Company also announces boost to hourly wages for Canadian workers
As the holiday season approaches, Amazon is ramping up its workforce across Canada, announcing plans to hire more than 9,000 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.
These new positions will involve various tasks including stowing, picking, packing, sorting, and shipping customer orders. Amazon notes that seasonal roles can serve as gateways to longer-term careers at the company.
The new hires will support Amazon's operations network, which spans fulfillment centers, sortation centers, and delivery stations, ensuring rapid delivery times during the peak shopping period.
For the second half of 2024, more than half (52%) of employers plan to create new permanent positions, while 41% intend to fill vacated roles, according to a report from Robert Half.
Alongside the hiring push, Amazon has announced an increase in employee compensation. Average base hourly wage in Canada has risen to $22.25, up from $20.80 in 2023. Regular hourly employees can also expect guaranteed raises through Amazon's step plan compensation model, receiving pay increases every six months for the first 24 months, with an additional increase at 36 months, according to the company.
Employees can also receive referral bonuses if they refer new candidates who get hired to eligible positions.
Amazon also offers a wide range of benefits for eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as access to a group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) (RRSP) plan.
The company also provides career development opportunities through its Career Choice program. This paid benefit allows employees to acquire new skills in high-demand fields by partnering with over 20 educational institutions across Canada. Amazon recently expanded this program to include language classes, which are now available from day one of employment.
Nearly three in four employees at Amazon are planning to quit as they express strong dissatisfaction over the company's mandate to work five days a week starting next year.
