The article depicts a company that operates on a "warfare" business model. That doesn't just mean that Amazon is out to defeat any competitors. It also means that Amazon is quite prepared to accept a large number of "casualties" among its employees. Rather than creating an environment in which workers will be retained -- and will want to stay -- Amazon instead pushes them to their limits and beyond, until a large number of them leave.
And so what? Let 'em go! There are always plenty more where those came from.
From my point of view as an executive recruiter, this freaks me out. The article shows a huge and hugely successful corporation that, despite its size, is rooted in the "gig economy" that has previously been identified only with entrepreneurs and work-for-hire free lancers. Employee retention is the exception rather than the rule. And this said to be true at all levels of Amazon's operation, from warehouse workers to high level white collar.
Maybe this is just how things are going to be from now on. People will go to work for a company in the same way they start driving for Uber. Both the workers and the corporation will know it's a hook up which will very rarely lead to a marriage.
The New York Times article is the clearest depiction of this I've seen yet. It's generated a lot of response, including response from Jeff Bezos, Amazon's CEO. I urge you to click on the links below, and please share your thoughts!
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