As a B Corporation, the culture at AMS Fulfillment is naturally inclined toward volunteering and supporting community organizations. Each year, AMS coordinates volunteer events for all employees, friends and families to join. We have organized group participation in some of these events in the past, and it has been very rewarding.
Two of the three events took place on September 18th and the third was on the 26th. AMS volunteers signed up to help and everyone had an excellent time as the photos below will demonstrate.
River Rally Clean Up, Santa Clarita, CA, Saturday, September 18th
The Santa Clara River, which runs through the Santa Clarita Valley, is one of the last natural, free-flowing river systems in southern California. This year, the River Rally brought at least 1,200 volunteers together to clean a portion of the Santa Clara River to help protect the endangered species that call it home, including the California red-legged frog and California condor.
Kelly’s Run Invasive Removal, Holtwood, PA, Saturday, September 18, 2021
Volunteers assisted with an ecological restoration project that involved removal of invasive shrubs to restore native forest, savannah, and meadow. This is part of an ongoing and larger effort to restore parts of Kellys Run to pollinator garden, meadow and savannah, increasing the overall biodiversity of the preserve.
Grace Resource Center, Lancaster, CA, Sunday, September 26th
Grace Resource Center provides a safe place for the community to serve others through their volunteer and community service programs. Thank you to our AMS client for donating 50 of their handbags! And thank you to the Team of employees, both behind the scenes and putting bags together, who did their special part to make it happen!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease. This commemorative month has been a part of the American culture for quite a while now, since 1985. Many of us have participated in a run or a walk in the past. We all know the pink ribbon symbol and we truly appreciate it as a valuable reminder to get tested, for early detection saves lives.
Back in AMS history, in 2010, the company and employees donated their time creating gift bags for the Cedars Sinai Medical Center “Run for Her.” It was a very large charitable event, so large in fact, that 5,000 gift bags for participants were assembled. AMS offered the gift bag fulfillment and participated in the event in honor of a beloved co-worker, Jean Meyer, who lost her battle with breast cancer.
What is happening in 2021 is different, as are most things since the pandemic began. There are runs and walks taking place this year, but not in the same way we have seen in the past. The Susan G. Koman “More Than Pink Walk” took place on the 25th of September as a virtual event, with people connecting on Facebook and walking on their own, virtually in the company of others.
As anyone who has gone to a clinic or hospital in recent months knows, the pandemic is changing how healthcare is delivered. On the website Breastcancer.org we find information on how COVID 19 has affected treatment over the past nearly two years.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected just about every aspect of life, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for breast cancer. People who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and people who are at high risk for breast cancer have found themselves in a uniquely difficult and sometimes frightening position since the coronavirus crisis began. Many of you are wondering if it’s safe to go to certain medical appointments or if you should postpone treatments or screening. Others have had their treatments delayed or changed.
“In this Special Report from breastcancer.org, we have gathered the most important information you need to know about the impact the coronavirus has had on breast cancer care, including why currently being treated for breast cancer can raise the risk of serious COVID-19 complications, what healthcare facilities are doing to minimize your exposure to the virus when seeking medical care, and how to get the best care possible even if your treatment plan changes.”
AMS Fulfillment recognizes that our employees, both women and men, have experience with breast cancer among family and friends. We encourage our readers to visit breastcancer.org and check out the report as well as another excellent source of information on prevention in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at preventcancer.org.
Another great resource is found at the CDC website: the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides several resources. For readers seeking free or low-cost screening, please check out this CDC listing as well.
Let the pink ribbon remind us that early detection saves lives!!
National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month dates back to 1945, when Congress declared the first week in October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” The word “physically” was deleted in 1962 to acknowledge individuals with all types of disabilities. The week was expanded to a month by Congress in 1988 and its name was also changed to NDEAM.
When the Office of Disability Employment Policy was created in 2001, it was given responsibility for NDEAM, including selection of its annual theme. The theme for NDEAM 2021, is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.” This theme is chosen to reflect the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
AMS has been recognizing NDEAM for a number of years, with our participation in a special event in 2015 to our 2018 “Inclusion Drives Innovation” Continental Breakfast on the AMS campus, utilizing the Learning Center classroom space. AMS has long been a leader in the movement to employ individuals with disabilities, recognizing that indeed, inclusion does drive innovation. In 2021 we continue our practice of employing individuals with Disabilities.
To advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) AMS has launched DE&I Training for all employees to take. In August the company relaunched DE&I Champions to represent each location! Creating an accepting, inclusive and educated culture is not only important to reduce the chances of discrimination, it will also allow all AMS employees to feel welcome, safe and valued.
AMS Fulfillment works with the following agencies to recruit and hire individuals with disabilities: Desert Haven, Lancaster House, Pleasant View, California Spectrum, DOR (Department of Rehabilitation) and the Mayors Committee for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities. AMS’ Chief Workforce Development Officer, Ken Wiseman, is a past member and former Chair of the Mayor’s Committee.
In 2021, AMS has graduated 54 employees in DE&I Training. This training is a job requirement. Also in 2021 the company relaunched the DE&I Champions program, where one or two representatives per building will champion Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity. The DE&I Champions will serve as an essential resource and an incubator to encourage, support, and recognize employee participation in these efforts.
The AMS DE&I Champions are available to talk with employees about diversity and how safe and secure they might feel at work. The Champions also arrange events, help with the reviewing of policies and workplace culture documents, identify areas in which the business can improve its efforts to be more inclusive and help to ensure everyone has the facilities to be comfortable at work.
We know that when individuals feel happy and secure at work, they’re more likely to stick around for longer and perform better in their role. It goes without saying that an openly diverse and welcoming business, will attract more of the best talent and could even be the reason why someone chooses to work there.
September 15th marked the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which will run through October 15. During this month to come, schools, government, businesses and organizations have an opportunity to recognize and celebrate members of our communities whose ancestors hail from Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America and Spain.
Why would this commemorative month start on September 15th rather than the 1st? According to CNN.com, there is a very good reason for this choice of dates:
“Rather than starting at the beginning of September, Hispanic Heritage Month takes place over 30 days starting on the 15th — a nod to the anniversaries of national independence for a number of Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all recognize September 15 as the date of their independence, while Mexico’s independence is celebrated September 16 and Chile celebrates its independence September 18.”
Hispanic Heritage Month began 53 years ago, in 1968, with a week-long observance. At that time, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill and issued a proclamation about the contributions made by people of Hispanic descent. According to the CNN article, that was a period when, “Chicanos in the Southwest, Mexican Americans, Latinos across the country were demanding greater inclusion and representation politically, culturally, socially, and economically.” It was time for their important role in the United States to be recognized. Nearly 20 years later, under President Ronald Regan, the week was expanded to Hispanic Heritage Month.
The theme of the 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month was announced by the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) as follows: “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.” At their website, Ms. Adroma Castillo speaks to the choice of theme:
“Humanity is going through very painful moments caused by the pandemic, but we must remember that after the storm comes the calm. In this portrait, we can appreciate a hand that raises the flags of Hispanics together with people of different ethnicities looking towards a majestic rainbow that represents Hope. “Esperanza!” The thing that characterizes us as Hispanics is that no matter what storms we go through, we always look up and know that life will be dressed in colors like a shiny rainbow in the sky.
“The infinity ribbon design was inspired by the theme, Hispanics: Be Proud of Your Past and Embrace the Future. The greatness of America can be measured by the collective contributions of its citizens past and present, and our future will be measured by our ability to uphold and instill unto others our most valuable assets: our shared culture, history, knowledge, and sense of community. As Hispanics, taking pride in the accomplishments and achievements of our mentors and our ancestors brings into focus the endless possibilities available to us today and boosts our capacity for embracing the future. This is our infinite cycle.”
As with other commemorations of a special month of learning and appreciation, AMS recognizes that Hispanic Heritage should be appreciated and celebrated every day and every month, at all times of the year.
Among our over 600 employees, 344 have identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino! We have offered free, on-campus English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for a number of years with dozens of graduates. There are 29 graduates so far in 2021. AMS is also excited to launch Spanish Learning for Leaders in the Fall in order to improve communication and advance equity and inclusivity in the workplace.
In 2022 AMS will continue to provide ESL classes and Spanish Learning, in order to bring us closer as ONE. In addition to education and training, AMS appreciates the Hispanic Heritage of our employees by contracting with one of our favorite local businesses, LaCo Taco, for employee recognition and celebration lunches.
Here below we have placed links to resources made available to inform and help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
AMS has been a leader in workforce development and equitable hiring and promotion for many years. As one of the major job providers in our various communities, AMS Fulfillment has taken to heart the obligation to serve those who have challenges in finding employment, whether from disability, homelessness, justice involvement, race or sexual orientation or single parenthood. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in hiring and promotion is practiced at AMS. And this is but one of the things we do as a B Corporation.
