Amazon Inclement Weather Policy (2022 Guide)

What is the Amazon inclement weather policy? Inclement weather conditions can make it difficult to travel or get around. They can also lead to dangerous driving conditions. In some cases, they can even cause power outages. Ensure you're prepared for inclement weather conditions by stocking up on supplies and staying informed about the latest forecast.

Amazon has an extensive set of policies to ensure the safety and well-being of both employees at their warehouses and those who work remotely from home or another location. These include rules about taking time off from work without permission, ensuring proper conduct through ethical practices like transparency with customers on pricing decisions, etc., even how much sleep you're allowed per week.

Amazon Inclement Weather Policy

Amazon fulfillment centers must monitor weather conditions and close facilities if the travel conditions are particularly dangerous. However, if conditions are worse for some employees than others, Amazon requires them to phone HR, and they will be required to use their UPT, which will later be returned.

Despite this policy, many employees feel that Amazon does not do enough to protect them from the dangers of inclement weather. Some have even said that Amazon puts profits over people, choosing to keep the centers open regardless of the danger it poses to employees. In light of these accusations, it is important to look at Amazon's history with inclement weather closures and how they have changed over time.

In 2014, an Amazon fulfillment center in Maryland closed due to inclement weather. Unlike the closures in 2001 and 2009, this closure was met with mixed reactions from employees. On the one hand, some employees were glad that Amazon finally had a policy that allowed them to work from home. However, other employees felt that the policy was too restrictive. That's because it required employees to have a laptop and internet connection to telecommute. In addition, the policy was only applicable to certain positions within the fulfillment center.

It's important to note that while Amazon has had several closures due to inclement weather, its policy has changed over time.

Does Amazon follow its inclement weather policy?

Despite what many people may think, Amazon does not always follow its Inclement Weather Policy. In fact, according to various staff members and sources, Amazon is not known to close facilities during bad weather conditions. For example, the Amazon Fulfillment Center stayed open during Hurricane Ida, and employees were still expected to come to work regardless of the streets flooding.

However, according to some Amazon staff, Amazon holds up their policy regarding employees being allowed to call into work during bad travel conditions such as heavy snow or ice. So, if you're expecting bad weather and are worried about making it to work on time, be sure to check with your Amazon supervisor beforehand. You'll know exactly what the expectations are and won't have to worry about it later.

Can Amazon employees refuse to work in bad weather?

Amazon employees can refuse work if weather conditions prevent them from safely arriving to work. This is because Amazon has a provision for staff members who have to miss work due to weather, allowing them to call HR and use their UPT (Unpaid Time Off) to account for their missed shift.

Additionally, Amazon will reimburse the employee for their UPT later on, preventing them from losing any eligible time off due to bad weather. In addition, in inclement weather, Amazon employees are permitted to use PTO (Paid Time Off). As a result, Amazon staff have various procedures that allow them to deal with missed work owing to bad weather.

Is it necessary for Amazon employees to schedule time off in inclement weather?

If you're an Amazon employee and can't make it to work due to bad weather, don't worry - you're not alone. Many people are unable to travel in hazardous conditions.

However, just because you can't make it into the office doesn't mean you can take the day off without consequences. If your local fulfillment center is still open despite the bad weather, you must call HR and let them know that you cannot come in.

You will need to book off either UPT or PTO to account for your absence. However, if you book off UPT, you will be refunded later. This prevents staff from losing their earned time off hours.

So, if you're unable to make it to work due to bad weather, be sure to book off UPT or PTO and let Amazon know. You don't want to risk losing any of your hard-earned time off.

Is it possible for Amazon Fire employees that are absent from work due to inclement weather?

Due to the severe weather conditions affecting many parts of the United States, many Amazon employees are likely wondering if they could be fired for missing work.

First and foremost, it is important to note that the laws regarding staff termination vary from state to state. Therefore, it is important to check with your local laws to see if your employer is within their rights to fire you for missing work in bad weather conditions.

In states such as Arkansas, the employer has to agree that weather conditions are too dangerous to drive or travel in and can refuse a call-in if they do not agree. Therefore, staff members concerned about the weather conditions in their area are encouraged to check their local laws regarding staff termination and communicate with their Amazon supervisor about their concerns.

Is Amazon a secure place to work during severe weather?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the safety of working for Amazon during bad weather conditions will depend on the individual fulfillment center. Some Amazon centers have remained open during floods and severe snowstorms, while others have been forced to close.

Potential employees are advised to read reviews of their local Amazon fulfillment center to understand what to expect. However, it is generally safe to say that staff is expected to show up for work if an Amazon center remains open during a bad weather event.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Amazon has a variety of procedures in place for dealing with staff absences owing to bad weather. Employees could use UPT or PTO to account for their missed shift and are refunded later on if they used UPT. In addition, Amazon employees can refuse work if weather conditions prevent them from safely arriving to work.

So, if you're an Amazon employee and find yourself unable to make it into the office due to inclement weather, be sure to take advantage of one of these provisions. You don't want to risk losing any of your hard-earned time off.

Amazon resources

• Amazon Background Check Policy
• Amazon Paid Holidays Policy
• Amazon UPT Policy
• Amazon Overtime Pay Policy
• Amazon Rehire Policy
• Does Amazon Give Pay Raises?
• How Much Does Amazon Make?
• What Age Does Amazon Hire?
• Amazon Employee Referral Bonus
• Amazon Employee Discount
• How to Pass a Mouth Swab Test for Amazon
• Amazon Dress Code
• Amazon Employee Discount
• Does Amazon Drug Test?
• Amazon VTO
• How to Quit Amazon
• Amazon Slogan

Favorite Resources

Our favorite resources are included below.

Job interview resources

• Common Interview Questions by Marquette University
• Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions by Marquette University
• Preparing for Job Interviews by the University of Kansas
• Mock Interview Handbook by CSUCI
• Interview Guidebook by Lebanon Valley College

Resume and cover letter resources

• Writing a Resume and Cover Letter by USC
• Resume Writing Tips by the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Resume and Cover Letter Guide by Harvard University

Job search resources

• Building and Engaging Your Network by UC Berkeley
• Career Ready Assessment by UC Berkeley

Interview Question and Answer Guide (PDF)

Download our full interview preparation guide. Complete with common interview questions and example answers. Free download. No email required.

Download PDF