3 lessons from the Amazon takedown

Fortune: 

The recent profile of Amazon’s culture shows us that leaders aren’t always what they seem, money trumps human comfort, and harried workers may have themselves to blame.

The recent New York Times profile of Amazon.comdescribing its relentless, high-pressure, measurement-obsessed culture is scarcely the first to depict what it is like to work there, either in its warehouses or its offices. While CEO Jeff Bezos has denied (no surprise) the accuracy of the reporting, a quick Web search reveals numerous articles painting a picture remarkably consistent with this most recent portrayal: Amazon is a tough place to work, Bezos is famous for his temper and put-downs of employees, and many people who cannot stand the stress and pressure leave.

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Stress induced by long work hours, the insecurity that derives from having one’s job continually at risk, and work-family conflict such as that detailed in the Times account, induces unhealthy behaviors and produces negative health consequences. A recent study estimated that there were approximately 120,000 excess deaths and $190 billion in additional health care costs annually in the U.S. due to work-related stress.

But in today’s business world, there seems to be precious little concern about employees’ well-being. Companies have steadfastly cut health insurance benefits, pensions, and jobs—systematically transferring risks and costs to their workforces, even as they increase the use of contractors who receive no benefits at all.

Read the whole story: Fortune