Each week the B The Change website publishes articles about the practices of various B Corporations. We read and learn, tell others about what B Corps are doing, and introduce our readers to outstanding companies and practices in our blog series. This week, #25 of the series is going to feature a B Corp with hiring practices that truly break down barriers. The company we feature this week is a successful bakery with many years of being good for the world
At B the change readers will find great articles about great companies. In a recent communication the organization had this to say about the companies they feature:
“Piloting, trying, experimenting, innovating. Doing something new and different goes by many names but has a common goal: change.
“Businesses in the Certified B Corporation community are pursuing change in many of these ways with a common purpose to create benefit beyond the bottom line.
“By advocating for equitable policy, diversifying corporate governance, expanding employment opportunities, and valuing connections with nature and neighbors, B Corps are driving change that benefits their stakeholders — environment, community, workers, consumers. Guided by purpose, they are rethinking what it means to lead in the business world.”
Please enjoy our featured article about a company that practices open hiring.
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How a Bakery Is Breaking Down Barriers to Employment
B Corp Expands Opportunities Through Open Hiring and Job Development Programs
“People can get trapped in cycles of poverty and unemployment for myriad reasons, many of which involve systemic issues and injustices. This reality can hold back people in many communities, especially marginalized ones, and keeps us from reaching our full potential on innovation and economic growth as a nation. One business innovation that addresses one root of chronic poverty is open hiring.
“Open hiring is the practice of hiring anyone who applies for a job, no questions asked. People put their names on a list and get a call to start work when an opening comes available. Greyston Bakery, founded in 1982, is a pioneer of the practice and has used it since the company first began. Through the Greyston Foundation, the Certified B Corporation has worked to expand open hiring and other job-development programs.
“We want to educate as many people as we can on the possibility of open hiring,” says Joseph Kenner, President and CEO of Greyston Bakery. “Sometimes, if a business is really on the skeptical end of the spectrum, we tell them to open up just one job to open hiring. It doesn’t have to be a whole department. It is low risk. It can be whatever position you think works for your organization.”“
Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of August! Congratulations to Robbie W., Rony V., Cassandra C., Tunicia J., Brittany C., Robyn H., Jessica B., Andres C. and Jeff D.
In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we know the value of our employees, and we respect them and invest in them.
The following nominations demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond, and deserves Special Thanks! All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate & T-Shirt!
Robbie W., Inventory Receiving Clerk (07/06/2021)
Harrison, CA
I nominate Robbie for EOM. He has been doing a great job. He works hard and motivates the people around him to ensure they are getting the job done. He works well with everyone on the team and sees no task too small. He is always busy and asks, “what’s next” to get the job done.
Rony V., Returns Clerk (08/02/2004)
HQ, Valencia, CA
I Nominate Rony for August Employee of the month. Rony is an amazing team player and pleasure to work with. He is always helpful in whatever area he is placed, whether he is working on returns or picking for one or more of our clients. He always works hard and does his work with a great attitude. He is a great team member to have in Returns Department and helps everyone. He is very welcoming, takes his job seriously and is very professional on everything he does. He is a pleasure to work with and I am grateful he is part of our team.
Cassandra C., Account Coordinator (01/11/2021)
HQ Office, Valencia, CA
I nominate Cassandra for employee of the month because she has shown a lot of growth. We had a Key person on the team call out and Cassandra stepped up and took on a majority of that manager’s tasks during a very busy day. She is great to work with and we appreciate all of her help. She continues to learn so many of the different tasks that Client Services takes on and embraces the learning process.
Tunicia J., Returns Clerk (11/19/2019)
LIV, Valencia, CA
I would like to nominate Tunicia for Employee of the Month for August. Since she has come to our department, she has done nothing but help in any way requested. Tunicia has quickly become a top-notch picker and has become a huge part of making sure the orders are packed correctly and that we are getting all the orders out in a timely manner. Huge Team Player!!
Brittany C., Wonolu New Castle (06/28/2021)
New Castle, DE
I would like to nominate Brittany for EOM. She is a member of the WAK order fulfilment team and continues to demonstrate a commitment to our customer. She is diligent, detail oriented and works with a sense of urgency.
