Amazon internally announces better parental leave policy for its employees. The new policy includes revamped paternity leave scheme for new fathers.
Prior to the latest announcement Amazon employees were allowed just eight weeks of paid maternity leave and up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Amazon did not offer any paternity leave and this policy was highly criticized as other companies such as Microsoft, Facebook and others offer new fathers some time off work as paternity leave.
Jezebel has obtained an internal email sent to employees that details new parental leave policy.
"Amazon now offers up to 20 paid weeks of leave, the ability to share up to 6 weeks of paid leave with a spouse or partner, and a flexible return to work program," per the internal Amazon email.
The latest benefits will apply to all Amazon full-time salaried and hourly employees, which includes over 100,000 Customer Service Associates and Fulfillment Center.
Per the new policy all new parents - mothers as well as fathers - can avail up to six weeks of paid parental leave. Further flexibility is available to Amazon employees as this six-week paid leave can be taken at a stretch or in two parts within 12 months of birth or adoption.
Amazon has also introduced a "Leave Share Program" that will allow mothers to transfer their parental leave to their spouses.
"To help families address the financial challenge of taking unpaid time off, we've invented a new program called Leave Share, which allows you to share all or a portion of your six-week parental leave with a spouse or partner who doesn't have paid leave through his or her employer," stated in the Amazon email.
The latest Amazon parental leave policy will also offer its employees a "Ramp Back Program" that allows primary care givers and birth mothers to join back as part-time employees.
Previous reports have highlighted about harsh working conditions in Amazon's warehouses and offices, which also includes family unfriendly management.
A 2013 PayScale study also found that the online retail giant has the second highest turnover rate in the Fortune 500 companies with a medium tenure of only one year.
The latest changes to the parental leave policy are a bid by Amazon to retain employees and at the same time attract new employees to the company.
