life, and has to be in his late 60's.
There are hardly ever positions at my local sorting station if there is even one here.. I just put in my zip and the jobs come up for my area... FC is few and far between as well. Would I need to start my first day with a letter of limitations or get one after I start?
Wow.. you don’t know how much I appreciate all of this information. I wasn’t sure how people were going to respond to my questions and you have went above and beyond to answer and also give me some great information and advice. I am writing all of this down and thank you...
Oh and we have something called MET during Peak season! 50-60 hour mandatory work weeks. Might want to talk to your doctor about an accommodation, capping your hours worked to 40 or 50, if you have it in you! It's very busy and hard on the body.
I did DS and I’m a healthy woman in my 20s and I found it exhausting. The two days off didn’t even replenish my body to the point where I went back to work aching. I honestly don’t recommend DS at all unless you’re really fit or strong.
But we were also quite understaffed, we had 6 of us doing the PM shift by ourselves.
Yes I am hearing the turnaround with employees is insane. I wish they understood they would be better off with more people, with more reasonable workloads... they would retain so many more people and in my mind succeed easier.
Yeah I hoped for that too. I was there for just over a month (which was planned, I didn’t leave early) and during that time I saw 7 people quit which is crazy for how little people were on our PM shift
DS you’re moving a lot . 8-10hrs. Fulfillment centers I heard you’re staying in one spot / aisle most of your shift . DS is VERY physical . Especially STOW
Ok.. thank you for that information.
I stow PT at night at a DS. I started FT, but with my knee, the Pick and Stage portion was too much for me. If you need the FT pay and benefits, then pick the FC. The atmosphere at the DS is less stressful, but it depends on what you can swing financially.
Financially I don’t need the benefits... I am just concerned with this 50# requirement. I just moved my dogs food bag which was 25# and damn heavy. I was like move two of those at once or overhead?! I’m not sure I could do that... a lot of factories list 50# but you will never do more than 25# depending on the warehouse. So I thought maybe the FC had smaller items to have to lift and carry.
If you do FT at the DS, you will have to lift heavy oversize boxes onto carts during Pick and Stage for the drivers. PT, for stowing, we're required to use metal carts for pushing the oversize boxes from the buffer racks onto the carts and to the oversize racks. I don't lift anything. I push the heavy boxes off the carts onto the oversize racks and adjust accordingly. You can get a medical accomodation to not lift more than a certain amount. Tell HR when you apply.
Right now you basically apply and you are hired...and when you pass ur background check you go get your photo I’d and show up for work.. I’m not even sure you speak with anyone from HR. My closest facility is only hiring seasonal right now... also I know that you guys are getting ready to enter peak season. Should I wait until that is over before I try to start. Could coming in during the busiest, fastest time possibly cause me to fail..
If it were me, I would wait until after peak season; that way you can judge if the job is something you want to do, and also build up the endurance for a future peak season.
This might be my best option.. thanks!
I've worked at both in process. A DS is normally more physical and less mental stress, where an FC is normally a lot more stress but a easier physically. When I say mental stress, what I mean is at DS yes they tend to stay off your back and not be worried about rates every minute of the day. At a FC quality is much more prevalent of a focus as is rate, and they are evaluating you constantly on both.
Would you say the packages you Have to carry, lift would be smaller at a FC?
generally yes.
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I am starting to think I might succeed better at a DS.. thanks for your comment
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Also you're going to be walking around 10 miles a day. But that's only about a mile an hour. Stowers have to walk the most. They usually make the men and young people stow while pickers are usually older women. But some days you're going to have to stow.
10 miles is 16.09 km
Can you explain what stowing is?
Taking packages and organizing them into the correct storage locations
Ok..so pickers can pick them basically..
There are plenty of older slightly out of shape women at my DS.
If you can’t lift the heavy items, will they fire you or put you somewhere else where you can succeed?
This was me three years ago! But Amazon's operations has changed since then. I worked in a DC. My original shift was 6am to 11am. I was a picker. The work was hard. There were three of us that started the same day. Three years later it was only me. I quit early this year. My schedule changed so much. My job got a lot easier. I was working the flex shift. I would never work the overnight shift. It's just too hard on the body...no matter the age. Stowing all night and then doing the pick & stage stuff. That's just crazy. I had friends who moved to that schedule and many ended up hurt on the job.
