Calling In Sick to Amazon: How to Navigate Time Off Requests

Getting sick is never convenient, especially when you have to miss work. At a large employer like Amazon, calling in sick can feel intimidating if you don‘t understand the policies. This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about requesting sick time off from Amazon.

How Do I Call in Sick to Amazon?

Notifying Amazon that you need to take sick leave is a two-step process:

Step 1: Submit a Request via the A to Z App

The A to Z app allows employees to request time off from their phone. Here‘s how to submit a sick leave request:

1. Download the A to Z app on your smartphone (available for iOS and Android).

2. Open the app and tap on the "Time" tab at the bottom.

3. Tap on "Request Time Off".

4. Select "Submit Unpaid Time".

5. Tap on the date(s) you need to take sick leave.

   

6. Review your request details and submit.

The A to Z app allows you to submit time off requests up to 24 hours before your scheduled shift. It‘s best to submit the request as early as you can.

Step 2: Notify Your Manager

After submitting your request via the app, you must directly contact your manager to inform them you are taking sick time. This can be done by:

• Email
• Phone call
• Text message

Be sure to specify the exact date(s) you will be missing work. Your manager may ask some questions about your symptoms or illness – be prepared to provide details.

Notifying your manager directly, in addition to putting the request in the app, ensures they aren‘t caught off guard by your absence.

By following both steps, you can take sick leave at Amazon stress-free and avoid any issues!

Understanding Amazon‘s Attendance Point System

Amazon uses a point-based system to track employee attendance and time off. Here is an in-depth look at how it works:

• Employees receive 20 hours of unpaid time off per quarter (Jan-March, April-June, etc.)

• This equates to 80 hours or 10 days of unpaid sick/personal leave per calendar year.

• Time off requests should be submitted before your schedule is published.

• If you exceed your allotted unpaid time for the quarter, you accumulate points:

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Infraction	Points
Miss full scheduled shift without notice	3 points
Miss partial shift without notice	2 points
Late arrival / early departure	1 point

• Accumulating 6 points in a rolling 12-month period may result in termination of employment.

Some important notes on the point system:

• Paid vacation/PTO time does NOT count against unpaid time off allowance
• Unused time off does NOT roll over quarter to quarter
• The 6-point threshold is strictly enforced at some facilities and more lax at others
• For full-time staff, 10 sick days per year is low compared to other major employers

Understanding the ins and outs of this point system makes it easier to avoid getting into disciplinary trouble when you need to take sick time.

Examples of Earning Points

To understand better how points can add up, consider these examples:

• John has already used his 20 hours for Q1. In February, he gets the flu and misses 2 full shifts without requesting off. He gets 6 points for those no call/no shows.

• Lisa has used 10 hours of time off in Q2. She leaves 2 hours early from her shift one day in May without approval. She gets 1 point for that infraction.

• Jamar accrued 12 points over the past year for various latenesses and absences. He gets severely ill in March and misses 5 full shifts. He now has 18 points, well over the 6 point limit, and is terminated.

While the examples above may seem harsh, they illustrate why proper notification is crucial when you need sick time off from Amazon. Let‘s look at how to avoid no call/no shows next.

Consequences of Not Calling In Sick

Simply failing to show up for a scheduled shift can have serious repercussions:

• No call/no show for full shift: 3 points
• No call/no show for part of shift: 2 points

Not only will you accumulate substantial points, but your manager will be frustrated that they had to scramble to cover your shift last minute.

If you wake up very ill on a work day, you must still make every effort to request the sick time via the app and notify your manager ASAP:

• If hospitalized or physically unable to call, ask a family member or friend to call your manager immediately.
• As soon as you are able, follow up directly with your manager yourself to discuss your situation.

Having a "no call/no show" on your record is detrimental – even one or two could put your job at risk if you already have points accumulated. Do everything possible to avoid it.

Paid Sick Leave Policy at Amazon

Unlike most other major employers, Amazon does not offer separate paid sick leave or PTO for hourly fulfillment center employees.

The only paid time off available is vacation time, which accrues as follows:

Years of Service	Vacation Time
0-1 year	48 hours (6 days)
1-2 years	80 hours (10 days)
2-5 years	120 hours (15 days)
5+ years	160 hours (20 days)

While vacation time accrual increases moderately over time, those rates still lag behind vacation policies at retailers like Walmart and Target:

Company	Vacation Accrual (5+ Years)
Amazon	160 hours (20 days)
Walmart	208 hours (26 days)
Target	224 hours (28 days)

And unlike their competitors, Amazon does not offer any separate paid sick leave for hourly workers. This lack of paid sick days is one of the most frequently-cited complaints among fulfillment center employees.

While vacation time can theoretically be used for sickness, in reality the accrual rate is too slow to fully accommodate illnesses for most employees.

Sick Leave for Remote Employees

Fortunately, Amazon‘s sick leave policies for remote employees are exactly the same as for on-site staff:

• Remote workers can submit sick day requests through the A to Z app
• Email your manager notifying them of your absence
• Adhere to the 80 hours unpaid time off allowance

The main advantage of remote work is not having to physically go into the workplace when you are ill. You can simply email your manager from home that you are taking a sick day.

Many remote employees report that managers inquire less about specifics of an illness compared to in-person roles. But the attendance points system still applies to remote workers, so be sure to follow procedures.

Can You Be Fired for Too Many Sick Days?

Exceeding your 80 unpaid sick hours or accumulating 6+ attendance points in a 12-month rolling period is grounds for termination at Amazon.

In reality though, enforcement of the points system varies:

• Some facilities strictly enforce the 6-point rule, while others are more lenient
• Certain managers allow employees to take unpaid time off over the 80-hour limit if needed
• Individual latenesses or single shifts may not always get reported
• Serious medical issues are often treated as exceptions

You should not simply assume your manager will be lax about points. Taking excessive unpaid sick time when you have no time off left can demonstrate poor judgment and reliability.

That said, if you have an ongoing medical condition that may require extensive absences, you can request accommodations through HR. Disclosing health issues upfront is preferable to calling out sick constantly.

While Amazon does limit unpaid sick time compared to other big employers, the compensation and benefits often outweigh that downside. But understanding the attendance policies will help you avoid job jeopardy if you get sick.

Key Takeaways: Best Practices for Calling Out Sick

• Submit sick leave requests in advance through the A to Z app

• Notify your direct manager by phone/email as well

• Understand how the point system works and stay within your 80 unpaid hours

• Do everything possible to avoid no call/no shows for shifts

• Disclose any medical conditions that may require accommodation upfront

• While unpaid sick time is limited, benefits often outweigh this policy

Even with its flaws, Amazon‘s sick leave policies are manageable as long you follow proper protocols. Stay healthy, listen to your body, and don‘t hesitate to take time off when needed!