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E-commerce speed harms warehouse workers, study finds

19 May 2026 09:00

A new Cornell-led study reveals that the demand for fast, cheap online deliveries creates harsher working conditions in e-commerce fulfillment centers compared to traditional warehouses. - Workers in e-commerce warehouses face more pressure to move quickly and avoid breaks.

- Amazon jobs are significantly worse than Walmart's, likely due to Amazon's focus on delivery speed. - The study provides the first comprehensive assessment of e-commerce warehouse work in the U.S.

- Researchers say Amazon's lower job quality is not inevitable and can be improved through different strategies.

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