With all this hype about the recent NYT article about Amazon, I feel compelled to share my experience as a proud Amazonian. An Amazonian who has been able to build a satisfying career at Amazon, while having to deal with personal challenges along the way. I have been working here since early 2014 and in the last 20 months, I have had the opportunity to work on many exciting aspects of the business, to work with some of the brightest brains and above all to keep learning and growing. Somewhere along this journey, I also had to deal with a huge personal blow. A year back, I lost my father to a terminal disease. It was perhaps the most challenging phase in my life and it was expectedly hard to focus on much else. I took some days off and requested to work from my hometown for the days that followed. As soon as I informed my team and my manager, I received nothing but unconditional support. I was told to take as much time off as I needed to be with my family. Within a day, I was sent white flowers with a note that read ‘We are with you during these tough times’. Most of the senior leaders I had worked with sent me notes asking how I was doing. My peers covered for me until I was fit to be back at work. The management and colleagues did not HAVE to react this way, but they chose to do so. It only made me value my job and workplace more.
A few weeks back, I was ill and
was subsequently ordered to take time off work. Again, my experience was no
different. The support and understanding I have received here during hard times
is nothing short of amazing.
I would describe Amazon as fast paced yet understanding,
challenging yet fun and smart yet humble – an organization I am proud to be a part
of!