Robyn H., DFC Operator (04/05/2021)
New Holland, PA
I would like to nominate Robyn for August EOM. She always comes to work with a positive attitude. She is always punctual when arriving to work and coming back from breaks. Robyn’s work ethic is exactly what every employer looks for in an employee. She performs her tasks to the best of her ability and is always willing to help out when and where she can with her fellow employees on a daily basis.
Jessica B., DFC Supervisor (06/08/2021)
Newark, DE
I would like to nominate Jessica for Employee of the Month. Jessica has been instrumental with opening the Newark location. She is diligent, hardworking, and supportive of our customer needs. Jessica stays late when needed and often comes in to help on the weekends.
Andres C., Production Lead F (07/21/2008)
WIL, Valencia, CA
I would like to nominate Andreas for EOM. He is an excellent co-worker. He has 100% commitment to do the job professionally, fast, and efficiently. He takes initiative, accepts all challenges, and carries out additional responsibilities. He is very dedicated to the job and is always doing the correct things to get the job done. He is a key team player at Williams. We appreciate his commitment to his work.”
Jeff D., Receiving Clerk (04/25/2016)
WIT, Valencia, CA
I nominate Jeff for EOM. Jeff stepped up in the day to day receiving operations, particularly in my absence of two weeks’ vacation. Our department never skipped a beat and Jeff’s leadership played a key role in leading our team, especially during a heavy inbound activity period.
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To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!
A short time ago American workers enjoyed a day off, but few of us really thought about the meaning of the holiday: Labor Day. What is it about? Looking back into the story of the holiday we see It’s about recognizing the high value of the workers and respecting them as human beings by giving them time off from work!
From the Department of Labor website we see the following: “Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.”
Unlike other holidays, Labor Day doesn’t have any gifts or costumes or stories. For many people it could include time with friends or family, and perhaps a barbeque. It marks the last weekend of summer and the start of the school year, so school age children might see it as the last day of freedom.
At “The Conversation” online magazine we see the following information on how the holiday came to be.
“The holiday’s founders in the late 1800s envisioned something very different from what the day has become. The founders were looking for two things: a means of unifying union workers and a reduction in work time.
“In the 1830s, manufacturing workers were putting in 70-hour weeks on average. Sixty years later, in 1890, hours of work had dropped, although the average manufacturing worker still toiled in a factory 60 hours a week.
“These long working hours caused many union organizers to focus on winning a shorter eight-hour work day. They also focused on getting workers more days off, such as the Labor Day holiday, and reducing the workweek to just six days.
“These early organizers clearly won since the most recent data show that the average person working in manufacturing is employed for a bit over 40 hours a week and most people work only five days a week.”
At AMS Fulfillment we are grateful for the gains of labor in the past. As a B Corporation we attempt to set a new, higher standard in recognizing the value of labor today and in the future. AMS carries on the meaning of Labor Day by investing in our employees, offering free on-campus college education courses, job training and encouragement to advance. We also have a long history of inclusive hiring and promotion practices.
The days of exploitation of labor are over, and we are grateful to those who, in the past, fought the fight for respect and appreciation of the workforce. Our B Corporation commitment is to be ‘good for the world’, and for AMS good for the world means good for our workforce. We know they are the reason for our success. Thank you to all AMS Employees!
The AMS Green Team is responsible for implementing environmentally beneficial efforts across all AMS Fulfillment locations, East and West Coast. The AMS Volunteer Committee has stepped in to support Green Team efforts by organizing participation in the following environmental programs taking place within our communities: Work day: Kelly’s Run Invasive Removal in Lancaster, PA, and the 26th Annual River Rally Cleanup in Santa Clarita, CA. Both events are taking place on September 18th.
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Work Day: Kellys Run Invasive Removal Volunteer Event, Saturday September 18th for Volunteers at AMS East in Lancaster, PA.
This event is organized by the Lancaster Conservancy to benefit Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve. Volunteers will assist with an ecological restoration project that is removing invasive shrubs to restore native forest, savannah, and meadow. This is part of an ongoing and larger effort to restore parts of Kellys Run to pollinator garden, meadow and savannah, increasing the overall biodiversity of the preserve.
26th Annual River Rally Cleanup Event, September 18th for Volunteers at AMS West, Santa Clarita, CA
The Santa Clara River, which runs through the Santa Clarita Valley, is one of the last natural, free-flowing river systems in southern California. Each year, the River Rally brings at least 1,200 volunteers together to clean a portion of the Santa Clara River to help protect the endangered species that call it home, including the California red-legged frog and California condor.
