“Before Amazon, I worked in an elderly care home for three years. I wanted a new career. Working for Amazon has been the best move of my life. Good wage, good managers, great team and a pension are just some of the benefits here,” says Bethany Frisby who works at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Doncaster. “Thanks, Amazon, for putting a smile on my face and for giving me the opportunity to purchase my first home. Here’s to the next 43 years (when I retire!)”
Bethany is one of 22 members of the Amazon UK team who took place in the annual I Found The Right Place programme, which invites Amazon employees working across the UK to tell the company why it is the right place for them and what they love most about life at Amazon.
The stories all share similarities. Opportunities to progress, the chance to make new friends and the excitement of no two days ever being the same are mentioned frequently. The option to develop new qualifications through company-funded courses, an improved work-life balance and, of course, the chance to visit Seattle are also among the key reasons why the 22 UK participants love working at Amazon.
More than 600 employees from across Amazon’s UK customer fulfilment network took part in the I Found the Right Place programme, with the chance to visit the company’s headquarters in Seattle.
Feeling motivated
“Before I joined Amazon, I was between jobs and had several positions that didn’t really respect my work-life balance. Since joining Amazon, I’ve never felt like I didn’t want to go to work – I always feel positive and motivated,” adds Liam Fletcher, who works at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Warrington.
Liam and Bethany’s stories reflect that of many of their colleagues – the positive impact of their job on their lives, inside and outside work. This is a sentiment echoed by Agnieszka Oles from Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Bolton.
Endless possibilities
“I’ve achieved more in one year here than in 10 years in other jobs” says Agnieszka. “There are endless possibilities, the team spirit is fantastic and the chance to take part in programmes like I Found the Right place is incredible. I’ve never been to the States, so this was a big deal for me.”
The opportunity to visit Seattle was a big deal for the UK participants. A trip to the Space Needle, a visit to the world-famous Pike Place Market and a ticket to the Seattle Thunderbirds were just some of the activities enjoyed by the UK team during their visit.
On Campus
The UK team also visited The Spheres, toured Amazon Campus and met Dave Clark, Amazon Senior Vice President, Worldwide Operations. It was the mix of education and fun that struck a chord with Kinga Kovacs, who works at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Daventry. “The Amazon Campus is such a diverse place, with so many interesting things going on. That has definitely been one of my favourite parts of the trip, along with a visit to the Space Needle. The views are breath taking!” She said.
Thunderbirds are go!
It wasn’t just the Amazon Campus that wowed the visitors – a certain local sports team also captured a few hearts, as Vera Menclova from the Amazon Delivery Station in Glasgow says. “Seeing the Seattle Thunderbirds was amazing. I wasn’t ready for how great it was - I’m a genuine fan from watching that one game! It’s like nothing else I’ve ever experienced, the atmosphere and the enthusiasm was amazing.”
While the story themes of why people love working at Amazon are development, work-life balance, progression and opportunity, one major theme binds the story of their trip to Seattle: friendship.
Laura Malniece works at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Peterborough and as the trip came to a close, she summed up the experience of sharing the trip with new friends. “They were incredible. I absolutely love these guys! Everyone felt so included on this trip and I believe we’ve made some friends for life.”
Amazon employees have access to a wide range of benefits, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals, an employee discount, which combined are worth more than £700 annually, as well as a company pension plan.
Amazon also offers employees the opportunity to participate in an innovative programme called Career Choice. The programme provides funding for adult education, offering to pre-pay 95% of tuition and associated fees for nationally recognised courses, up to £8,000 over four years.
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