In silly new “Safety Procedure” – Amazon tells Flex drivers to take their temperature before starting a shift

In the latest email sent out to Flex delivery contractors Amazon has announced what many consider to be a silly new safety procedure. Amazon is putting it’s trust in drivers and asking them to take their temperature before starting a delivery block. This will be “enforced” by the Amazon Flex app where drivers will confirm that they don’t have a fever exceeding 100.4°F.

The Problem

We appreciate that Amazon is taking safety measures and COVID-19 is no joking matter. However, the reason why this newly implemented safety procedure is being scoffed at across social media by Amazon Flex drivers is because we know many drivers will not do it. Either because they don’t want to or because thermometers are sold out in almost every store!

Seems like Amazon is trying to cover their asses with this new safety procedure. If a Flex driver does end up infecting people.. welp .. not Amazon’s fault. They asked every driver to take their temp and confirm they’re not sick before delivering!

The problem is that people have bills to pay and mouths to feed. We know damn well that some drivers will ignore this safety measure and they may even go out to work while sick.

Suggestion

Amazon should be passing out masks and thermometers to every driver that comes through the warehouse. There’s no way they can trust every driver to be responsible enough or even have the means to take their temperature before starting a block. It’s not realistic.

Amazon should also increase the base rate for offers significantly! Flex drivers are out there risking their health and the health of the people closest to them and yet we’re expected to accept the same pay as when there wasn’t a global pandemic.

We plead with Flex drivers to take these safety measures seriously, and don’t go out to deliver while sick. If Amazon really expects each driver to take their temperature before a shift then they need to pass out thermometers, because they’re sold out in all the stores.

The time for sillyness is over. Amazon needs to get serious about protecting warehouse employees and drivers otherwise they may not make it as a company out of the other end of this global pandemic. As drivers we already know we have to look out for ourselves and each other, be safe and flex on!