Amazon launches term-time contracts for operatives

This includes a six-week Summer break, as well as two-week Easter and Christmas holiday periods, without affecting the range of benefits they receive, including private medical insurance and life assurance.

Amazon’s UK country manager John Boumphrey, says: “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.”

The contracts, aimed at better supporting family needs, were successfully trialed at three sites following employee feedback, and are now being phased in for employees across all Amazon’s fulfilment centres. 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, return to the workplace.

Boumphrey adds: “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.”

GRoW (Get Ready for Work) is a London-based organisation which supports women back into the workplace. Director Liz Sewell says: “Term-time working has the potential to give a lot of people the support they need so it’s an interesting and progressive change at Amazon.

“We know that many women want to work flexible hours and for those with younger children term-time working makes so much sense. We believe it’s a great way to support a widening of the workforce as well as providing valuable flexibility for parents.”