Global e-commerce business Amazon has revealed that it is offering £1,000 starting bonuses to new warehouse workers, due to rising demand for goods and to combat the UK’s recruitment crisis.
According to Amazon, new hires who sign up between now and 18 September will be eligible for the bonus, with all interviews being held virtually and no prior experience required.
In addition to this, the organisation is allowing full-time and contract members of staff to have immediate starts, flexible hours and a pay rate of up to £11.10 an hour for daytime shifts, which then doubles to £22.20 an hour for any overtime worked.
The business is advertising for full-time and temporary contracts on the Indeed jobs website for positions in locations in and around London including Croydon, Erith, Enfield, Hemel Hempstead and Luton.
Its warehouses across the country, including Redruth, Hull, Exeter, Bristol, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Southampton and Liverpool, have also advertised for “urgently needed” pickers and packers, who need to be capable of lifting parcels of up to 50 pounds in weight.
Applicants for Amazon’s fulfillment centre in Dartford have been offered free shuttle buses from the local train station.
The job adverts state: “Successful candidates will have a strong work ethic, attention to detail and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. If you’ve worked in a similar setting before, all the better – but most importantly, you’ll bring a true commitment to customer service and a keen desire to help to deliver a first-class Amazon experience.”
A business spokesman told the Evening Standard: “We are currently offering a sign-on bonus at a number of locations to attract new permanent and seasonal associates.”
This follows the revelation that UK business are struggling to fill roles across many industries as a result of European Union workers who have returned home because of Brexit and the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, as well as people having to self-isolate because of Covid.