Amazon Introduces Tiny 'ZenBooths' for Stressed-Out Warehouse Workers

[demmiblue]

The AmaZen meditation booth is a small room where employees can watch company videos about mindfulness while a small fan moves the air around.



In one of its most dystopian moves yet, Amazon is introducing tiny booths where its overworked warehouse employees can momentarily escape a job so grueling, many employees say they don't feel like they have enough time to even use the bathroom.

The "ZenBooth'' or "Mindful Practice Room," as it's called, is part of the WorkingWell program Amazon announced on May 17. According to an Amazon press release, WorkingWell is a mix of "physical and mental activities, wellness exercises, and healthy eating support” meant to “help them recharge and reenergize." One of the WorkingWell initiatives is AmaZen, which “guides employees through mindfulness practices in individual interactive kiosks at buildings,” according to a press release.

What this looks like in reality is a coffin-sized booth in the middle of an Amazon warehouse where workers can use a computer to view "mental health and mindful practices."

Based on a video released on an Amazon Twitter account, plants sit on a shelf and a fan runs to cool down the employee. The skylight on top is tinted blue. Pamphlets and signs adorn the walls. A computer waits for the employee to load up a guided meditation video.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/wx5nmw/amazon-introduces-tiny-zenbooths-for-stressed-out-warehouse-workers

[jimfields33]

1. Google at least gives pods that you can sit or even lie down

These don’t look comfy.

[Diamond_Dog]

2. Gee, mighty nice of them

How about trying to de-stress the actual working conditions?!

[hlthe2b]

3. Oh, yeah. A commercial equuivalent of the phone boot looks really calming.

Coffin-sized, indeed.

While I'm usually unwilling to suggest a tv show, maybe one of those in the Amazon "brain-trust" should watch 'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist' and get some ideas from the high-tech workplace depicted.

[luv2fly]

4. Or Amazon could chill out and pay people a bit more

And watch stress reduce that way. But that would rob Bezos of even MORE billions and they can't have that now can they.

[CrackityJones75]

17. it isn't just pay though.

Getting people to a better pay level isn’t just going to do it.

People shouldn’t have to over extend themselves just to make a living. There is hard work and then there is stupid work. First, they should pay a living wage. At least. And then they should staff appropriately.

[marble falls]

5. Typical. Dealing with the stressed and not the stress. Makes ol' Jeff look a little more human ...

... than Mark Z.

[madaboutharry]

6. The interior doesn't look very inviting.

It looks like a mini version of a doctor’s office. There is nothing Zen about it.

It’s is stupid PR.

[5X]

7. It will be used as a pisser.

[Treefrog]

8. Sadly, that's the first thing I thought too lol.

Those things will be gone in a few months, if not sooner.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

9. Keep it up. It can always be set to "pain amplification" or "disintegrate"

[c-rational]

10. How about hiring more workers and creating a less stressful work environment.

[c-rational]

11. How about hiring more workers and creating a less stressful work environment.

[Hotler]

12. The anti-union employees love these. nt

[honest.abe]

13. Who would actually go in there?

It would be embarrassing and since its completely out in the open everyone would know you’re in there. If they really cared they would be placed in more private areas to chill out. Perhaps near or attached to the rest rooms.

[area51]

14. +1

Looks like a "scream room".

[dogknob]

15. Wow! Just like THX1138!

What's next? Mandatory meds to increase productivity?

[sarcasmo]

16. Use the booth twice in one month, you're fired.

[Hekate]

18. Given the size & shape, I'd rather simply be excused to use a restroom as needed...

...without someone clocking my absence to make sure I didn’t abuse the time needed for bodily functions. Do something humane like that.