On 27 December, Rick Jacobs, 61, was about to head home after working overnight at the DEN4 warehouse in Colorado Springs when he collapsed to the floor and died.

Plant managers allegedly then cordoned off his body using cardboard boxes while staffers arriving for their morning shift were forced to continue working just feet away.

Amazon, whose founder is billionaire Jeff Bezos, made employees “literally walk over a dead body to make you more money,” an anonymous staffer at the facility muttered on Reddit.

“When I arrived at 6:30 this morning I saw the fire truck ambulance and police department still at the facility. Not knowing why they were there we all went in clocked in and started to work.. I cannot even begin to say how upset and angry I am at the disrespect for human life from Amazon and our general manager Nick McKeen.”

The note went on to say: “No one should have been told to work alongside a dead body, particularly after witnessing it. … No warnings before walking into the building. No on-site counselor.”

An Amazon spokesperson strongly refuted allegations that workers were anywhere near the body or that it was cordoned off. The company said managers surrounded the body for privacy and security.

Amazon said: “Anyone who wanted to take time off that day was allowed to do so. Support services were offered to any employee who was in need.”