6 ms·

Oh my gawd, a 2% match? Doesn't that violate some UN human rights convention?! </s> It's reasonable to compare their comp package to their competitors, especia

Oh my gawd, a 2% match? Doesn't that violate some UN human rights convention?! </s> It's reasonable to compare their comp package to their competitors, especially if you're considering working there. But calling the tax-advantaged retirement plan that gives you free money "brutal" is just whinging.

omouse 11y ago
I get a 5% match with a group RRSP at work and I'm at a small non-profit company. Most tech companies don't even offer an RRSP in Canada.
- TylerE 11y ago
  That's surprising. Here in the US non-profits aren't allowed to match at all.
  - tomkinstinch 11y ago
    > That's surprising. Here in the US non-profits aren't allowed to match at all. I'm not sure that's correct. I'm at a 501(c)3 in Boston and receive a 401k match up to 6%, fully vested at each monthly grant. According to this[1] IRS doc it looks like 401(k) plans and matching can be used by any non-governmental employer. 1. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4484.pdf http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4484.pdf
  - binxbolling 11y ago
    No. Non-profits in the US can match whether it's a 401(k) or a 403(b).
  - facetube 11y ago
    Not correct. Source: work for a non-profit with a matching 401(k) program.
eternalban 11y ago
Love to know the actual reason for this coordinated attack on Amazon. What's about Seattle based software companies and irritated established interests? /(a big) wink
- eternalban 11y ago
  Instead of downvoting you may want to reflect on the fact that an actual story [1] got buried in 'Tech' section of the paper of record and the hear-say attack piece on Amazon went straight to front page. Front page of NYTimes is a very (very) politically hot space, don't you think? /another big wink ;) [1]: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/technology/engineers-allege-hiring-collusion-in-silicon-valley.html http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/technology/engineers-alleg...
  - gress 11y ago
    Instead of innuendo - why not just state who you think is behind this and what evidence you have?
- spacecowboy_lon 11y ago
  Sometimes one company becomes the whiping boy for the bad behavior of the majority - and if your hitting major publishers where it hurts its a good idea not to give them any ammunition. Amazon just have to hope that Rupert Murdoch doesn't go after them
- Someone1234 11y ago
  There have been whisperings about Amazon's work culture for many years. I know I've read complaints from tech employees on social media for the longest time. I've also seen several articles about their warehouse employees and what they go through. I think the reason you're seeing so many articles about it recently is that there is "blood in the water." And people love to bandwagon in the media in general, but in tech media especially. I do think Amazon's work culture deserves some discussion, but will agree that at some point there is only so much you can say about it before you have to move on. Bringing up the 401K in particular just seems like a "me too!" article, with nothing specific to add to the discussion (i.e. this could have been a footnote in a full article on the topic). The CEO (and other executives) coming out and saying "everything is wonderful at Amazon, I never see anyone upset!" (paraphrasing) only added fuel to the fire as it seemed so totally out of touch almost to the point of being laughable. That's what turned this from a small fire into a raging one (plus they love to try and humble CEOs).
s73v3r 11y ago
No, it isn't. We're not serfs. If they have shitty benefits, they should be called on it.

omouse 11y ago

I get a 5% match with a group RRSP at work and I'm at a small non-profit company. Most tech companies don't even offer an RRSP in Canada.

TylerE 11y ago
That's surprising. Here in the US non-profits aren't allowed to match at all.
- tomkinstinch 11y ago
  > That's surprising. Here in the US non-profits aren't allowed to match at all. I'm not sure that's correct. I'm at a 501(c)3 in Boston and receive a 401k match up to 6%, fully vested at each monthly grant. According to this[1] IRS doc it looks like 401(k) plans and matching can be used by any non-governmental employer. 1. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4484.pdf http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4484.pdf
- binxbolling 11y ago
  No. Non-profits in the US can match whether it's a 401(k) or a 403(b).
- facetube 11y ago
  Not correct. Source: work for a non-profit with a matching 401(k) program.

eternalban 11y ago

Love to know the actual reason for this coordinated attack on Amazon. What's about Seattle based software companies and irritated established interests? /(a big) wink

eternalban 11y ago
Instead of downvoting you may want to reflect on the fact that an actual story [1] got buried in 'Tech' section of the paper of record and the hear-say attack piece on Amazon went straight to front page. Front page of NYTimes is a very (very) politically hot space, don't you think? /another big wink ;) [1]: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/technology/engineers-allege-hiring-collusion-in-silicon-valley.html http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/technology/engineers-alleg...
- gress 11y ago
  Instead of innuendo - why not just state who you think is behind this and what evidence you have?
spacecowboy_lon 11y ago
Sometimes one company becomes the whiping boy for the bad behavior of the majority - and if your hitting major publishers where it hurts its a good idea not to give them any ammunition. Amazon just have to hope that Rupert Murdoch doesn't go after them
Someone1234 11y ago
There have been whisperings about Amazon's work culture for many years. I know I've read complaints from tech employees on social media for the longest time. I've also seen several articles about their warehouse employees and what they go through. I think the reason you're seeing so many articles about it recently is that there is "blood in the water." And people love to bandwagon in the media in general, but in tech media especially. I do think Amazon's work culture deserves some discussion, but will agree that at some point there is only so much you can say about it before you have to move on. Bringing up the 401K in particular just seems like a "me too!" article, with nothing specific to add to the discussion (i.e. this could have been a footnote in a full article on the topic). The CEO (and other executives) coming out and saying "everything is wonderful at Amazon, I never see anyone upset!" (paraphrasing) only added fuel to the fire as it seemed so totally out of touch almost to the point of being laughable. That's what turned this from a small fire into a raging one (plus they love to try and humble CEOs).

s73v3r 11y ago

No, it isn't. We're not serfs. If they have shitty benefits, they should be called on it.