Amazon offers parents term-time working

The US tech giant said the new contracts would guarantee those who care for school-age children will have time off during school holidays, including six weeks in the summer, and two weeks at Christmas and Easter, without affecting their benefits packages.

John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK Country Manager said the new contracts will enable employees to "better manage their home and work commitments".

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“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,” he said.

Amazon said it had trialled the contracts at three sites, after worker feedback.

The contracts are now being phased in across all of its fulfilment centres before being introduced to sorting centres and delivery hubs across the UK this year.

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.

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 “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 move comes amid a battle over pay and conditions with the GMB union, which is fighting Amazon for recognition.

Amazon workers at the Coventry depot are demanding formal union recognition, but the firm said it prefers to talk with its employees rather than go through a union.

Workers at Amazon in Coventry have been on strike for 16 days this year.

Amazon implemented a pay rise of 50p an hour in March, taking its minimum pay for warehouse workers to £11, but the staff taking action are demanding £15 per hour.

Martin Williams, head of employment and partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter said: "The problem with introducing term-time working for parents and grandparents, is that at present Amazon is a target for criticism about alleged poor working practices and its wider operating model.
 

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"Any attempt to appear flexible will be met with scepticism from those who wish to pour scorn on the behemoth that Amazon is.
 
He added: "In principle, term-time working contracts can be a good idea when trying to engage with workers more flexibly, however, some flexible arrangements can also be seen as less secure.
 
"Security and fair pay is what most workers want at a minimum. Getting it is another thing."