Hilary Sparrow’s Post

Yesterday, I had the honor of participating in a dynamic panel at the AdminzCon summit hosted in our Amazon London office. Alongside esteemed colleagues Cory Treadwell & @Elspeth McNeil, and under the excellent moderation of Ria Johal, we delved into the crucial topic of fostering diversity & inclusion in the workplace from a Male Admins perspective. Here are some key insights: 🔍 Diverse Perspectives Drive Innovation: Embracing diversity brings a wealth of viewpoints, decision-making styles, and leadership behaviors, fueling innovation and resilience. 💡 Breaking Down Barriers & Cultivating Inclusion: We discussed strategies to dismantle barriers and promote inclusivity. From amplifying roles and impact to advocating for oneself and fostering a culture of inclusivity, every effort counts. 🚀 Amazon's Inclusion Initiatives: At Amazon, we're dedicated to nurturing a culture of belonging. Our Affinity groups, Mentorship, and Sponsorship programs exemplify our commitment to supporting our employees on their inclusion journey. Each panelist shared personal experiences with these initiatives, underscoring their role in fostering belonging and driving professional advancement. Let's keep championing diversity and inclusion together! 💪 #AmazonInclusion #DiversityMatters #InnovationThroughInclusion

At Amazon, diversity and inclusion are key. 🌍🤝 We believe in fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. 💼❤️ Amazon's Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role. 💪👥 These groups support various communities within the company. 🌐 ERGs like Women@Amazon, Black Employee Network, and Amazon People with Disabilities promote a sense of belonging. 👩💼🧑🏽💼👨💼 Our inclusive hiring practices ensure diverse talent pools. 🎯👩💻👨💻 We focus on hiring veterans and people with disabilities. 🪖♿ Amazon's mentorship programs help employees grow and succeed. 📈🌟 These programs support underrepresented groups and promote career advancement. 🚀📚 Diversity brings creativity and innovation. 🌈💡 Inclusive teams perform better and make smarter decisions. 🤔✔️ Amazon's commitment to diversity benefits both employees and customers. 🎉💼 However, there is always more work to be done. 🔄 Continuous efforts are needed to ensure equality. ⚖️ Together, we can build a truly inclusive workplace. 🏢🌟 #100xLearners #Day14of30DaysChallenge #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkplaceEquality

🌍 Amazon’s DEI Strategies: Building a More Inclusive Future 🌍 Amazon’s DEI Statement: "We strive to be a top employer for diverse talent and to foster an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive." Amazon is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Here are some of the key strategies they are implementing to drive DEI forward: 🔹 Inclusive Hiring Practices: Amazon is dedicated to increasing the diversity of its workforce through inclusive hiring practices. They focus on attracting and retaining talent from all backgrounds. 🔹 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Amazon supports various ERGs that provide a space for employees to connect, share experiences, and advocate for positive change. These groups play a crucial role in promoting a culture of inclusion. 🔹 Training and Development: Amazon offers comprehensive training programs to educate employees on diversity, equity, and inclusion. These initiatives aim to build awareness and equip employees with the tools to support an inclusive workplace. 🔹 Equitable Opportunities: Ensuring that all employees have equal access to opportunities for growth and advancement is a priority. Amazon continually evaluates its policies and practices to eliminate biases and promote fairness. 🔹 Community Engagement: Amazon actively engages with communities to support diversity and inclusion beyond the workplace. They partner with organizations and initiatives that promote equity and provide resources to underserved groups. 🔹 Transparency and Accountability: Amazon publishes an annual Diversity Report, sharing their progress and goals. This transparency holds them accountable and drives continuous improvement in their DEI efforts. By embedding these strategies into their core operations, Amazon is not only creating a more inclusive workplace but also contributing to a more equitable society. 🌟 #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DEI #Amazon #WorkplaceInclusion #InclusiveWorkplace #HR #Leadership #DiversityMatters #CorporateResponsibility #EmployeeEngagement

