Amazon Admits Drivers Pee in Bottles Due to Bathroom Access Issues

Amazon has admitted that its workers do sometimes have to pee in bottles while on the job. The company initially denied this claim, sparking criticism from U.S. Representative Mark Pocan and others. In a blog post published on April 2, Amazon apologized for its earlier response, which it described as an 'own-goal.'

The company acknowledged that drivers may face difficulties finding bathrooms due to rural routes or closed public restrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Amazon also emphasized that this is not just a problem specific to its drivers, but rather a 'longstanding, industry-wide issue.'

Amazon workers have shared their own firsthand accounts of struggling to find time for bathroom breaks while working on routes. One worker told Vice that they would be pressured to finish routes quickly and could face incentives to cut corners.