Undercover at a Sortation Center

I went to work at a sortation center for $13/hr. Since I have been in a cubicle environment for many years, this is a really great change of pace. The physical tax on my body is real and the interaction with my coworkers is interesting. In this video, I leave you with some comments on human interaction and my views on how this relates to finances.

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[AUDIOAUTO]

So Amazon works you harder than you work yourself in your workouts and you quit in 2 days but call people lazy who cant quit.

[ladyForGod]

What does other peoples cars and eatting habits have anything to do with undercover amazon worker. . .

[Nathaniel_Peterson]

Your comment about the lazy people reminded me of the joke from Communist Russia: "They pretend to pay us, we pretend to work."

[roxanneyellowhorsejarred]

It's great you are feeling the "laborer" spirit while experimenting. You are taking away no one's job... You are unique with a special gift to help & educate ppl. Everything you do, there's always a hypothesis to it. Keep up the great work!

[iamconfusion]

What you're doing is actually very insightful, and I wish more people would be curious enough to try it. Kind of reminds me of that show, "Undercover Boss" - the world of minimum wage and blue collar jobs is completely different that some higher ups know. I recently left a job (after only 3 months) because I saw a pattern of nepotism an favoritism taking place, and I've often had people treat me worse because of my personality (I'm quiet and reserved, but a hard worker). My boss even refused to even give me an ID card even after I talked to him about it and found out that an employee who had been there less time already had hers and was getting overtime. There really isn't much respect given to workers in jobs like these, and it's a real shame because (most) of them work their butts off and are just trying to get by. And then there's always the lazy people who slip through the cracks and somehow don't get fired - or even worse, they get promoted. It's a huge drag on everyone who is actually doing their job.

[MelissaBrownapt]

Welcome to the vast lower class world of labor, where many things you observe appear to make little sense and where fellow laborers are often trying to do as little as possible, since for them this type of work is the end of the line. Also, reporting to the boss about anything, you will find, is not desirable. They don't want your reports, suggestions or complaints about anything - not even fellow employees, unless you catch them stealing. Otherwise, they just won't care. Don't try to shine intellectually, just be a robot moving boxes. That is all they literally want from you, to work well with others and be on time. DON'T ROCK THE BOAT  or try to make some outstanding process contribution. They  will resent you and the other workers will too. And if people see you speeding like a madman, they will think you're crazy, trying to win a promotion or something.

[TheMonkWay]

What if someone recognizes you from Youtube? Then work will be more awkward.

[PrettyINCs]

I really like these videos and your perspective on the job and the workers. Would you consider a series? Try getting a job at Walmart for the holiday season, or a fast food position. I think it might add unique angle to your financial advice.

[belenc.]

I have noticed that people who live on a lower income always try keeping up with the Joneses by purchasing cars they might not be able to afford

[VasoPerasLikodric]

There is one more thing thing that you did not see. How does it feel working this job for long time. You can try to understand feelings of people who needs to work this kind of job day in day out. You call them lazy. Did you think that maybe they are not motivated. They are coming there on their not second, not 22nd not 222nd but on their 2222nd shift. They do not expect anymore to be promoted or anything. They are there not to have social experiment. They are there because they need to buy some bread and milk, to pay some bills. Most of the are there because they need to, not particularly they want to.

You want to suggest better work process. Is that better work process better for everybody there. Will that work process increase workload of those workers. Will they need to do more for less amount of time. Will they hate you because of that.

About cheap cars, using bicycle is cheaper then using car, just any car. :)

[ProjectLee]

always do a good stretch before intense rigorous activity. it helps alleviate on the pains after. stretching after the activity is really good too. and if you do feel sore, try to flush out with plenty of veggies, water and rest.

[Myraisins]

Your observations are pretty much in line with what I expected. In a setting such as this, it's best not to outdo your lazy co workers because resentment builds up and they sometimes try to sabotage you. Same with the supervisors. They don't want any subordinates to appear to know more than they do. Basically the entire setting calls for dumbing-down and rarely encourages any growth. You won't be around long enough to experience that though. Oh, and the soreness will go away maybe after 10 or so days. And if you continue to work the same hours, with same effort, it will no longer be a "workout".

[simpletongeek]

Thank you for sharing. Really interesting! A few things: $5 pizza is cheap. My pizza is about $12-13, without any drink. The big box lazy person may have had some bad experience, either careless, or rule mongering boss. You want to ask them about it. Soreness doesn't really go away until one week. it helps to drink protein drink, a bottle per shift, to help your body rejuvenate. If you haven't done so, wear back brace belt. It helps you lift really heavy boxes without using too much of your back muscles, making you last longer.
You can ask for a new position after two weeks. They may not be able to give it to you immediately, but should be able to give you some kind of time frame when it will be. Ask another supervisor/manager if the person you're asking can't give you the timeframe by the next shift/day.

Looking forward to your next update. Thanks.

[sunnydazekicksrock]

You didn't tell me jack About the sortation job ..u keep rambling about nonsense wtf?

[hoseokblooms]

I was so dead sore during the first two weeks working there but I've gotten used to it and I no longer get sore UNLESS I'm scanning the labels onto the packages which is every so often

[MrCMPUTR]

The robots will slowly take away more and more of the pain.

[NANGSGARAGE]

The desire to learn something new is always good

[neilacruz]

I have worked in sortation center ....sometimes is not about being lazy. I have hurt my muscle chest so bad liffing heavy boxes. I took a week to heal.

[Lilapurple]

Poor people try to live like the rich, and reach people like to save in order to have more money. If you want to save money, you can learn it from the rich people. Poor people often stay poor because they try to live like the rich but have to use their credit card to buy a fancy car, etc and end up being in depth.

[janefromthecountry]

If you get a short term job @ Walmart, you could explain why they have a hard time attracting associates, and other insights...you could try it for 4 weeks...