A striking post by a former Amazon delivery driver has gone viral after the individual quit the job within a week, describing working for the company as “a joke.” Shared on a public forum, the anonymous account sheds light on the immense pressures faced by new hires working under third-party Delivery Service Partners (DSPs).
Gruelling Workload and Rapid Burnout
According to the post, the worker—hired through a DSP—had no prior experience in delivery and only one day of shadow training. By the third day, they were assigned a route with 220 stops and 250 packages, including a 35‑package overflow, in a densely congested urban area under 38 °C (100 °F) heat. The driver noted extreme physical fatigue, recalling, “I would come home so achy in my legs, I could barely walk.” Despite the promises of easier “nursery routes” for newcomers, those were never assigned.
No Support or Accommodation
Dispatch repeatedly called to question delays after only a few minutes of lateness, yet the worker received no guidance or support. Instead, the DSP sent them home early and reassigned the remaining route. The individual felt the situation was set up to fail, stating, “I just felt like they were setting me up for failure.”
Culture of High Attrition
In training, the driver claims they were told most new hires don’t last more than a week—and that Amazon didn’t care because there were always others waiting to take over. The post concludes: “Amazon is a joke to work for anyways.”
Online Reactions Amplify the Message
Social media users quickly resonated with the experience. One commenter echoed the sentiment that such treatment is normal:
“Amazon is a joke to work for anyways.”
Others shared similar experiences of being assigned overwhelming routes mistaken for ones meant for experienced drivers. ET Now+12Financial Express+12Financial Express+12
Reddit discussions among Amazon DSP delivery drivers and fulfillment center (FC) staff further highlight the high turnover environment. Many report that more than 50% of new hires quit within their first week, especially during peak hiring periods. One Redditor noted:
“None of the people I started with are at work anymore. 90% quit the first week and the last remaining ones eventually disappeared.”
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Broader Culture and Industry Critique
This incident fits into a larger narrative concerning Amazon’s workplace culture. Public posts from current and former corporate employees—such as one by LinkedIn user Stephanie Ramos—have criticized the company for bureaucratic inefficiencies, pointless meetings, and lack of leadership clarity under CEO Andy Jassy. Many warn of a stifling environment with limited flexibility.
Ex-managers have also alleged pressure to meet attrition targets, with reports of strategic incentives for employees to quit. Meanwhile, surveys suggest low morale tied to rigid return-to-office mandates and relocation demands. Some report contemplating resignation rather than abiding by inflexible schedules.
Implications Beyond One Worker
The viral resignation shines a spotlight on broader challenges within Amazon’s labor ecosystem, particularly among DSP-run delivery services. It underscores issues such as:
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Insufficient onboarding and training
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Excessive workloads assigned to inexperienced employees
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High early attrition as a normalized cost of operations
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Minimal support systems to retain staff under pressure
Closing Thoughts
The post captures both an individual’s ordeal and a pattern echoed across online forums and media: high turnover, burnout, and public frustration with working conditions. While Amazon continues to expand its delivery promise, critics argue that the resilience of its workforce should not come at the cost of safety, support, and dignity for its workers.
This incident, fueled by widespread online resonance, is likely to draw continued scrutiny toward Amazon’s employment practices—especially under the DSP model where onboarding, support, and retention are highly variable.