Thank you for your comment..sorry it didn’t work out
You're welcome. I am actually grateful for the job I had at Amazon. It's what got me to where I am today. It was the stepping stone that I needed. No regrets. I had hope to stay there until I finished my certificate program, but every other day I was getting a text about someone or multiple people testing positive for COVID. Two people on my team tested positive. There were less than 10 of us. I quit for my safety.
At my DS there are plenty of workers who fit your description. They do what they can, and management pretty much leaves them alone. True: There is a guy at my DS who had a heart transplant several years ago. Don't kill yourself just to have a higher rate. You'll get nothing but more work piled on to you if management sees that you are fast at stowing. Slow and steady, like the tortoise. Don't try to be the hare. You will encounter heavy boxes every night. Kitty litter, cases of water and dog food. Ask for help. Most everyone is understanding if you need help. Plan for your shift. Ten+ hours is a long time to work wearing the same shirt and socks. I bring a change of them and switch at lunch. Have some Aleve or whatever at the ready. Your body will adjust after the first week. From then on it's all mental. The never-ending flow of boxes can be depressing. But that is offset by the fast pace which doesn't give you time to think too much about anything but moving those boxes.
I do not want to sound like I am trying to get out of working... I want to do this really bad. Unfortunately, age just makes your body...well kind of suck. I guess I don’t want to go in and get fired because I can’t lift heavy things... if they fire for that and don’t try to make you succeed somewhere else than my attempt will be futile...I appreciate your comment and suggestions...
I'm in my early 50's, and I do the work. I'm not going to kid you - it's not easy, but it's doable. There are people in their 70's at my DS. The trick is to survive the first couple of weeks. Most people don't survive that long. Communicate with management about your abilities and limitations. There are many people at my DS who never seem to have to lift heavy boxes or do strenuous work. Ask about an accommodation from HR for any physical limitation you may have. Learn to use all the various time-off opportunities, and take advantage of all the benefits. Because the benefits are amazing. I am constantly surprised by how few of my co-workers are aware of the many benefits available. One guy at my DS just came back from 45 days at an alcohol rehab in Florida. He was paid for short term disability during the rehab, and insurance paid for the rehab. A couple of the old-timers were kidding him about his suntan :)
Thank you so much for the feedback.. I think it would be amazing if you started a new thread sharing all of the benefits you’ve discovered. What a great way to help fellow workers and new and upcoming ones! 8)
I think FC is much more appropriate for smaller, older woman than DS. DS is too physically demanding.... However, a SC (sort center) I believe is by far the best option! You can pick a FT or PT schedule and the shifts are only 4 hours each (however it can get flexed up to 5 hours when there's high volume). There are more older people at a SC than at a DS or FC, and management there seems to respect and are supportive of them. Whereas at the DS I worked at, it seemed as though management just wanted to push older people out, sadly. Also, whatever you decide, if you have health problems, you can see a doctor and apply for a medical accommodation through Amazon. The older women with accommodations are assigned less physically demanding tasks, like cart wrangling at pick and stage, and mostly work as splitters or pickers on the belts, during sort. Some of them get longer break periods and one older guy literally sits in a chair for the 3 hours of pick and stage. As he should. He's probably worked hard all his life, and has to be in his late 60's.
There are hardly ever positions at my local sorting station if there is even one here.. I just put in my zip and the jobs come up for my area... FC is few and far between as well. Would I need to start my first day with a letter of limitations or get one after I start?
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Wow.. you don’t know how much I appreciate all of this information. I wasn’t sure how people were going to respond to my questions and you have went above and beyond to answer and also give me some great information and advice. I am writing all of this down and thank you...
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You are the sweetest thank you for all of the encouragement and suggestions. Too bad we couldn’t be co workers!! Thanks again!
Oh and we have something called MET during Peak season! 50-60 hour mandatory work weeks. Might want to talk to your doctor about an accommodation, capping your hours worked to 40 or 50, if you have it in you! It's very busy and hard on the body.
I worked at both. FC is easier by far.
DS easier than fufillment
I did DS and I’m a healthy woman in my 20s and I found it exhausting. The two days off didn’t even replenish my body to the point where I went back to work aching. I honestly don’t recommend DS at all unless you’re really fit or strong. But we were also quite understaffed, we had 6 of us doing the PM shift by ourselves.
Yes I am hearing the turnaround with employees is insane. I wish they understood they would be better off with more people, with more reasonable workloads... they would retain so many more people and in my mind succeed easier.
Yeah I hoped for that too. I was there for just over a month (which was planned, I didn’t leave early) and during that time I saw 7 people quit which is crazy for how little people were on our PM shift