Retail giant Amazon has launched two new working contracts that offer flexibility for those who have commitments that prevent them working full-time.
Its term-time contract will give parents, grandparents and guardians of school-age children the option to work term-time only, guaranteeing time off for the six-week summer break and the two-week Easter and Christmas holiday periods. This will not affect the benefits they receive, which include private medical insurance and life assurance.
In addition, Amazon’s new flexible part-time contract is for a minimum of 80 hours a month, allowing employees to choose part-day, full-day, day or night, weekday or weekend shifts depending on their needs. It will enable those who are unable to find work due to family or other commitments that require flexibility to return to the workplace.
The two contracts, which were both introduced as a result of employee feedback, were piloted at several fulfilment centres. After a successful trial, they are now being expanded to employees across all Amazon’s fulfilment centres, and will be rolled out to sort centres and delivery stations later this year.
John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK country manager, 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.
“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.”
Marianna Desai, Amazon UK’s regional operations director, added: “We’ve listened to our employees’ views on flexible working and I’m really proud that we’ve introduced new and innovative options based on their feedback. Both of these contracts put a really important emphasis on work-life balance and I’m certain they’re going to make a positive difference for many of our people.”
