The California Labor Commissioner's Office conducted an investigation into two Amazon warehouses in Southern California, specifically in Moreno Valley and Redlands, and discovered a total of 59,017 violations of the law.

The Warehouse Quotas law, which came into effect in 2022, mandates employers to disclose productivity quotas to their employees and government agencies. Additionally, it forbids employers from imposing unsafe quotas that prevent warehouse workers from taking state-mandated breaks or using sanitary facilities.

According to the Labor Commissioner's Office, Amazon failed to comply with the law by not providing written notice of quotas to its employees. The company argued that it does not utilize fixed quotas, as it relies on a "peer-to-peer evaluation system." However, this argument was vehemently rejected by Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower, who stated that Amazon's system is exactly what the law intended to prevent.

This is not the first time Amazon has come under scrutiny for its treatment of warehouse and delivery workers. Regulators and critics have raised concerns about the grueling pace of work, asserting that it increases the risk of injuries among employees. In 2022, Washington safety regulators fined Amazon for "willfully" violating workplace safety laws due to the fast pace that put workers at higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Furthermore, the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has repeatedly cited Amazon for safety violations. The company has maintained that it will challenge all citations.

Various states, including New York, Washington, and Minnesota, have implemented similar regulations to protect warehouse employees, and a federal bill addressing this issue was recently introduced by Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts.

Despite the allegations, Amazon has consistently denied the use of fixed quotas. Instead, the company claims to rely on "performance expectations" that consider multiple indicators, including team performance at each site. Additionally, Amazon has defended its safety record, stating that injury rates have improved, and it has committed over $750 million to safety initiatives this year.

Amazon spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel has stated that the company disagrees with the allegations and has initiated an appeal process. Employees are encouraged to review their performance and seek assistance from managers if needed.

The current fine imposed on Amazon by California's labor regulator highlights the ongoing debate surrounding productivity quotas and worker safety in the e-commerce giant's operations. As the second-largest private employer in the United States, Amazon's practices continue to face scrutiny, necessitating a closer examination of labor laws and regulations to ensure the well-being of its workforce.