The same Illinois-based employee shared an internal email from their department manager, who told workers that the shift cuts were "the direct result of guidance from our regional team." This cost cutting on the part of Amazon and Whole Foods has reportedly resulted in understaffing issues at stores. Employees in California told the Guardian that there are not enough people to work the cash registers to prevent long lines, and fewer staff are available to help customers on the floor. (We reached out to Amazon for comment, and will update the article upon receiving a response.) Shift slashing at Whole Foods may be part of a larger strategy on Amazon's part to raise the minimum wage without spending more money. Workers at Amazon's warehouses, for instance, told outlets like Recode last fall that they were anticipating that the $15 minimum wage would lower their pay, as Amazon slashed bonuses and stock options for workers as part of introducing the wage floor.