Amazon has launched a new contract that offers parents, grandparents and guardians of school-age children the option to work term-time only.
According to the ecommerce giant, the new contract will allow those eligible to take six weeks of holiday in the summer and two weeks over the Easter and Christmas break.
This follows a successful trial in three fulfilment centres following employee feedback, with the contracts being rolled out across the UK later this year.
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“At Amazon, we’re always innovating for our employees and our customers,” Amazon UK country manager John Boumphrey said.
“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 job-seekers with family caring commitments a route back to the workplace, helping to boost household income.”
However, the move has been announced amid industrial action by Amazon warehouse workers through trade union, GMB, as they demand for a pay rise to £15 an hour.
Striking for a total of 16 days at Amazon’s Coventry depot, GMB senior organiser Amanda Gearing said flexible contracts are welcome, but not the main priority for workers.
“It is no surprise that Amazon has discovered flexible working offers after Coventry workers have found their voice and their strength. It’s no coincidence that 16 days of strike action have come before this offer,” she said.
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via https://AiUpNow.com May 31, 2023 at 03:29AM by Jasdip Sensi, Khareem Sudlow,
