
Amazon's mandatory extra time pay rate policy is a crucial aspect of working for the company. Amazon pays employees an extra hour of pay for working more than 40 hours in a week.
This policy applies to all Amazon employees, not just those in management or leadership roles. However, there may be some exceptions for certain types of employees, such as those in seasonal or temporary positions.
Amazon's extra time pay rate is calculated based on the employee's regular hourly rate of pay. For example, if an employee earns $15 per hour, they will earn an additional $15 for each hour worked beyond 40 hours in a week.
Pay Structure
Amazon's overtime pay structure is a bit complex, but I'll break it down for you. Amazon pays a minimum of 1.5x overtime pay, which is a standard rate for most employees.
Some employees may earn double overtime for working during peak periods, but this is not a guaranteed policy. This means that if you're working during a busy time, you might get paid even more for your extra hours.
Broaden your view: Overtime Pay Amazon
Full-time Amazon staff must be on call for one extra time shift at least within a week. This is a requirement, not a choice.
Non-salary staff get paid time and a half when they work over 40 hours a week, which is a standard benefit. Salaried employees, on the other hand, do not receive additional compensation for overtime.
Staff can't work more than 20 hours of extra period a week, but they must remain available to do so within that scope. This is a limit on the number of extra hours you can work, but it's not a hard cap.
Consider reading: Chase Pay Overtime
Qualification and Scheduling
At Amazon, overtime eligibility is determined by whether your role is exempt or nonexempt. Most hourly employees are eligible for overtime.
If you're working in an hourly role, you're generally eligible for overtime. In fact, hourly employees are the ones who usually get overtime pay.
There's a notable exception: Amazon Flex workers, who are independent contractors, are not eligible for overtime. They set their own schedules and can choose to work more than 40 hours a week, but they won't receive overtime pay for doing so.
Who Qualifies?

Most hourly employees at Amazon are eligible for overtime.
If you're working in an hourly role at Amazon, you're generally eligible for overtime.
Most salaried employees are not eligible for overtime, unless they earn under a certain amount per year.
Amazon Flex workers, who make deliveries for Amazon packages, are independent contractors and not eligible for overtime.
Here's a quick breakdown:
- Hourly employees: eligible for overtime
- Salaried employees (except those earning under a certain amount): not eligible for overtime
- Amazon Flex workers: independent contractors, not eligible for overtime
Met Shifts
MET shifts are usually reserved for peak periods at Amazon, requiring employees to work a shift that puts them into overtime hours to assist with surges.
Amazon only has to let employees know about a MET shift by lunch break the day before the shift.
Managers typically try to let staff know about an upcoming MET shift sooner than that.
If an employee can't work their MET shift, termination is possible unless they have an excusable reason or want to use their accrued PTO instead.
Responding to open shifts immediately is crucial, as I found on Quora.
See what others are reading: What to Know about Pay by Invoice Amazon
Overtime and Extra Pay
Amazon's overtime pay is calculated based on their workweek, which runs from Sunday through Saturday.
Full-time Amazon staff must be on call for one extra time shift at least within a week.
Amazon pays a minimum of 1.5x overtime pay for most employees, although some may earn double overtime for working during peak periods.
Salaried employees do not receive additional compensation for overtime, unlike hourly employees.
Hourly pay at Amazon averages $17.67, so overtime pay would be $26.5/hour for any overtime hours worked.
Some employees have shift differentials that can affect their overtime rate and boost their overall earnings.
Associates are required to work Mandatory Extra Time (MET) or Mandatory Overtime (MOT) during "peak" season and the holiday season.
If an associate can't make it to work overtime, they can be terminated, but this rule is not always applied equally across the board.
Expand your knowledge: Amazon Peak Pay 2023
Peak Season and Prime Day
Peak Season and Prime Day can be a challenging time for Amazon employees. Full-time staff are usually asked to work a minimum of 55 hours during the week for Prime Day.
This means adding an extra 1 or 2 hours per day to their regular daily shift.
Policy and Consequences
Amazon operates on a no-tolerance policy towards missed extra periods for many of its positions, so it's essential to plan for last-minute work to avoid conflicts.
Amazon managers and supervisors may be more lenient with missed overtime depending on the circumstances, such as if the missed overtime could not be helped.
Missing a scheduled extra time may not cost you any vacation or personal time off, which is a relief, but it's still a good idea to plan ahead.
Amazon is not known for making exceptions for workers needing to take care of their parental obligations, so it's crucial to consider this when deciding to work for the company.
What If You Fail to Follow the Policy?
Amazon operates on a no-tolerance policy towards missed extra periods for many of its positions.
Missing a scheduled extra time may result in conflicts and repercussions for employees. Amazon is known for shifting employees' schedules around last minute to accommodate last-minute orders.

At least, you won't lose vacation or personal time off if you miss a scheduled extra time due to last-minute schedule changes. Individual managers and supervisors may be more lenient with missed overtime depending on the circumstances.
It's essential to plan for last-minute work to avoid conflicts, as Amazon is not known for making exceptions for workers needing to take care of their parental obligations. Missing a scheduled extra time could mean missing out on quality time with your family.
Mandatory Time Off (MTO)
Mandatory Time Off (MTO) can be a frustrating experience for associates.
Associates who are sent home due to lack of work at the facility won't get paid for those hours.
You may be told you'll get paid for having to take MTO, but sometimes that's not the case.
Associates are not guaranteed to make up the hours they lost.
It's not just about the lost pay, but also the uncertainty that comes with MTO.
Take a look at this: Amazon Pay Monthly Not Showing
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get out of mandatory overtime on Amazon Reddit?
You can't get out of mandatory overtime on Amazon once you've accepted a shift, but you can try negotiating with your manager or exploring Amazon's policies on MET shifts for potential flexibility.
How much is Amazon overtime pay on Reddit?
Amazon overtime pay is calculated by multiplying your average pay rate by 1.5 for each hour of overtime worked. This is a standard practice for overtime pay, but specific details may vary depending on your Amazon employment contract or location.
Sources
- https://hradvice.com/amazon-overtime-pay/
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/grueling-amazon-workers-describe-what-its-like-working-peak-season/
- https://www.sbxl.com/amazon-overtime-pay/
- https://united4respect.org/amz-alphabetical-glossary/
- https://www.hcamag.com/asia/specialisation/employee-engagement/amazon-drivers-complain-about-mandatory-overtime/430954
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