In October 2023, the Center for Urban Economic Development at the University of Illinois published a study, titled ‘Pain Points: Data on Work Intensity, Monitoring, and Health at Amazon Warehouses’, that explores the physical and mental health impacts of workers labouring in Amazon warehouses in the USA.

The study based its findings on a national survey of 1,484 workers across 451 facilities in 42 states. It found:

• 41% of workers report being injured while working at an Amazon warehouse.
• 69% have had to take unpaid time off due to pain or exhaustion from working at Amazon in the past month; and 34% had to do so three or more times.
• 52% feel burned out from their work; and among those who have worked at the company for more than three years, 60% feel burned out.
• 60% experience more workplace monitoring in comparison to previous jobs.

The authors argue the findings show Amazon’s logistics system, through its prioritisation of speed and customer convenience, negatively impacts workers’ health and wellbeing. This, in turn, has an economic impact on the workers due to unpaid time off and long-term negative health impacts. The authors argue stronger regulation and greater worker voice is needed to improve working conditions.

An article by CNBC outlines the study’s findings. It cites a response from Amazon spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel, who disputes the study's findings and states “there’s nothing more important” than employees’ health and safety.