Good advancement if you fit in, predatory headcount management - Program Manager II Amazon Employee Review

3.0
Jun 18, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company allows for significant growth if your trajectory aligns with its priorities, and internal experience/demonstrated competence and adaptation to Amazon's 'Peculiar ways' can get you far. The benefits (except for 401k matching) are top-tier, with the most comprehensive medical coverage I've ever had. Support for the benefits is lacking, but if you can figure out how to navigate them independently they will provide significant resources and broad health coverage

Cons

Predatory performance and headcount management - There have been 4 rounds of layoffs during my time in my current organization (2.5 years) within Amazon. Between those rounds, people are regularly put on 'Pivot', Amazon's version of a PIP. This program is not actually designed to help you improve as the documentation may suggest, and presents you with a cash offer to walk away, or a significantly reduced (70% less) sum if you try the presented improvement plan and fail. It is presented entirely as a tool to help you improve but if you actually try to and fail (the more common outcome) you lose the financial support of the initial offer. The company's way of operating means that in order to get promoted, you have to spend significant time and resources 'stretching' to the next job level for an unspecified period of time before working with your manager to write a document that *might* lead to a promotion. If it doesn't you are still expected to stretch beyond your role for no additional comp/title change

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5.0
Jun 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great work environment and benefits

Cons

work life balance is lacking

5.0
Jan 10, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Really smart people, a lot of opportunity for growth, always encouraged to be innovative, think big, and create something new. Competitive salary and benefits with other major tech companies. 100% self motivating work environment. No dress code and 4 legged friends are welcome.

Cons

You have to be self motivated. NO ONE will hold your hand and tell you that you're doing a great job. If you need constant affirmations from management, this company isn't for you.

3159
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