How often is there VTO at Amazon?

Tech

Posted on Feb 23, 2022   Updated on Feb 24, 2022, 11:22 am CST

No stranger to workplace controversy, Amazon is now under fire in a viral TikTok for its “Voluntary Time Off” policy at warehouses. 

VTO, or voluntary time off, is offered to most low-level warehouse employees at Amazon. It is an optional choice for employees to end their shifts early without getting paid. 

A viral TikTok posted this month by user Bando Lil Tay (@bandoliltay) has over 137,300 views. The video shows Lil Tay at an Amazon warehouse with the caption “when you just getting to work and as soon as you sign in you get that message on your screen.” 

The video then shows a message on a screen in the warehouse saying “yo come get this VTO better not tell anyone.” Lil Tay then shows himself leaving the warehouse, giving a peace sign. 

The video sparked controversy in the comments section. Many users expressed how tempting the VTO policy is. 

“I be breaking my ankles getting out that door,” one user commented. 

“My job has been offering VTO & I keep saying I need to stop taking it but when it comes available I take it,” another replied. 

“Man it’s hard to resist,” a third said. 

“Why do they do this??? Too many employees not enough work?” a fourth asked. 

According to a Medium story written by Will Romano, a journalist and former Amazon warehouse employee, warehouse workers are often offered VTO on “non-busy” days. 

But those who choose to stay—often because they cannot afford to take the day off—are apparently left to pick up the work of those who left for VTO. And sometimes, the day gets busier and harder to handle for those who are left behind.

“I and other wall builders were left hustling between multiple trailers—doing the work of two or three people at once—while Amazon paid one worker for it,” Romano wrote online, “We were forced to load boxes at a constant pace into the trucks where air-conditioning was nonexistent and temperatures often felt above 100 degrees.”

Not only is Amazon forcing employees left behind to take on extra “back-breaking” work, but they’re getting millions in tax breaks while doing it. 

Amazon makes deals with local governments to bring in jobs in exchange for substantial tax cuts. But when workers take VTO, it seems their employment may still count toward tax breaks even though Amazon is sending them home without pay. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t much information to be found online about the details of Amazon’s VTO policy. It’s unknown how often VTO is offered, how that translates to employment records, and how warehouses determine when to offer it. 

In the comments section of Lil Tay’s TikTok, users shared that they are often offered VTO multiple times a week. 

“I remember everyday over the summer they use to stay sending me vto requests,” one user said. 

“They be offering VTO a week in advance for the whole week,” a second user replied. 

“Ive been working at my new spot for 3 months and Ive only done 3 weeks of work,” a third said. 

“We’ve had VTO everyday the past three weeks and I’ve took advantage of everyday of it. Bad part the missed money. I’m tired!” another commented.

This is not the first time Amazon has been confronted for harsh workplace practices. It has also come under fire for punishing employees for using the bathroom; intrusive workplace surveillance; taxing physical labor; and short break times. 

The Daily Dot reached out to the Amazon press team via email and Bando Lil Tay via TikTok comment.

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*First Published: Feb 23, 2022, 3:24 pm CST

Grace Stanley

Grace Stanley is a reporter covering creators and influencers. They were previously the social media manager for Nautilus Magazine and attended the University of Texas at Austin.

If you are currently an employee or are planning to join AMZ, you must know the “Amazon VTO Policy”. This approach is one of the company’s top incentives that many people love and appreciate.

Why do so many people love it? Is this type of policy related to salary or not? What are the benefits of participating? All the answers will be right here. Read on for details!

• What Is The Current Amazon VTO Policy?
• Why Does Amazon Offer A VTO Policy?
• What Can AMZ Workers Do With VTO?
• How Do Amazon Workers Participate In Voluntary Time Off?
• Do Warehouse Employees Need To Join VTO?
• Does VTO Have Any Impact On Full-Time Employees?
• Conclusion

What Is The Current Amazon VTO Policy?

