Amazon is facing a substantial fine of nearly $6 million from the California Labor Commissioner's office, stemming from alleged violations of state labor laws designed to protect warehouse workers.
California Fines Amazon for Alleged Labor Law Violations
The penalty, totaling $5,901,700, was imposed under California's AB-701 law, which mandates that large companies, including Amazon, must inform warehouse and distribution center workers of their expected work quotas in writing.
That includes detailing the frequency of tasks, potential consequences for not meeting quotas, and ensuring compliance with breaks and safety standards. The AB-701 law, enacted in 2021, was crafted in response to reports from Amazon employees who claimed they were compelled to forgo bathroom breaks or risk injury to meet productivity targets.
It aims to curb practices that could increase pressure on workers and potentially violate their rights. According to the Labor Commissioner's statement, Amazon failed to adhere to the requirements of the Warehouse Quotas law at its facilities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Specifically, the commissioner's office cited violations at distribution centers located in Moreno Valley and Redlands. These infractions centered on Amazon's alleged failure to provide employees with clear, written notices detailing work quotas, task frequencies, and associated disciplinary measures for failing to meet these targets.
Peer-to-Peer Evaluation System of Amazon
Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower highlighted concerns over Amazon's use of a peer-to-peer evaluation system in place of formally disclosed quotas. Such systems, she argued, could subject workers to intensified work pressures, potentially leading to higher injury rates and other violations.
The AB-701 law explicitly defines quotas as work that must be completed at specified speeds, with repercussions for non-compliance. It also includes safeguards to protect workers' rights to breaks, restroom use, and adherence to occupational health and safety regulations.
The Labor Commissioner's investigation, which commenced on September 22, 2022, revealed 59,017 violations across Amazon's Moreno Valley and Redlands warehouses from October 20, 2023, to March 9, 2024.
These findings prompted penalties under Labor Code 2699(f), which imposes fines of $100 per violation. Assisting in the investigation was the Warehouse Worker Resource Center (WWRC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving working conditions within Southern California's warehouse industry.
The AB-701 law, which took effect on January 1, 2022, represents a significant legislative response to bolster worker protections in California's dynamic labor landscape.
It reflects ongoing efforts by the Labor Commissioner's Office to educate both workers and employers on their legal rights and responsibilities through initiatives like the "Reaching Every Californian" campaign, launched in 2020.
Amazon's Response
Amazon spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel told Engadget that the company refutes the allegations and has already filed appeals against the fines. Vogel claims that Amazon does not enforce fixed quotas, emphasizing instead that individual performance evaluations are conducted over extended periods, considering the overall team performance at each site.
According to the spokesperson, employees are encouraged to assess their performance at their discretion and can seek assistance from managers if they encounter difficulties accessing information.
