Amazon Is Experimenting With A Shorter Work Week For Some Employees
According to a report in The Washington Post (which, it should be noted, is owned by Bezos), the company has begun a small trial of 30-hour workweeks.
The members of the teams will receive just the same benefits, as do employees that are working 40 hours per week and 75% of their pay. Those who want to work full-time will have the opportunity to transition, according to an Amazon spokesman.
Online giant retailer Amazon, often criticized for the working conditions it imposes on its employees, is preparing a small-scale program to test the part-time work of entire teams. As of now, Amazon does not have plans to alter the 40-hour workweek on a company-wide level, the spokesperson said. You can read the full article from the Washington Post HERE.
Seattle’s e-commerce behemoth Amazon is yet again trying something new. “As well as, he recognizes that a traditional work schedule may not be one-size-fits-all”.
The news comes as a rescue for Amazon’s corporate culture image, which received a blow following a 2015 New York Times investigation depicting a cutthroat work environment at the firm. Long weeks like this are especially negative when assembly line and repetitive work is involved, much like many part-time Amazon workers. Senior vice president Jay Carney had refuted the allegations. Flex hours throughout the week will be used to make up the additional time.
Just within a mile or two of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft also have a big presence. Amazon’s latest reduced work regime could help break the taboo associated with fewer hours and pave the way for the future of work with more innovation and productivity associated with fewer clocked hours.
There are some bosses who believe that happiness and ease make for better work.
Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Post points out that Amazon’s move may be a way to attract a more diverse and reflexive staff. “So you have this kind of deaf ear in tech to this vital group of customers”.