Amazon has launched new term-time contracts providing its operations employees guaranteed time off during Summer, Easter and Christmas holidays, enabling more time with their children without affecting the comprehensive range of benefits they receive, including private medical insurance and life assurance.
The contracts, aimed at better supporting family needs, were successfully trialled at three sites following employee feedback, and are now being phased in for employees across all Amazon’s fulfilment centres – the places where Amazon store, pick and pack items for sale. They will be rolled out to sort centres and delivery stations across the UK later this year.
Amazon also announced a new flexible part-time contract for a minimum of 80 hours a month which lets employees pick and mix the shifts which suit their needs; part-day or full-day, day or night, weekday or weekend. The contract will support people who are unable to find work due to family or other commitments that require flexibility, to return to the workplace.
The part-time contract, piloted at five fulfilment centres and now being expanded to a further seven sites, was also introduced as a result of employee feedback.
“At Amazon, we’re always innovating for our employees and our customers,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK Country Manager. “I’m delighted to announce these new flexible working initiatives that provide even more choice for current and future employees, enabling them to better manage their home and work commitments.
“Amazon already provides a four-day working week for our fulfilment centre employees in the UK, and term-time contracts are another great example of how we are using feedback from our people to support them with their childcare needs, giving families more time together.”
He added: “Providing a flexible part-time contract where people can pick the shifts that best suit their needs will support our employees’ partners and other jobseekers with family caring commitments a route back to the workplace, helping to boost household income.”
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