🌟 Celebrating Diversity, Friendship, and a Positive Work Culture! 🌟 Today, I had the pleasure of catching up with some incredible friends from work. Each of us hails from different parts of the world, bringing unique cultures and perspectives. One friend has moved on to new adventures, and another now works different days than I do. Despite these changes, our bonds remain strong. This meetup reminded me of the power of diversity and a supportive work culture. At Amazon, we don't just talk about values like inclusivity, collaboration, and respect—we live them every day. ✔ Inclusivity: Embracing our differences to create an environment where everyone feels valued. ✔ Collaboration: Tackling challenges from multiple angles, fostering teamwork, and driving innovation. 🤝 ✔ Respect: Building trust and supporting each other, creating a harmonious workplace. ✔ Growth: Learning from diverse perspectives, broadening our horizons, and developing new skills. 📈 ✔ Community: Celebrating successes, supporting through challenges, and creating lasting friendships. A positive work culture enriches our professional and personal lives, making every day at work fulfilling and inspiring. Here’s to the spirit of diversity, positivity, and friendship! 🌟🌍 #Diversity #TeamSpirit #WorkCulture #Friendship #ProfessionalGrowth #Inclusivity #Collaboration #Respect #Community #Growth #LBA8 #AMAZON

Many people ask me what it’s like to work in Amazon Operations. What I love the most is that the organisation values feedback and, at the heart of all, it believes in employee success and contribution to the wider society. Diversity and inclusion are woven throughout our culture. #DEI #DiversityEquityInclusion #WomenLeaders #Amazon #WomenInOperations

My reflection on 4 years at Amazon and employer branding 🤔 As I reflect on my four-year tenure at Amazon, I'm filled with a sense of gratitude and admiration for the company that not only inspired me but also allowed me to flourish both personally and professionally. My last day at Amazon in March marked the end of an era, yet the impact it has left on me is massive. From the moment I embarked on my journey with Amazon, I was struck by the impeccable employee experience it offered. Every detail, from the initial phone interview to my last day at the modern office space, was crafted with precision and care. The onboarding process was seamless, the materials and equipment provided were top-notch, and the company culture fostered a sense of belonging and empowerment. What truly set Amazon apart for me was the people—the supportive managers, collaborative colleagues, and vibrant company culture that permeated every aspect of my work life. Despite the inevitable challenges and setbacks that come with any job, I always felt a deep sense of positivity and fulfilment that stemmed from my association with Amazon. You know, it's interesting how having a strong employer brand can really make a difference in snagging and keeping great talent. My journey at Amazon exemplifies the power of a compelling employer brand in attracting, retaining, and empowering top talent. As I embark on the next chapter of my career, I carry with me the invaluable lessons and experiences gained during my time at Amazon. May my story serve as a reminder of the importance of investing in your employer brand and creating an environment where employees can thrive and grow. #branding #employer #employerbranding #brand

Today I want to challenge #hiringmanagers at #Amazon and everywhere. While at Amazon it's never been directly said, I can assure you my age has been a barrier to more than one opportunity. #ageism As a Gen Xer who just turned 50 this month, I've encountered firsthand the challenges of ageism in the workplace. In interviews, I've been told that older applicants may not fit in or adapt well to the company culture. However, it's crucial to recognize that age does not dictate knowledge, adaptability, or work ethic. As seasoned professionals, we bring years of experience, a strong work ethic, and a desire to continue learning and growing. One advantage of hiring individuals aged 50 and above is our resilience and ability to navigate challenges without relying solely on technology. We have thrived in a time before the internet, Google, and cell phones, showcasing our ability to adapt and succeed regardless of external circumstances. It's important to address the impact of ageism on opportunities for advancement within companies. By overlooking the skills and expertise that older employees bring to the table, organizations miss out on valuable perspectives and contributions. Embracing diversity in age within the workforce can lead to increased innovation, mentorship opportunities, and a more inclusive environment overall. Let's challenge age stereotypes and recognize the value that individuals of all ages bring to the table. Embracing a multigenerational workforce not only benefits employees but also drives success and growth for businesses. We still want to advance, grow, and help you. Let us!

