Building an Inclusive Culture at Amazon

By Matthew-James Hallett

At Amazon we are a company of diverse people who bring varying backgrounds, ideas, and points of view to inventing on behalf of all customers.

At Amazon we are a company of diverse people who bring varying backgrounds, ideas, and points of view to inventing on behalf of all customers.

Our diverse perspectives are enriched by many dimensions, including and not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, culture, language, and education, as well as professional and life experience. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and leveraging our unique perspectives to scale our impact and grow.

Our diverse perspectives are enriched by many dimensions, including and not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, culture, language, and education, as well as professional and life ex perience. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and leveraging our unique perspectives to scale our impact and grow.

Amazon’s ability to innovate on behalf of our global customers and communities is dependent upon the skills, perspectives, and knowledge of people from all backgrounds. We believe that building a welcoming and inclusive culture is essential to people doing their best work. We actively recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds and foster an inclusive workplace. We take steps to ensure employees have a sense of belonging, feel valued, and have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Amazon’s ability to innovate on behalf of our global customers and communities is dependent upon the skills, perspectives, and knowledge of people from all backgrounds. We believe that building a welcoming and inclusive culture is essential to peo ple doing their best work. We actively recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds and foster an inclusive workplace. We take steps to ensure employees have a sense of belonging, feel val ued, and have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Amazon South Africa (ZAF) has 5 affinity groups, also known as employee resource groups, which bring Amazon employees together across businesses and locations around the world. Over the past year, Glamazon has created partnerships and collaborations with other affinity groups in the business, as well as the operational team for site wide engagement campaigns.

Amazon South Africa (ZAF) has 5 affinity groups, also known as employee resource groups, which bring Amazon employees to gether across businesses and locations around the world. Over the past year, Glamazon has created partnerships and collabo rations with other affinity groups in the business, as well as the operational team for site wide engagement campaigns.

Glamazon helps Amazon be a great place to work by educating and informing employees about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer (LGBTQIA+) community. The group mentors fellow employees (both LGBTQ+ and allies) and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Amazon is more visible within the LGBTQ+ community-at-large by sponsoring events and PRIDE around the globe. Glamazon supported the creation of a Transgender Toolkit for managers and employees to use when going through a gender transition in the workplace. In 2019, thanks to the efforts of Glamazon working with leaders across the company, we were honored again to receive a 100 score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index, a US benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees.

Glamazon helps Amazon be a great place to work by educating and informing employees about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer (LGBTQIA+) community. The group mentors fellow employees (both LGBTQ+ and allies) and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Amazon is more visible within the LGBTQ+ community-at-large by sponsoring events and PRIDE around the globe. Glamazon supported the creation of a Transgender Toolkit for managers and employees to use when going through a gender transition in the workplace. In 2019, thanks to the efforts of Glamazon working with leaders across the company, we were honoured again to receive a 100 score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index, a US benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees.

A partnership that has seen smiles being delivered both to our internal and external customers, Glamazon worked in partnership with Amazon Gives, the companies Corporate Social Investment and Outreach Team. Where the teams worked together on outreach campaigns during youth month. The team purchased and handed over winter accessories, toiletries, educational toys, detergents, frozen foods and nonperishable food items to five Children Homes and Shelters across South Africa

A partnership that has seen smiles being delivered both to our internal and external customers, Glamazon worked in partnership with Amazon Gives, the companies Corporate Social Investment and Outreach Team. Where the teams worked together on outreach campaigns during youth month. The team purchased and handed over winter accessories, toiletries, educational toys, detergents, frozen foods and nonperishable food items to five Children Homes and Shelters across South Africa

In 2022 a collaboration with the ZAF leadership and Peak Committee, Glamazon and Amazon Gives hosted a lunch for 80 residents at the Haven Night shelter in District Six. Together the teams handed over chairs, plates, glasses and non-perishable food items to the shelter as well as hundreds of preloved clothing items were donated. We had Amazonians present at the venue, and they decorated the eating hall with Christmas décor, and enjoyed lunch and engaged with all the residents.

In 2022 a collaboration with the ZAF leadership and Peak Committee, Glamazon and Amazon Gives hosted a lunch for 80 residents at the Haven Night shelter in District Six. Together the teams handed over chairs, plates, glasses and non-perishable food items to the shelter as well as hundreds of preloved clothing items were donated. We had Amazonians present at the venue, and they decorated the eating hall with Christmas décor, and enjoyed lunch and engaged with all the residents.

Glamazon also introduced Self Defense Classes that were held at our Cape Town Offices for at risk Glamazonian’s and Amazonians. The team worked with a professional Stunt Man who is also a 4th Dan in Taekwon-Do, and an Amazonian too! This is an event that has been and will continue to be hosted quarterly for our local

Glamazon also introduced Self Defense Classes that were held at our Cape Town Offices for at risk Glamazonian’s and Amazonians. The team worked with a professional Stunt Man who is also a 4th Dan in Taekwon-Do, and an Amazonian too! This is an event that has been and will continue to be hosted quarterly for our local team.

Glamazon is also focused on educating our community, allies and colleagues, and over the past year has introduced numerous Town Hall Sessions with Senior Leadership both in Cape Town and Johannesburg, focusing on DEI and LGBTQIA+ leadership. In addition to this, Glamazon also hosted a Road Show in 2022 for ZAF Leadership, and facilitated Gender and Pronouns Training to the South African and Philippines Leadership teams. The Glamazon Leadership Team started a project with our local recruiters around inclusive hiring and are excited to continue this in 2023.

Glamazon is also focused on educating our community, allies and colleagues, and over the past year has introduced numerous Town Hall Sessions with Senior Leadership both in Cape Town and Johannesburg, focusing on DEI and LGBTQIA+ leadership. In addition to this, Glamazon also hosted a Road Show in 2022 for ZAF Leadership, and facilitated Gender and Pronouns Training to the South African and Philippines Leadership teams. The Glamazon Leadership Team started a project with our local recruiters around inclusive hiring and are excited to continue this in 2023.