Pros
There were some good employees, but most of them have left for other opportunities.
Cons
1. Lack of leadership - Many good executives left the company after the fire phone fiasco. 2. Passive aggressive culture - employees are attacked via "anytime feedback" provided to managers. When someone has a problem with you, they will tell your manager first, instead of telling you. 3. Relocation fee is a scam - I was promised a relocation fee of $3500. Before receiving the fee, Amazon deducted half as "Relo Advance" fee. After deducting taxes from the remaining half, I received only 10% of what they had promised me. When I left the company, Amazon demanded me to pay back the pro-rated relocation fee. When I told them that I had never received $3500 relocation fee, Amazon threatened me to pay it back. As a result, I paid $2000+ out of pocket after only receiving ~$200. I didn't know people can lose money from the relocation package. 4. No work/life balance - You are expected to be responsive at all times, even on weekends and nights. When you don't respond within a short time, things will get escalated very quickly up the management chain. 5. Frugality - Amazon cuts down on spending on their employees in many ways. No free lunch, no free snacks, high deductible medical insurance plans, economy-class flights only, even all international flights, employees receive only 5% of the stocks the first year 6. No women leadership at top - Everyone reporting to Jeff except one person (newly hired technical adviser) is a male. 7. No career opportunities - many people get stuck in the same position for years. Employees are also restricted from moving to a different team until they complete one year with the same team.
