Amazon workers from across the North East will now have the choice to opt for ‘term-time contracts’ enabling workers to have more time off with their children.

The contracts, that are said to be aimed at supporting “family needs” are being phased in for employees at the corporations Darlington, Durham and Gateshead fulfilment centres.

This means parents will have guaranteed time off in the summer holidays, through Easter break and at Christmas without affecting employment benefits.

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Following positive feedback, the scheme will be rolled out across sort centres and delivery stations around the UK later this year,

General Manager at Darlington’s Amazon centre, Mallikarjun Erasu, has praised the scheme that will increase work life balance for North East parents.

He said: “We’ve listened to our employees’ views on flexible working and I’m really proud that we’ve introduced new and innovative options based on their feedback.

“Both of these contracts put a really important emphasis on work-life balance and I’m certain they’re going to make a positive difference for many of our people.”

Alongside this scheme, the company has also launched a “pick your own shift” contract that requires a minimum of 80 hours per month.

This means employees can dictate and spread their own shifts across the day and night time, subverting the standard 40 hour working week that is most common at Amazon.

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Amazon’s UK Country Manager, John Boumphrey, remarked he is “delighted” to announce the job schemes.

He said: “Amazon already provides a four-day working week for our fulfilment centre employees in the UK, and term-time contracts are another great example of how we are using feedback from our people to support them with their childcare needs, giving families more time together.”

He added: “Providing a flexible part-time contract where people can pick the shifts that best suit their needs will support our employees’ partners and other job-seekers with family caring commitments a route back to the workplace, helping to boost household income.”