Amazon launches ‘returnship’ program that includes remote work, caregiver benefits

HR DIVE

Ryan Golden

June 10, 2021

Dive Brief:

• Amazon announced June 3 the launch of a “returnship” program aimed at hiring individuals who either lost or left their jobs and have been out of the workforce for at least one year, including those displaced by the pandemic and its impacts.

• The program, launched in partnership with nonprofit Path Forward, will offer participants initial 16-week, paid opportunities covering organizational areas such as operations, finance and consumer payments, among others. Participants may work remotely during the 16 weeks and will be provided support including personalized coaching and child and elder care assistance.

• Participants “have the possibility” to begin full-time positions at Amazon following completion of the program, and Amazon will pay for the relocation expenses of those who do accept a full-time position. “Amazon expects that at least three out of every four participants in this program will be women returning to the American workforce,” the company said in its announcement.

Dive Insight:

The returnship model has spread to a number of employers in a variety of industries. Similar to the Amazon announcement, such programs have relied on partnerships with outside groups.

For example, last year saw a number of financial services firms partner with the Financial Women’s Association of New York on the launch of a transition program for both women and men. In 2019, The Mom Project and BP announced that the oil and gas producer would bring back its returnship program after a successful 2017 pilot.

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