Life and Death in the Warehouse BBC 3

[MsVillanelle]

Did anyone watch this last night, I can't see a current thread about it on here? It's a one-off drama on BBC 3, available on iPlayer. Basically about the grim reality of working in a massive distribution centre, as an order picker. Sounds a bit boring when put like that, but it's not, it's really gripping, compelling and terrifying. Brilliantly acted. Based on real life events of what it's like to work eg for Amazon, where human workers are treated like robots, part of an algorithm. Sounds depressing I know, but it's so thought-provoking, packs so much into the 1 hour, I urge anyone to watch it. Has certainly made me reconsider some of my online shopping habits! Did anyone see it, really keen to discuss it?

Ohhh I shall watch tonight and revert!

Oh yes please do report back, I'm intrigued to know what others think of it, I think it's a bloody brilliant bit of telly! Lucy Mangan in her Guardian review of it said it almost made her feel like rising up and turning Communist and I kind of know what she means!

I think I sat and watched the whole hour with my jaw on the floor most of the time, but it's so realistic and all based on real life events that have actually happened. It's the sort of programme where I notice it's just starting and think it looks interesting, but oh I desperately need a wee, can't be bothered to watch, but then am enthralled and sit there on the edge of the sofa and watch the whole thing (and have to pee afterwards!)

By the way, I should probably add that the programme may need a trigger warning in dealing with issues concerning miscarriage.

Just watched this. I do t have the strength atm due to covid but placemaeking here to return as I used to work managing order pickers.

Interested to know what people think.

I thought it was brilliant. Great performances too from the mainly young Welsh cast. Somehow it was utterly believable - I knew working in these places was likely to be pretty brutal but I was shocked at the inhumanity of how these workers are treated.

Was really good.

Wish it was a series rather than a one off.

Awful viewing - feel somewhat vindicated in my hatred of online shopping now and will certainly be spreading the word for others to watch.

Yes, gripping but relentlessly grim. I thought the 2 main female leads were excellent. The supervisor was Sketch from Skins about 15 years ago and was very good in that too.

It was favourably reviewed in the Grauniad today and got four stars, I think. It's on my list to watch.

I've worked in warehouses before so i was interested to watch this. I recognised a lot of the behaviours of the managers from my own experiences so it brought back a lot of horrible memories. I'm glad more attention is being paid now to how these workers are treated, but i would have preferred if it hadn't made it seem like online shopping is the problem, because all distribution centres are like this in my experience. Just because you're shopping in a real shop doesn't mean the workers at the warehouse were treated any better.

It’s somehow managed to get The Guardian, Telegraph and the Mail to agree that it’s great

I've just watched it and it was gripping to watch but not enjoyable in the slightest. It was brilliantly played by all the main characters, so believable. I've a friend who works for Amazon and although she enjoys the money (from all the overtime) she knows she won't be there more than a few years as it's just so exhausting and relentless.

I wasn't shocked as @tropicalsound says most distribution is like this. Manager's are obsessed with kpi measures instead of team welfare. It's not just amazon every where is getting like this every click and collect or your tesco delivery. The people who pick your order or the deliveroo/uber riders are measured and managed just the same and paid peanuts.

Is it really like this to work in a warehouse???

The whole being managed out because you weren't hitting your targets (and that's all they look at and all they care about) really sadly makes me think of my job. Not warehouse in any way shape or form. But mine is sales full of KPIs.
Thankfully it's not as bad as the programme they would let you leave if you're poorly and are mostly nice apart from this massive thing!!

I watched it when it was on in March and I have completely changed my buying habits because of it. Not used Amazon since, nor any other big warehouse sites. I've bought a bit from bricks and mortar shops and have pledged to only buy online from small independent businesses. It really has opened up my eyes to better choices and also I've discovered some wonderful ethical shops and small brands.

Extremely disturbing and has made me rethink my constant Amazon purchases