CHA2 - Amazon.Com (Background)

CHA2 is one of 2 locations in the Chattanooga, TN tri-state area.  Amazon.Com, negotiated with the State of Tennessee to open two warehouses in Chattanooga and Charleston, TN., in exchange for opening 2 locations the State of Tennessee waived sales tax for FIVE (5) years.

The #1 largest online retailer did create jobs for the tri-state area through both Amazon.Com and Integrity Staffing Solutions. Integrity Staffing Solutions performs all hiring needs for Amazon.Com at both CHA1 and CHA2 locations. Integrity Staffing Solutions has on-site offices to support Integrity's temporary employees.

The initial hiring process for Integrity-Amazon are as follows:

Hiring Location on Lee Hwy off of 153 in Chattanooga, performs steps 1-6 of the hiring process.

1. Walk in with copy of Drivers License, Social Security Card (or forms of id supporting the criteria for List A or from List B and C of the I'9 Immigration Form) and High school Diploma or GED transcript.
2. #1 process is verified and you are asked to go to the computers (no privacy) placed to the left of the entrance lobby to sign in and/or to register with Integrity Staffing Solutions.com. Once this has been completed you are to take a seat and wait for process 2 of 5.
3. Process 2, is a separate room were you are required to take a timed test in 2 sections. This timed test is for 10 minutes (each section) and it verifies you can recognize the codes, read the names of various products sold by Amazon and arrange them in the order for which they are sequenced based on the codes, names etc. Upon completion of process 2, you are to notify 1 of the 2 support staff in the lobby of your completion and you are sent to the next process. (the support staff verifies you past section 2 testing)
4. Process 3, basically is a separate room with 5 or more computers to enter your log in data and then you are to proceed to the next process 4. (the support staff in the front lobby provides you with documentation front and back to review, read and follow as you are watching a video about Amazon's expectations regarding physical, shift (hours), point system used for tardiness, calling out etc., performance evaluations, exercising and so forth.
5. Process 4, as mentioned above in #4 is a video that you watch while you are waiting to go through the interview process.
6. Process 5, Interview process basically is a verification of your entries on the Integrity website, going over the physical requirements of the job, performance related expectations and verification if you are able to meet the requirements as stated and if you are the next steps are payroll, areas available for placement, drug test, scheduling for orientation, shift availability and days you are scheduled to work. Picture for your badge is taken at this time and then you are asked to go back out and wait for the final process.
7. Process 6, final process is just a verification of what the interviewing staff member has went over and understanding of the entrance of the door for orientation and your first day at Amazon.Com.

Orientation at Amazon.Com is 2 to 2.5 hours long depending on questions once the PowerPoint presentations, video and understanding of how the process works.  Overall, the information discusses any violation of EEOC, Civil Rights Act is not tolerated and the requirements for working at Amazon. The requirements go over the first day you are scheduled to start could result in what they call "overbooking", which means you could be sent home the first time, second time etc depending on when you arrived and how many Integrity employees arrived before you at the initial 5:30 show up time for the 6:30 shift start time. It continues to discuss breaks, security, badges, exercising, only water allowed in clear containers outside of the break room, etc .

**The scheduled shift 6:30 to 5 am (10 hour shifts)**

Overtime or Peak time scheduled shifts increased from 40 hours to 50 or 60 hours.
50 hours = 5 days (my overtime day was Thursday) all 10 hour days
60 hours = 5 days (Overtime day Thursday) all 12 hour days (6:30pm to 7am)

Please read my next blog which provides the first day and thereafter at Amazon.Com.