Amazon at times used Flex drivers' tips to cover promised base pay, investigation finds

Amazon sometimes dipped into tips earned by contracted delivery drivers for its 'Flex' service to cover the base pay they'd been promised, a Los Angeles Times review of emails and receipts shows.

They're not the only contractor-supported delivery giant playing hinky with tips. Instacart and DoorDash have caught criticism for doing the same.

As Amazon continues to grow, it increasingly relies on contractors to meet delivery demand. They aren't employees, so they don't get benefits. Tips help.

Amazon tells its contractor drivers they'll earn at least $18-$25 per hour driving for 'Flex', but the payment they get does not always come Amazon, the LA Times reports:

If Amazons contribution doesnt reach the guaranteed wage, the e-commerce giant makes up the difference with tips from customers, according to documentation shared by five drivers.

In emails to drivers, Amazon acknowledges it can use any supplemental earnings to meet the promised minimum should the company's own contribution fall short.

We add any supplemental earnings required to meet our commitment that delivery partners earn $18-$25 per hour, the company wrote in multiple emails reviewed by The Times.

Amazon insists drivers receive the entirety of their tips, but declined to answer questions from The Times about whether it uses those tips to help cover the drivers base pay.

Our pay commitment to delivery partners has not changed since we launched the Amazon Flex program delivery partners still earn $18-25 per hour, including 100% of tips and on average drivers earn over $20/hour, Amazon spokeswoman Amanda Ip wrote in a statement.