Amazon Area Manager interview questions

Tell me about a time you solved a problem with a creative solution? (What was creative about it? Do you think the results would have been better with a more standard approach?)

Tell me about a time where you successfully/unsuccessfully anticipated a problem coming. What steps did you take to mitigate risk?

Case Study Problem 1: Both Jennifer and Chris are Associates in the Amazon Fulfillment Center where you work as an Area Manager. Jennifer works for you in the pick department and Chris works for one of your peers, Bruce, in the pack department. Everyday Jennifer and Chris carpool to work and one day both of them show up 30 minutes late. Because they are late, the time clock automatically docks their pay for 30 minutes. You as Jennifer's Manager could override the deduction however, since she was in fact late, you do not. That Friday after pay checks are distributed Jennifer approaches you and is upset because she notices the 30 minute deduction however, she claims that the same deduction is not reflected in Chris's paycheck. Apparently Chris's Manager Bruce, did override the deduction. What is your response to Jennifer's claim? How do you account for the discrepancy in managerial procedure? What follow-up actions do you take?

Case Study Problem 2: As a follow-up to the scenario in Case Question #1 you approach Chris's Manager, Bruce to discuss Jennifer's concern regarding Chris's paycheck. You explain the situation to Bruce and Bruce tells you that he remembers the day that Chris and Jennifer were late and tells you that he did in fact override Chris's tardiness. When you ask him why, he tells you that Chris has been an Associate of his for a long time, he is never late and Chris's family really can't afford to lose money out of Chris's paycheck. Bruce says he knows he probably shouldn't have done it but he asks you to tell Jennifer that the situation has been taken care of and to just let it go. What is your reaction to Bruce's response? What do you tell Bruce? What do you tell Jennifer? Do you escalate the situation to HR or to your Manager?