Amazon Drivers Reportedly Face Ban on Singing & Lip-Syncing at Work

Imagine cruising down the street, belting out your favorite tunes as you make your daily deliveries. For Amazon drivers, this simple pleasure is now a thing of the past.

In a bizarre move that has left many scratching their heads, the e-commerce giant has reportedly banned its delivery drivers from moving their lips too much while on the job. That’s right, folks – no more singing along to your favorite radio hits or even mouthing the words to a catchy jingle.

The Controversial Policy

According to an anonymous Reddit post, Amazon delivery drivers are now prohibited from “singing, whistling, or moving [their] lips in any manner not required for safe operation of the vehicle.”

The alleged policy change has sparked outrage among drivers and labor advocates, who argue that it is an unreasonable and demeaning restriction on workers’ personal freedoms. (ref)

However, the validity of this claim has been called into question. An Amazon spokesperson denied the existence of such a policy, stating that the company has “never issued guidance or communications to Delivery Service Partners that prohibits singing in the vehicle.” 

Despite this denial, concerns about Amazon’s treatment of its delivery drivers persist.

Working Conditions & Surveillance

The lip-syncing controversy sheds light on the challenging working conditions faced by Amazon’s delivery drivers. Long hours, high delivery quotas, and constant surveillance have increased stress and burnout among these essential workers.

Drivers report being underpaid and having to urinate in bottles in their vehicles to keep up with delivery rates. 

A driver for an Amazon delivery service provider in Portland, Oregon expressed concerns over the surveillance cameras being installed in delivery vehicles, as she often has to use the bathroom in the van due to the lack of available public restrooms and pressure against taking time off routes to use them. (ref)

Amazon uses AI-powered cameras built by tech firm Netradyne in its delivery vans to monitor drivers. These cameras record “100% of the time” and are supposed to identify dangerous behavior, like if a driver is yawning or checking their phone. 

While Amazon defends the technology as a safety measure, critics argue it is an invasive form of micro-management that can lead to unfair disciplinary action.

Unionization Efforts & Legal Battles

As working conditions come under scrutiny, Amazon drivers are seeking to unionize with the help of the Teamsters Union.

The labor group represents UPS drivers and has been working to organize Amazon drivers around the US over concerns about the retail giant’s impact on the transportation industry and the use of subcontractors.

In a significant development, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently determined that Amazon is a joint employer of subcontracted drivers who delivered packages for the company in California. 

This decision pushes back on Amazon’s claims that the drivers are not its employees and could force the company to come to the bargaining table if drivers opt to unionize. (ref)

Amazon drivers at the DIL7 delivery station in Skokie, Illinois went on strike in June 2024, demanding that Amazon recognize and bargain with their union after a majority of the workforce signed union cards. 

The strike was in response to Amazon terminating the contract of the delivery service partner that employed the drivers, which the Teamsters allege was illegal retaliation for unionizing.

The Future of Amazon Delivery Drivers

It remains to be seen how Amazon will address the concerns raised by its drivers and clarify its stance on working conditions and unionization. With mounting pressure from labor advocates, lawmakers, and regulatory agencies like the NLRB, change may be on the horizon for Amazon’s delivery workforce.

For now, drivers across the country continue to face the challenges of a demanding job while fighting for fair treatment and the right to collectively bargain. Whether lip-syncing behind the wheel or advocating for better working conditions, Amazon’s delivery drivers are making their voices heard.