With 950,000 employees across the United States, Amazon is a significant employer. However, the company is infamous for its stringent employee policies and some alleged unethical practices. As a result, potential employees and shoppers may question Amazon’s ethical policies and how they impact their workforce. If you’re curious about Amazon’s ethical standards, continue reading this article to discover what I’ve uncovered.
Amazon Ethics Policy In 2023
In 2023, Amazon’s ethics policy focuses on creating a secure and healthy workplace that is free from harassment and danger. They aim to provide their staff with the freedom to perform their job duties without any impediments. Furthermore, their policy strongly discourages any conduct that may be detrimental to their employees or customers’ well-being.
To explore Amazon’s ethics department, their adherence to their Ethics Code of Conduct, and their overall ethical practices, continue reading for insightful facts, tips, and information.
Is Amazon an Ethical Company?
Amazon has faced criticism for its treatment of employees, leading many customers and staff to perceive the company as unethical. Nevertheless, the company is actively involved in various ethical causes such as the Climate Pledge, supporting racial equality, and offering assistance to disabled individuals and STEM programs.
Although Amazon has work to do regarding internal ethics, the company’s contributions to ethical causes have improved its standing within the e-commerce community. However, customers and potential employees should recognize that Amazon’s workplace may not be regarded as ethical due to its negative reputation, despite the company’s external efforts.
Does Amazon Have Ethical Issues?
Although Amazon supports ethical causes outside of the workplace, former employees, current staff members, and other businesses have raised concerns about ongoing ethical issues within the company.
For example, Amazon has a reputation for avoiding taxes and taking advantage of legal loopholes to lower its tax bill. In 2011, Amazon generated 2.9 billion pounds in the UK but only paid 1.8 million pounds in taxes, leading to a boycott by some ethics-based companies. While Amazon’s tax practices may not be illegal, they are often considered unethical as they pay significantly less tax than their revenue would suggest.
Moreover, Amazon has faced criticism for its environmental practices. The company’s sustainability reports often omit the environmental impact of many of its products and textiles, indicating a lack of understanding of their primary impacts. Furthermore, Amazon permits the sale of animal products such as furs that have been produced through cruel and unethical practices.
In conclusion, despite Amazon’s participation in some ethical causes, the company still needs to address its internal ethical issues.
Does Amazon Have an Ethics Department?
Amazon has an ethics team that operates under its legal department, established in 1996. The company’s Business Code of Conduct and Ethics emphasizes the importance of lawful, ethical behavior that serves Amazon’s best interests.
Amazon encourages individuals to report any illegal or unethical behavior to their legal department. While the system is primarily intended for employees, customers and business partners can also utilize it.
What is Included in Amazon’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics?
Amazon’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covers various topics, including:
- Compliance with Laws, Rules, and Regulations
- Conflicts of Interest
- Insider Trading Policy
- Discrimination and Harassment
- Health and Safety
- Price Fixing
- Bribery; Payments to Government Personnel
- Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Financial Integrity
- Questions; Reporting Violations
- Periodic Certification
- Board of Directors
- Waivers
Each category has specific statements and regulations that reflect Amazon’s stance on the subject. For instance, Amazon’s discrimination policy ensures equal opportunities in all areas of employment and prohibits illegal discrimination or harassment. Furthermore, Amazon’s policy forbids bribery of any kind to retain business.
The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics also contains a comprehensive list of ethical policies that employees must follow consistently.
Does Amazon Follow Its Ethics Code of Conduct?
Although Amazon has established detailed policies for employees to follow, some individuals, including staff members, have observed that the company does not always adhere to its Code of Conduct.
For instance, in 2020, Amazon was sued for discrimination and civil rights violations, directly contradicting its policy of not tolerating illegal discrimination. The lawsuit claimed that Amazon jeopardized the safety of people from certain ethnic backgrounds while favoring white employees in terms of certain health risks and practices.
Therefore, despite Amazon’s efforts to uphold its ethics policy, the company does not consistently adhere to its individual policies. As a result, some employees and customers consider Amazon to be an unethical company.
Does Amazon Have an Ethics Hotline?
Despite areas for improvement in ethical practices, Amazon does offer an Ethics Hotline for its employees to report any misconduct or illegal behavior that violates the company’s ethics policy. Customers and staff members can contact Amazon’s ethics hotline at 1-877-781-2416 to report an incident.
Also Read: Amazon Ebook Return Policy
Conclusion
In conclusion, Amazon’s ethics policy emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and prohibiting illegal discrimination, bribery, insider trading, and other unethical practices within the company. Moreover, Amazon offers an ethics hotline for employees and customers to report any incidents that contravene the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
References:
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/company-profile/amazoncom-inc
https://sites.google.com/a/email.vccs.edu/amazon-com-bus100-portfolio/home/ethics-statement
https://ir.aboutamazon.com/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters/code-of-business-conduct-and-ethics/default.aspx
https://remake.world/stories/news/amazon-products-arent-sustainable-ethical-or-the-most-affordable-so-why-are-we-continuing-to-buy-them/
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