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Amazon has ended its relationship with a third-party delivery contractor after security footage appeared to show the driver getting caught short outside two homes in Los Angeles.
The online retailer said it was “deeply disturbed” by the allegations and confirmed the driver is no longer delivering on behalf of the company. The online giant has previously been criticized by workers over its toilet break policy which they claim is time-tracked by management.
The incidents, which occurred on Mother’s Day in the Woodland Hills neighborhood, raised concerns about contractor oversight and reputational risk tied to Amazon’s delivery network.
Security footage prompts swift action
Homeowner Tamara Bedoy discovered the mess on her front porch after her husband went to collect a package that had arrived earlier that morning. A home surveillance camera showed a woman wearing an Amazon vest making the delivery around 5:30 a.m.
Footage provided to local broadcaster KTLA appeared to capture the woman pulling up her trousers as she walked away, with waste left on the doorstep. Another clip showed a soiled paper towel discarded nearby.
“It was a horrible experience,” said Bedoy. “My husband, unfortunately, had to pick it up on Mother’s Day.”
Roughly 30 minutes later, another nearby household experienced a similar incident. Parker and Jack Provencher, who live less than a mile away, also received a delivery from the same driver. Their security camera footage showed the driver entering through a gate, dropping off a package, taking a photo for confirmation and then urinating on their walkway.
Her face was visible in the second video. Amazon said it was able to identify the woman and confirmed she was working as an independent contractor at the time of the deliveries.
Independent contractor model under review
In a written statement, Amazon apologised to the affected customers and said the driver had been removed from its network.
“We’re deeply disturbed by the unacceptable behavior of this delivery driver and apologize to the customers involved,” the company said. “We immediately identified the driver, and they are no longer delivering on behalf of Amazon.”
The events may renew questions for HR leaders around the use of independent contractors in last-mile delivery services. As Amazon and other major logistics providers expand gig-based networks, balancing cost-efficiency with contractor conduct and customer trust remains a complex issue.
With the company relying heavily on a network of delivery service partners (DSPs) and independent drivers to meet demand, HR and operations leaders across the logistics and retail sectors may ponder their own standards, policies and escalation protocols.