V-T-O (Voluntary Time Off) is a policy that allows warehouse workers to take “unpaid” leave without being penalized by relevant Amazon (AMZ) policies.

Amazon Voluntary Time Off is also a guideline geared toward efficiency in managing wages and benefits in their warehouse. Specifically, members of the workforce can flex their period off without worrying about having their benefits or wages cut.

There are a lot of valuable details surrounding this AMZ benefit. If you are inquisitive or are learning about this V-T-O policy, please continue to explore the following sections!

Why Does Amazon Offer A VTO Policy?

Besides benefits and salary, VTO Amazon is a great policy that allows workers to have more freedom to take leave or do their work without incurring benefits or status risks.

After workers finish their work before the deadline for the day, they can get Voluntary Time Off and leave early. This great policy is often offered to employees before busy holidays. This policy helps motivate employees to work better and take advantage of the excess period for their work or rest on sick days. 

In addition, this is also a method that AMZ uses to optimize costs and maximize work efficiency. This issue includes ensuring that employees have the period, support, and resources to carry out their work and daily life responsibilities. 

What Can AMZ Workers Do With VTO?

AMZ employees can utilize their Voluntary Time Off to do work related to personal reasons such as personal affairs, household errands, or childcare

Furthermore, workers can take advantage of V-T-O if there are visitors. Overall you can take advantage of any reason. Usually, Voluntary Time Off will come faster than weekly or monthly leave.

After you finish your work well early and can comfortably leave with V-T-O. This offer is great because you can enjoy some period off while still getting paid.

Especially V-T-O users will not be penalized, not be deducted other benefits and their accumulated leave balance. Whether to use Voluntary Time Off or not depends on their choice.

How Do Amazon Workers Participate In Voluntary Time Off?

V-T-O ​​options will vary between locations in the AMZ. Voluntary Time Off options depends highly on the number of employees and workload at those hubs because many centers will be busier than others.

This issue is pretty easy because AMZ encourages you to sign up for email or text alerts about receiving V-T-O opportunities when an offer is available. Remember to seize this opportunity to get the benefits for yourself quickly.

After receiving the notification, quickly register to participate. Register as soon as possible when the opportunity opens because these positions will often fill up quickly and run out of slots. 

In particular, the employee’s Voluntary Time Off will be stored separately from the leave and PTO.

Do Warehouse Employees Need To Join VTO?

Employees at AMZ have the right to participate or not participate, depending on their preferences. In particular, employers do not have to force their employees to reduce working hours.

In some cases, such as the number of employees assigned to more than the number of jobs, the excess period is obvious, so the company’s management will promote employees to use the benefits of Voluntary Time Off. 

If this benefit still has a slot, the notification will still be sent to you until the staff fully books it. 

In general, the period before the “winter vacation” will be when V-T-O is popular. The busyness of the last months of the year leaves most AMZ facilities with fewer opportunities for VTOs because more people demand them. 

In this case, although workers can do well and create optimization in the workload, the slot to benefit from Voluntary Time Off may be narrow. 

Does VTO Have Any Impact On Full-Time Employees?

“Unpaid period off” is always a top concern for workers because it can affect their benefits and pay.

The Voluntary Time Off offer appeared and alleviated workers’ concerns because those who work 40-hour/week and AMZ hourly workers who leave early are not punished. 

You can specifically understand that the V-T-O will allow you to take leave without affecting any personal benefits for both full-time and part-time workers. 

This form was born to optimize the salary costs for workers but also help them have the option to rest without fear of penalty.

It is essential to learn about AMZ policies and benefits if you are currently an employee or are planning to join the company.

Conclusion

If a person does not work, they will certainly have no money or deduct their salary. On the contrary, workers who work and leave early can rest comfortably without fear of affecting salary or benefits. Those are the great elements that Voluntary Time Off brings. That sounds great.

Does Amazon do VTO everyday?

Why is Amazon giving so much VTO?

Is there a limit to Amazon VTO?