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Public protest against Amazon

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Public protest against Amazon

#51

Post by galaxyLogic »

bitL wrote: post #23

It's funny how you often notice bullies getting promoted - is destruction of a low-level person a rite of passage for a middle manager to get ahead at many US corporations these days? I can imagine if they select for some dark-triad characteristics and going all-in, demonstrating cold/calculating/cruel moves while keeping paperwork clean signalizes the right person?

Bullies are often beneficial to the person they work under. That person can delegate unpleasant bullying-work to the bully and the bully will never bully his boss.

Re: Public protest against Amazon

#52

Post by mothsonasloth »

I used to think big tech companies like Amazon and Google would be different, however now I see they are just becoming like any older traditional corporation with a HR department functioning like the stasi and the ability to oppress through mass policies and hiring contracts.

We are lucky as developers to have a fairly easy way of life but I still follow my Grandpa's advice from years working in the shipyards of Glasgow:

* Never be loyal to a company unless its your own

* When things are good, think about leaving

* Keep your mouth shut and don't gossip

Re: Public protest against Amazon

#53

Post by org3432 »

RHSeeger wrote: post #26
org3432 wrote: post #12

This kind of retribution is pretty normal from the companies I've worked it, it's clumsy that it ended up in writing here and a bit more vicious than usual with a child involved. Normally it's done offline in private conversations or simply as something that's understood between like minded managers with passing comments. One manager I had was pretty candid about it, he said he couldn't find another job and was looki…

That seems like something you bring up with him to discuss if there's a way to avoid it; and then tape the whole discussion.

This is just how many managers are, the best approach is to just recognize them and avoid them as best you can.

Re: Public protest against Amazon

#54

Post by taurath »

komali2 wrote: post #19
lxe wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As intense these allegations are, someone on the Internet once said that it's best to keep these things offline until investigations/lawsuits are done. Is that true?

Well, yea, you can only hurt your case, not help it.

If your goal is a payout then best to keep quiet, but if your goal is an actual change in policy public shaming seems to be the only thing that works.

Re: Public protest against Amazon

#55

Post by bitL »

ameister14 wrote: post #11

Just wanted to point out that he's currently suing all of these people and the company for discrimination.

Hmm, it's a really bad strategy to go public including the names when a case is open. The author seems to be weak and needs to work on mental fortitude; that might be reason why he was so mercilessly exploited by his manager, as certain people can spot that from distance.

Re: Public protest against Amazon

#57

Post by morley »

forgotmypw3 wrote: post #13

I want to preface this comment with a statement that in no way am I trying to blame the victim here, only to point out what can be learned from this situation. This is certainly not the first time I've heard of Amazon being a shitty place to work at, and I don't see much reason to doubt the story of a vindictive boss doing everything they can to make an employee miserable after learning that the employee submitted ba…

Re #1: I realize this is the safest option for your own self-preservation, if you don't give negative feedback, how do you expect your work environment to change?

The way I see it, if you're in a bad situation at work, you have two options: try to change it, or leave. If you're going to leave anyway, why not at least try to improve your situation first so you give yourself the best chance of success? And that way, the company has the opportunity to remove or remediate a bad manager.

Basically, my reaction to your #1 is that it helps you avoid getting hurt by the worst possible scenario. But personally, I think it's a better strategy to maximize your chance at a good scenario.

Re: Public protest against Amazon

#58

Post by microcolonel »

t1o5 wrote: post #37
forgotmypw3 wrote: post #13

I want to preface this comment with a statement that in no way am I trying to blame the victim here, only to point out what can be learned from this situation. This is certainly not the first time I've heard of Amazon being a shitty place to work at, and I don't see much reason to doubt the story of a vindictive boss doing everything they can to make an employee miserable after learning that the employee submitted ba…

Re: Number 2: This is a common pattern in all big American companies. Hire an H1B, make the employee an indentured slave forever. H1B employées born in India and China have to wait 10+ years for a green card to break free from indentured servitude. While you can switch jobs on an H1B, it's risky and if it screws up, your queue position gets reset. Canada too have similar system called LMIA based Temporary closed work…

> Canada too have similar system called LMIA based Temporary closed work permit for skilled professionals. But the employee's permanent residency is not at the mercy of the employer in this case and it's fast too, in some cases within 4 months !

I have some experience with how LMIA is not perfect, but I was excited when the administration was openly considering copying it ~18 months ago, because it's hard to imagine anything between H1B and LMIA which is worse than H1B (whether from the perspective of a protectionist, a progressive, or a common liberal).

Re: Public protest against Amazon

#59

Post by aqme28 »

the-pigeon wrote: post #21
huhtenberg wrote: post #5

This really needs the second half of the story before we all get our trusty pitchforks and start making a shish-kebab from this Khan person.

The problem with this story is that it's more about an abusive boss at Amazon than Amazon. Any large company is going to have abusive individuals in it. I think the real issue this story illustrates is that when people are brought over on work visas they have no leverage with their employer. As an American citizen software engineer my boss knows that if I'm unhappy I will just leave. But the boss of someone on a work…

I disagree. A company's feedback system and HR should not be so ripe for retaliation or abuse.

Re: Public protest against Amazon

#60

Post by the_reformation »

roflchoppa wrote: post #40
huhtenberg wrote: post #5

This really needs the second half of the story before we all get our trusty pitchforks and start making a shish-kebab from this Khan person.

It sounds like “brown uncle” syndrome to me. I hear south-east Asian women complain about it all the time, as a male I don’t have to deal with it much, but fits the description.

What the hell is "brown uncle" syndrome?
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