As consumers, many of us love Amazon’s Next-Day Delivery, especially during COVID. This type of delivery service was a vital shopping component when leaving the house presented risking infection. So, instead of “masking up” and heading out to the store, you can receive an alert on your smartphone, open your door, and pick up the package containing all your necessities without leaving your front porch.
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES OF E-COMMERCE CONVENIENCE
During uncertain times like these, convenience makes life easier for most of us. However, the ability to online shop does have consequences, ranging from labor violations to severe injuries. Not only are drivers rushing to their destinations at risk, but local drivers in our community are also presented with dangers due to the pressures being felt by “next day drivers.”
Amazon cannot achieve their lightning speed at which they deliver packages alone – they deliver over five million packages every week. So, the retailer relies on many small companies that compose their nationwide delivery network in smaller communities such as ours.
This past holiday season was very stressful for delivery drivers, many of which work on a flat rate. They were encouraged by dispatchers to go without breaks such as bathroom visits, meals, and most importantly much-needed rest. When they imposed a “no package left behind” policy that meant that all boxes, as many as 250 per day, had to be delivered before drivers could go home no matter how long it took to complete.
However, when products are damaged or accidents occur and people are injured, Amazon shifts the blame to the third-party companies. Many of those companies are start-ups and the retail giant claims that those delivery businesses are “not under the direction or control of Amazon.com.”
The Amazon system may be comprehensive, however is it not a “perfect” system. In actuality, this system creates the “perfect storm” of catastrophe, putting drivers and anyone in their respective paths at risk of an accident.