Many managers see “butts in seats” as a sign of a well-run department, making work-life balance a challenge for parents with conflicts, the people say. One former Amazon worker says she had flexibility to work from home and other Amazon mothers who didn’t would bring their children to her house on snow days or when teachers went on strike, making her place a de facto day care center.Liz Swanby, a seven-year Amazon employee who oversees shipping hubs in the Midwest, says the company has supported her through two pregnancies, including one with complications. Amazon helped her plan in advance how to use the benefits and adjusted them as needed.“My mind was not on work whatsoever and it was super helpful,” says Swanby, whose wife stays home with the couple’s son, 3, and daughter, 2. “Amazon does a lot to support families.”
Despite Amazon’s reputation for frugality, it will occasionally dig deep to project an image of a hip, forward-thinking company. The new Seattle headquarters has rooftop dog parks and a tree house inside plant-filled spheres where employees can wax creative. The moms group says it’s time for the company to keep up with the rest of the tech industry by giving working parents the flexibility and support they need to balance professional and family demands. Some moms say backup day care would be especially beneficial for households with two parents working outside the home.
“The childcare topic was quickly identified as one of our biggest priorities,” states an email that circulated recently among the Momazonians. “We assert that a key to increasing diversity of women is to prioritize parent-friendly benefits and policies.”
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.