Amazon announced plans to hire over 150,000 workers in October 2022 along with a $3,000 sign-on bonus to be awarded in some sites.
This information was disbursed through news outlets as well as the Amazon A to Z app – which is a work management app used by Amazon hourly employees.
Who is Eligible?
This bonus offer is only available for new or returning associates. Senior employees – L4 and above – are also eligible for sign-on bonuses (which are much higher than those for T1 associates).
Employees already working at Amazon are not entitled to the bonus, unfortunately.
Why is Amazon Giving Sign-on Bonuses?
Amazon has been struggling with labor shortages in its supply chain operations. The bonuses are a way to attract both new and former employees.
There is a lot of competition for workers in the job market and businesses, both large and small, are paying a premium to attract employees.
A lot of service industry businesses such as restaurants have been losing their workforce to both Amazon and other supply chain companies that offer more competitive wages.
With peak season approaching (Thanksgiving to January), Amazon wants to ensure that they have enough workers to meet demand.
December is usually one of the busiest months at Amazon facilities, with many workers being forced to work overtime – a policy referred to as Mandatory Extra Time (MET).
Details of the Bonus
The bonus pay ranges from $1000 up to $3000 in most cases. However, some locations are offering as much as $5000 for T1 associates.
For former Amazon associates, notifications were sent out via email announcing the sign-on bonus opportunities.
Not all Amazon facilities are participating in this program; some facilities have not announced any sign-on bonuses for a long time.
Sign-on Bonus for Higher Positions
For L4+ employees such as area managers, sign-on bonuses work a bit differently. In many locations, the bonus is around $5000 and upwards in the first year and $2000+ in the second year.
Bonuses are paid out in lump sum for the first year (Year 1) on the first paycheck. In the second year (Year 2), they are paid out in installments.
Unlike bonuses for entry-level employees, L4+ employees have to pay back the bonus if they quit too early, i.e., in case they quit before the end of the first year of employment and have received the Year 1 bonus or they quit before the end of the second year and have received the Year 2 bonus.
If you can’t pay back the whole amount at once, you can arrange to have a repayment plan with the company.
Taxes
Sign-on bonuses are subject to federal and state taxes which will depend on where you fall in the tax bracket.
Bonuses are taxed higher than your regular pay. For example in California, they are taxed at almost 50%.
Payout Installments
The bonuses are not paid out at once (as a lump sum) for T1 associates but are distributed over weeks and months. This is most likely to prevent associates from quitting immediately after getting the bonus.
For locations paying a $3000 bonus, the funds are distributed as follows:
- $1000 after 30 days
- $2000 after 180 days.
For some locations paying $2000 in sign-on bonuses, the funds are distributed as follows:
- $500 after first week
- $500 after 30 days
- $1000 after 90 days from start date
For locations paying $1000, the payout is as follows:
- $500 after a month
- $500 after 90 days from start date
These are just the common payout schedules. They might be different from the examples shown in some locations.
How the Sign-on Bonus Works
Can you quit and rejoin Amazon to get the bonus? There are plenty of rehires who have gotten the bonus after going back to Amazon.
Keep in mind that you might not be immediately eligible for rehire after resigning from Amazon. It can take up to a year before you get hired back in some cases.
Changing your shift schedule and start date may be grounds for losing the bonus. This is because in many cases, the bonus and bonus amount are contingent on the shift hours and hire date.
The bonus amount may be different depending on your schedule. For example, in some locations, night shift workers get $3000 and morning shift associates get $1000. Be sure to check the shift you are applying for and the corresponding bonus amount.
Transfer associates – those moving from one facility to another – are not eligible for the bonus.
What if you never got your bonus? If you applied while the bonus offer was still ongoing but haven’t gotten your bonus after the payout date has passed, reach out to your local HR office or call the employee resource center (ERC). You can find the ERC number at the bottom of the A to Z app.
The bonus doesn’t always drop immediately after the 90 or 180 days. It can take up to a week longer.
Other Bonuses
Some Amazon facilities also have a referral bonus where associates can get paid as much as $500 for referring someone to the job. Referred candidates must put down the referee’s details (i.e. their Amazon login username) during the application process.
For the referee to get the bonus payout, the new hire must have worked at Amazon for at least 60 days in most cases.
In some countries such as the UK, Amazon is giving out a weekly attendance bonus of £50 to £100. The requirements for the bonus are showing up on time and having perfect attendance.
Other Companies Offering Sign-on Bonus
Due to increased competition from Amazon, other companies with warehouse operations are also offering sign-on bonuses for new warehouse employees.
If you are interested in checking out alternatives to Amazon, here is a curated list of warehouse jobs that have sign-on bonuses.
Joined Amazon instead of FedEx bc of their sign on bonus, almost two months later, never seen it and no one will tell me anything about it
haha had the same experience, I even called corporate Amazon and the employee acted like she knew nothing about bonuses. And she might be telling the truth because they probably hired her a week before me.
I also am having the same issues but when I filled out the application I took pictures of it showing a 3,000 bonus, I asked durring onboarding and got the same info you see here 1k after 30, 2 after 6 months. worked there now 2 months. 4 conversations with PXT HR, 3 emails, and the last call with ERC who stated and I have it all recorded. They do it to lure in new employees…. Class Action? I am defiantly speaking to Steve Romines who is one of the best lawyers in KY.
