There seem to be a lot of pros and cons to working in an Amazon warehouse. The many policies and regulations that come with being an Amazon warehouse employee can be both beneficial and slightly frustrating.
In this article, we will discuss the ins and outs of Amazon’s bad weather policy for employees at Amazon warehouses to find out how it affects them.
Amazon Inclement Weather Policy [year]
Amazon’s inclement weather policy states that their fulfillment center will monitor local weather and shut down the warehouses if the conditions are too dangerous for travel. If the weather is worse in some areas, those employees will have to use their unpaid time off and have it returned later.
Keep reading if you want to learn everything there is to know about Amazon’s inclement weather policy in [year], including how to find out if Amazon is closed due to weather and when you can assume Amazon will close due to bad weather.
Does Amazon Ever Cancel Work Due to Weather?
While Amazon states that the company will absolutely cancel work for employees due to bad weather, some reports have shown that the centers don’t close nearly as often as they should.
In fact, Amazon warehouse centers stayed open in New York when Hurricane Ida hit, causing a lot of backlash for the company.
Unfortunately for Amazon employees, because canceling work is at the discretion of each individual center, there is no way to say exactly what kind of weather will make Amazon close its fulfillment centers.
As well, sometimes, Amazon warehouses will close minutes before your shift is about to start, canceling your work day while you are already on the way. In order to get notifications of when Amazon is canceling work at your building, it’s important that you follow the instructions listed below to be informed as soon as possible.
Is Amazon Closed Today?
If you work at an Amazon fulfillment center and feel as though the weather in your area will make it dangerous to get to work, of course, you will want to know if Amazon is closed.
First, you should make sure that your phone number is up to date on the Amazon A to Z employee app. If you do not already have the app, you can download it from the app store on your smartphone and sign in with your employee information. Once you are in the app, make sure to add your mobile phone number.
If your phone number is up to date on the app, you should get a text notification when your specific center is closing due to bad weather. As well, if your email is correct, you should receive an email before your shift begins if your building is closed.
If you do not have the app or are unsure if you missed the text message, the other option is to simply call your building. You can find your building’s phone number on Google, and when you call, there should be an automated message stating whether or not the warehouse is closed and when it will reopen.
Amazon Weather Hotline for Employees
Amazon does not technically have a weather hotline for employees. Although you can search for it on the internet, the number to call changes for each individual center, so you need to know your building number.
Each fulfillment center has its own phone number, and by calling this number, you will hear an automated messaging service on which one of the options will be about the local weather and if the center is closed.
What Types of Bad Weather Does Amazon Close In?
Although there are no set-in-stone weather regulations that ensure Amazon will close, there are a few common types of weather that usually lead Amazon to cancel work at its fulfillment centers.
Here are the types of bad weather that Amazon usually closes in:
- Tornado/Hurricane Warnings
- Snow
- Hail
- Flash Floods
- Freezing Winds
Essentially, any severe weather warnings in which experts or meteorologists in your area state that it is dangerous to be out on the road may lead Amazon to close its fulfillment centers.
Does Amazon Pay During Inclement Weather?
If Amazon closes the warehouse and no employees come in, Amazon will not pay employees for missed hours.
While it can be unfortunate to miss a shift, Amazon so infrequently closes due to bad weather that it’s not likely to affect your paychecks on a regular basis.
On the other hand, if Amazon does not close the warehouse you work at, but you don’t want to risk your life going out into inclement weather, you can use your paid time off to stay home.
Again, there are pros and cons to this system. Being paid to stay home safe is not a bad thing, but Amazon employees only get so much paid time off each year, and using it to stay home when Amazon should have closed its doors is not ideal.
Does Amazon Follow Their Own Employee Inclement Weather Policy?
Amazon has received some pretty bad publicity in recent years due to its lack of closers during inclement weather.
Although the company has a fairly clear-cut statement, Amazon does not usually follow its own employee inclement weather policy.
Luckily for Amazon, employees have reported that their policy of allowing employees to get paid time off for missing work on days when it was too dangerous to drive to the center actually does occur as promised.
Can Amazon Fire You for Missing Work Due to Bad Weather?
Amazon cannot legally fire you for missing work due to bad weather. Although Amazon often doesn’t follow the rules, it seems they do adhere to this one.
If you miss work due to inclement weather, you will need to contact your HR representative and explain the situation. At first, the hours will be sent in as unpaid time off, but if you have enough paid time off hours accumulated, you can ask the HR representative to change the hours to paid time off.
In certain states, the company has the right to deny you paid time off if they do not believe that it was bad enough to cause you to stay home, so it’s important to understand the laws of your region.
Conclusion
Amazon’s inclement weather policy states that centers will close as needed due to bad weather to keep their employees safe. However, Amazon does not often close its doors, even with extreme weather warnings. If you need to stay home due to the weather, you can use your PTO for the day.