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Amazon to offer parents term-time-only working
Amazon has launched a new term-time contract.
Amazon has launched a new term-time contract for parents, grandparents and guardians and is piloting a new flexible part-time contract.
The term-time contract, which doesn’t affect the benefits employees receive, was trialled at three sites following employee feedback and are now being phased in at Amazon fulfillment centres. They will be rolled out to sort centres and delivery stations across the UK later this year. It will mean people with children to look after can take six weeks of holiday in summer and two weeks at Easter and at Christmas.
The flexible part-time contract is for a minimum of 80 hours a month and allows employees to pick and mix the shifts which suit their needs; part-day or full-day, day or night, weekday or weekend.
As with all roles at Amazon, a current employee can refer a friend or family member to this option. 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.
Marianna Desai, Regional Operations Director, said: “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.”
The announcement comes as the company is trying to fight a bid by the GMB to be the first trade union in Europe to be recognised by the company and amid news about its corporation tax status in the UK. The union commented that, while flexible working is welcome, most workers want better wages.
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