Friday, 20 November 2015
Amazon Announces
Paternity Leave and Extended Maternity Leave for Its Employees
by MICHAEL SEBASTIAN
Amazon
is expanding its maternity leave and introducing paid leave for dads for the
first time, according to the the Seattle
Times. Washington
Meanwhile,
Amazon is also planning to open its first physical bookstore. The
store, which will be called Amazon Books, is set to open in Seattle
Amazon
is expanding its maternity leave and introducing paid leave for dads for the
first time, according to the the Seattle
Times.
The
new policy on paid leave will give birth mothers who've worked at Amazon
for at least a year up to 20 weeks of paid leave, the Seattle Times reported. Parents of either gender,
whether birth parents or adoptive parents, will be eligible for up to six weeks
of paid leave. Amazon was offering eight weeks of paid maternity
leave and no paternity leave, according to The
New YorkTimes.
Amazon,
which faced scrutiny for its grueling workplace culture and was the subject of
a recent New York Times expose, also introduced a
"flexible return-to-work program" and "an ability to share leave
with a spouse who does not work for the retailer," the Times said.
The
announcement follows other big tech companies like Microsoft and Netflix, both
of which expanded their paid leave this year. Netflix, in fact, is now offering new parents up to one full-year of paid
leave. But there's also an unspoken tension over whether the work
environments at these large companies allow for parents to take off so much
time without feeling they're hurting their careers or letting down their
co-workers.
Wired magazine points out magazine
points out that Amazon
announced the expanded leave at an opportune time — just as
it's looking to motivate employees during the holiday rush and blunt criticism
from the Times piece. It also comes as the topic of
paid leave takes on greater importance in Washington
Meanwhile,
Amazon is also planning to open its first physical bookstore. The
store, which will be called Amazon Books, is set to open in Seattle
Eva Longoria and Nina Garcia Have a Candid Chat About What It Means to Be Latina Today
Hispanic
Heritage Month is wrapping up, but Eva Longoria's advocacy for Latinas extends
far beyond October. The actress, producer, and founder of the Eva Longoria
Foundation works tirelessly to highlight issues important to Latinas, and sat
down with Marie
Clairecreative director, Nina Garcia, to talk about how her own Hispanic
heritage shaped her career.
Nina Garcia: Hispanic Heritage Month is
nearly coming to a close, but there's so much to still talk about. I have to
say, I totally agree with your list of things that Latinas kick ass
at.
For me, two of my biggest priorities—besides fashion—are family and my home.
How has your family and heritage shaped your perspective and influenced what
you do now?
"GIVE A GIRL AN EDUCATION AND SHE CAN GO OUT INTO THE WORLD, GET A JOB , AND LIFT HER FAMILY OUT OF POVERTY."
Eva
Longoria: My upbringing is responsible for the
woman I am today! Growing up as the youngest of four sisters, I come from an
extremely close family with strong female role models including my mother, who
managed to have a full-time job and still have dinner on the table every evening.
My mother is a huge reason I've grown into the woman I am today. Also, having a
sister born with a mental disability really put things into perspective for me
and my family. Liza inspired me to start a charity for other kids like her who
have special needs. And all of my philanthropic energy and motivation come
directly from witnessing these amazing women in my family throughout my entire
childhood.
NG: I had a very similar relationship
with my mother. She was very stylish, and was the first person to introduce me
to fashion. I'll never forget those moments I spent with her—they have had such
a profound impact on who I am today. With your mother being able to manage work
and the home, I can see where your interest in home came from. Now you've
designed a home collection for JCPenney. Where and when did this desire to
design come, and what is the inspiration behind the collection?
EL: I've always wanted to delve into home
décor. Even before I began acting, my childhood consisted of being taught how
to cook and sew by my mother and aunts. I used to go to the fabric stores and
get discounted fabric and make my own pillows, curtains, and duvets. My aunt
always told me "make a house a home," and that's what my line was
created for. I like a house to feel beautiful, yet functional. I just want
others to enjoy their living spaces the way I do!
NG: You have been such a leader for
Latinas and an inspiration for the Hispanic community. From having a
Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology to earning a Master's degree in
Chicano Studies to being the founder of The Eva Longoria Foundation, it
seems you have done it all and then some. Can you tell me how you have become
the Renaissance woman that you are today? Do you feel you were prepared for the
success you have achieved?
EL: I was lucky that education played a big
part in my life. I come from a family of educators and my mother and aunts
always told me the only way for economic mobility is education. No matter what
you want to do in life, get educated about that industry. So I received my
Bachelor's degree before heading to Hollywood
"EVERYONE DESERVES A QUALITY EDUCATION AND WE KNOW LATINAS AREN'T GETTING
IT."
NG: I
completely agree. For me, education was a very enlightening experience.
When I was first starting out in Boston after being born and raised in
Colombia, I remember going through culture shock—and with English as my second
language, there have definitely been some hurdles of all shapes and sizes that
I've had to overcome. But an obstacle in your path doesn't mean stop; it means
you have to get creative and work harder.
Issues like education and the success of
your fellow Latinas have been very important to you. Talk to me about the
creation and evolution of the Eva Longoria Foundation.
EL: The foundation was created to help
Latinas access resources and opportunities to build better futures for
themselves, as well as their families, through education and entrepreneurship.
I find education to be extremely important—give a girl an education and she can
go out into the world, get a job, and lift her family out of poverty. Everyone
deserves a quality education and we know Latinas aren't getting it. We live in
the US Latina US
NG: Were
there any resources you wish you had while trying to break through that are
available for young Latinas now? What still isn't available for young Latinas
that you'd like to be?
EL: I think that there are plenty of
resources available today for women everywhere. It's a matter of finding those
resources and knowing they exist. I was lucky to be involved with great
organizations at a young age, like NCLR and LULAC. These clubs and after-school
programs made me hyper-aware of the possibilities that were out there. So I
think we just need to guide Latinas to find these organizations and capitalize
on those opportunities.
NG: Inspiring. My last
question is this: What is your best piece of advice for all Hispanic women
and men out there trying to go after their dream?
EL: I have a lot of advice for those
pursuing a dream. First, never give up. Second, always be prepared for the
opportunity. Luck is defined when preparation meets opportunity. You
still have to work hard and create your own opportunities. Educate yourself on
how best to approach your dream. Goals focus you, but dreams have power.
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