Meet Wayne: The bad boss of US-based Amazon delivery drivers
What's the story
Amazon delivery drivers in the US have turned to humor, as a means of expressing their dissatisfaction with demanding workloads. They've created a meme, "Wayne," which symbolizes an overbearing dispatcher who assigns unmanageable routes and package loads. The character of Wayne originated from a post on the Amazon delivery driver subreddit, criticizing a real-life dispatch boss named Wayne for penalizing drivers for violations he himself was guilty of.
Meme spread
Meme gains popularity among Amazon drivers
The "Wayne" meme has gained traction across the Amazon delivery driver subreddit, and even reached an Amazon drivers' Discord server. Alongside another character, "Jimmy," Wayne has come to represent all problematic bosses and dispatchers, within Amazon's extensive network of quasi-independent delivery service partners (DSPs). These drivers are under constant surveillance by AI-powered cameras in their vans that alert their dispatch manager of any violations.
Workload challenges
Drivers share experiences of overwhelming workloads
Drivers have taken to Reddit to share their experiences with these overwhelming workloads. One driver posted a picture of their 48-stop-long route for the day, which was not arranged in a logical order. Another driver shared an image of their package load of 185 stops and 372 packages, necessitating them to deliver an average of 41 packages per hour during a standard nine-hour shift. These inefficient sequencing and high package loads, often lead drivers to fall behind schedule.
Meme usage
'Wayne' meme highlights serious challenges for drivers
The Wayne meme has been used by drivers in various ways to express their frustrations. Some posts use "Wayne" as the punchline of a joke, while others share photos or videos related to the character. Despite the light-hearted nature of these posts, they underscore serious challenges faced by Amazon drivers, such as skipping bathroom breaks to meet quotas, and dealing with unrealistic expectations from management.
Company response
Amazon responds to drivers' concerns
In response to these concerns, Amazon Spokesperson Branden Baribeau, stated that DSPs have the opportunity to provide feedback about routes, and that Amazon collaborates with them to set expectations. He also noted that drivers are encouraged to take breaks and can use their Amazon delivery route application, to locate nearby restaurants or coffee shops. However, the identity of the original Wayne remains a mystery due to the removal of identifying information from the posts.