Amazon accused of "unfairly" firing Flex delivery drivers by algorithm

M illions of independent contract drivers working for Amazon's Flex delivery service were managed and fired by an algorithm for no good cause and with little or no human intervention . Between 2015 and 2021, Amazon increasingly relied on automated systems to manage its Amazon Flex workforce - a fleet of independent contractors using their own vehicles for deliveries. These algorithms tracked every metric, from arrival times at warehouses to whether a package was hidden from public view, with d rivers categorised a s Fantastic, Great, Fair, or At Risk. A ccording to a Bloomberg report , s ome dismissals were considered unfair. Impacted individuals, including military veterans and long-term contractors, lost their primary source of income for reasons such as apartment complexes being inaccessible, flat tires, or even poor weather conditions. R iders were given only 10 days to appeal their terminations and, if their appeal failed, they then had to pay USD 200 for it to go to arbitration. To make matters even more challenging, riders we re unable to have access to t he algorithm and its decision-making processes , persuading many drivers not to lodge appeals. The programme was reportedly considered a success by Amazon. System 🤖 Amazon Flex Operator: Amazon Developer: Amazon Country: USA Sector: Transport/logistics Purpose: Assess and manage delivery driver performance Technology: Automated m anagement system; Computer vision; Performance rating algorithm Issue: Accountability; Fairness; Employment/labour; Oversight; Transparency

Date it happened

2021-06-01

Organisation involved

Amazon

Product, system or model

Amazon Flex

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