Ill be talking to a lawyer too. To have to search online to get the details and they can’t even show you where we agreed with these terms. None of the disbursement dates are available for employees to find.
How many hours a week do I need to work to get the bonus?
Hi Victor, Amazon doesn’t count the number of hours but the number of days you’ve worked (assuming you are full time), i.e., 90 days to get the full pay out.
Do part time employees get the bonus? I signed up for 16 hours a week because I already have a full time job, but now when I tried to add more hours I can’t find any shifts available… tommorow is my first day
Hi Victor, it really depends on the specific site and the terms of your offer. If your offer states that you will get a sign-on bonus then you’ll get it. Also, look through your email for the “contingent offer” from Amazon. If it states that you’ll get a bonus then you can expect to get it.
For more info, make sure to call the ERC. Their number is at the bottom of the A to Z app.
Ok I meant to say do part time workers get the bonus?
Is it 30 actually working days before your eligible for the bonus?
Hi Dustin! The 30 days do not exclude your weekends or holidays. It is the total number of days since you got hired. Hope that helps.
I have a question. Who do you talk to when you get screwed out of the bonus by HR and ERC and then have to show proof that it was there at the fraudulent hiring event you attended?
Did you ever figure it out? I’m having the same issue
What if you were hired as a seasonal worker and by chance they let you go before the 30 day?
Hi Pam! Unfortunately, if you do not meet the requirements set out to receive the bonus (such as minimum number of days worked), you may not be able to get it.
Hi! I’m currently a flex employee at Amazon. I have been there since the end of January this year. I did successfully receive my 1000 dollar bonus the next weekly paycheck after my 30 days. I’m currently working on the 2nd half of my bonus which would be 180 days, I’m half way there !!!!
I was told when hired I received 1000$ after one month sign on bonus and 2000$ after the next 60 days …..then when I resigned I was told I would not receive my bonus the 2000 until 6 months later The individual who did my hiring actually lied to me and unfortunately I believed him without receiving anything in writing…and questioned the information given to me twice about the sign on bonus …..very poor treatment to the employees hired at Amazon.
Sharon, you are right. I was told the same thing at first. Only to find out it was changed to 6months after the three months
Any bonus varies with location. We early December hires heard (in orientation) 30 days for $1k and 90 for the final $2k. Other coworkers related that their experience was that they saw was no bonus payout at 90 days. All follow up inquiries indicate that ya needs 6 months service before qualifying for the final installment of $2000.
What happens if you work 30+ days, get the first $1000.00 bonus and quit shortly after that. Do you have to pay back the bonus that you did get?
Hi Bryan! No, you do not have to pay it back.
What if you got your first half of your bonus and your second one is coming up but your out on sick time will you still get the second half ?
Hi Tre! As long as you are still employed at Amazon, you should get your bonus.
The offer was a scam. I took a job there because of the bonus and never got paid. Created a case, was told I didn’t qualify for the bonus but they’d reconsider if I had proof I was offered the bonus. Sent my offer email which said I would receive an bonus. They created an “event” and closed the case. Have never heard back on the “event.” Several people in my building who got hired under same circumstances are without a bonus, and we’ve gotten different excuses as to why we haven’t been paid. Seems to me like it was all a marketing ruse to get employees and they seem to have never intended to pay most of those bonuses.
Do you know where you can find that information, where it said 60 days and 90 days? I am having the same situation as you. I’m currently going to take this case as a matter.
I applied at amazon w the 3k sign on bonus only got 1k after the first 30 days it has now been almost 6 months and no sign of the 2k they said April but I want to change my schedule to flex . Bc i got promoted at a different job . Will I still get my bonus if I change from full time to flex ???
Hi Yahaira, I believe you have to be on the same schedule you were hired on to get the bonus but please confirm with your site’s HR desk.
i got my first $1000 after 30 days, do i receive the other $2000 after 60 more days or do i have to complete 6 months of employment
Hi Darryl, that is location-dependent. Please confirm with your site’s HR desk.
I am set to hit my six month mark on april 4th but have to take a leave of absence for a surgery I’m having will I still get my bonus if I’m still employed but not currently working??
Hi Tiffany, I believe that as long as you are still employed at Amazon you should get your bonus. But please confirm with your site’s HR.
Hi! I’m currently a flex employee at Amazon. I have been there since the end of January this year. I did successfully receive my 1000 dollar bonus the next weekly paycheck after my 30 days. I’m currently working on the 2nd half of my bonus which would be 180 days, I’m half way there !!!!
Hi Tiffany,
That’s really great to hear. I’m happy for you.
We all were told about getting our bonus the first and third month. And then they changed it to 6 months. I think if we all get together we can fight this! I’m going to seek an attorney about it maybe we all should get a petition together. Who’s in?
Hi, I was offered a 3000 dollar sign on bonus but am being told I can’t get it because I started 04/02/22. But I had a prehire date in December 20/21. They are saying I’m not eligible?? That would be false advertisement.
I have been with Amazon for 6 months and 1 week still haven’t got my bonus. HR put me on intermittent leave without me even applying for it now I can’t get my bonus until I’m active on my schedule but I’ve been going to work every week! Seriously considering suing for false advertisement. And the HR department is a joke no help whatsoever!