My ex Amazon VP and leadership used bias and favoritism that lead to my forced resignation. Favoritism in the workplace may seem harmless, but it is often discrimination in disguise. Here's just a few examples I witnessed and/or experienced at Amazon Music under my VPs “leadership.” **Unequal Opportunities**: Favoring certain employees over others can result in unfair advantages in promotions, projects, and professional development opportunities. This undermines meritocracy and can demotivate talented employees who are overlooked. **Bias and Prejudice**: Favoritism can stem from unconscious biases related to race, gender, age, or other characteristics, leading to discriminatory practices. When favoritism aligns with these biases, it reinforces discriminatory behavior and attitudes. **Workplace Morale**: A culture of favoritism creates resentment among employees who feel marginalized. This can lead to decreased morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. **Diverse Perspectives Lost**: When favoritism sidelines diverse voices, the organization misses out on valuable perspectives and ideas, hindering innovation and growth. To foster a fair and inclusive workplace, it's essential to recognize and ADDRESS favoritism. Promote transparency, equitable treatment, and objective criteria for decisions affecting employees. Let’s hold our employers accountable to building a culture where every employee feels valued and have an equal opportunity to succeed and stop forcing others out because of perceived bias. Stop the toxic culture and hostile work environment. This starts at the top and when the top is the problem, they need to go. Leadership that talks negatively about their leadership 1:1 but aligns on the back end ….you’re a part of the problem. You might be afraid to say something, but you assumed the role of leadership. You’re culpable for this behavior. #WorkplaceEquality #Discrimination #InclusiveWorkplace #Fairness #EmployeeRights #DiversityAndInclusion #Amazon

Amazon is a challenging place to work. Also a uniquely exciting one to develop a career. It has such a strong focus on maintaining a very differentiated culture, a set of #principles that enable amazing speed, ownership and innovation that sometimes (often even) it really makes people behave in ways that we are not used to in our past corporate experience. It is a polarizing place. You love it or you hate it. It is not a place where you can just switch on/off on Mondays & Fridays. If you do not “embody” the way of working, it will eat you alive. But boy, how much fun it can be if you learn how to ride the beast! Reading “Exit Interview” by Kristi Coulter has made me re-experience my first 5 years in the company, and the difficult yet obvious decision to leave at some point. It has also made me reflect and deep dive on why I decided to come back after 3 years away. I love the working culture of Amazon, because of what it enables me to achieve, to learn and to grow as a professional. From all the opinions in the book, the one I totally agree with and want to actively work to change is the lack of diversity and promotion of strong women to make the company less of a boy’s club, alpha-led environment. I’ve been very lucky to know probably one of the strongest women in Amazon from my very first day in 2016, when I joined Kara Hartnett Hurst sustainability team. I am now also very lucky to work for an amazing expert and leader such as Lindsay McQuade. But we still need to do much more to have a leadership that is representative of our customers, diverse and inclusive. #Diversity #WomenLeadership #Change #Principles #Values

【Amazon Japan Interview relay for International Women's Day】 The theme for International Women's Day on March 8, 2024, is "Inspire Inclusion." What does inclusion mean to you? Explore the thoughts of some of our Amazon employees on the concept of inspiring inclusion. ************************* Yu. S I joined Amazon in Dec 2020 and have been working as a Finance Manager to support Retail Electronics & IT Solution department along with other multiple projects.I feel rewarded when my financial modelling/insights support decision making. <What does Inclusion mean to me?> It means respecting personal career development and fostering an environment where open discussions are welcomed. I have career development discussions with my manager every two months. This provides me with an opportunity to candidly discuss assignments that align with my growth and are tied to my mid-term career development plan. Sometimes, when I feel confused or lose direction, my manager's advice inspires me to move forward. Additionally, exchanging opinions about internal transfer opportunities with team members is encouraged in my team. This practice helps me gather more information from different perspectives that I may not have noticed before. #IWD×AMAZON #InspireInclusion #IWD2024 #AmazonJapan #InsiteAmazon