During the event, volunteers will have the opportunity to enjoy the Environmental Expo, which will feature non-profits, community groups and governmental organizations offering tips on conserving our local watershed, pollution prevention, recycling and more.
We encourage AMS employees to contact Sam at [email protected] and sign up to participate in these enjoyable and environmentally beneficial events.
AMS Fulfillment reflects on our Green Team Mission Statement: As a leading national fulfillment company and a B Corporation, AMS is committed to making a positive impact on the environment for the sake of future generations by operating our business at the highest standards of environmental sustainability.
AMS has begun a new program, called the Multiplier Program, where we help our employees in their efforts to meet the needs of the community. We are proud of our employees who donate and volunteer, and through the Multiplier Program we encourage and support community involvement among our staff and alumni. The support that AMS Fulfillment provides can be in the form of additional volunteers or financial help or both. Without further ado, we are excited to introduce to you Angad Gill, in hopes to connect our Youth with an amazing opportunity in music.
Free Music Package #1:
In person only music production. One-on-one sessions to record and produce music for youth who either write their own music, play an instrument, or want to cover a song vocally. Package #1 is made up of two parts: 1) Lessons in recording, writing and publication of music, and 2) Lessons in mixing, editing and sound engineering in the recording of music. Each 1 hour session will give the student professional level experience in a recording studio. The value is equivalent to $1,000. Parents are required to attend if the young musician is 13 years of age or under. Day one consultation will be 1 ½ hours. Sessions will be held one hour per week until the completion of the project. Sessions are available by RSVP only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, after 6:00 pm PST. The studio is located in Simi Valley, CA.
Free Music Package #2:
Zoom music/instrument lessons. One-on-one sessions to learn an instrument. Instruments are not provided. Youth will get professional level training experience. The value is equivalent to $1,000. Parents are required to attend if their young musician is 13 years of age or under. Day one consultation will be 1 ½ hours. Sessions will be held one hour a week until the completion of the project. Sessions are available by RSVP only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, after 6:00 pm PST. Studio is located in Simi Valley, CA.
Signups are limited to the first three applicants. Please RSVP to [email protected]
Biography:
Hello, I am Angad Gill, AMS’ Sr. Logistics & Billing Coordinator, hired in January of 2020. I have been playing guitar for 12 years now, and singing for almost as long. I’ve also been recording and producing my own music for the past nine years with varying degrees of complexity and professionalism. Over the years I’ve worked alongside many non-profit organizations to offer auxiliary support as a music instructor and mentor for young children interested in the arts, as well as offering professional recording and production services free of charge to any K-12 students who are interested in exploring the world of music production. Just prior to COVID, many of the non-profit organizations that I worked with were dissolved, as their constituents and leaders shifted their focuses to other youth services. This is when I started Spare Oom Productions. Spare Oom Productions is a home recording studio with the goal of exposing young artists to the environment of professional music production and the work that is required behind the scenes as well as helping the artists publish their work. Spare Oom SoundCloud Link:
The AMS Multiplier Program:
AMS Fulfillment has a long and rewarding history of involvement with our local SCV community. We are so grateful for our relationships with community organizations as they inspire us, benefit the community and benefit us. We have worked with Single Mothers Outreach, Bridge to Home, SCV Sheriff’s Foundation, SCV Search and Rescue, various cancer drives, Senior Concerns, Pleasantville Industries, SCV Economic Development, Mayors Committee for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, S.T.R.E.A.M. and more.
This summer, we enjoyed our inaugural Multiplier Program event. AMS volunteers stepped in to help on Friday, July 23rd at Bridge To Home, an organization that provides help, hope, and change for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. AMS volunteers helped AMS alumni, Vaughn Gregory, utilize his mobile food service, “Hit Da Spot Backyard BBQ”, in order to provide meals to 60 individuals, and AMS sponsored the cost of the meals.
As a B-Corporation, AMS is committed to give back to our community and to our employees. We were excited and happy to help Multiply Vaughn’s event at Bridge To Home and we are so pleased to help Multiply Angad Gill’s Music Packages. We encourage AMS employees and alumni, who are working within the community to help solve issues that they care about, to contact the AMS Multiplier Program so that we can help multiply their efforts.
Do you want to give back to the community? Please email samantha.hicks@amsfulfillment to see how AMS Fulfillment can help multiply your efforts to B The Change.
It was August of 2020 when AMS Fulfillment began publishing a safety series focused primarily on pandemic safety. At that time AMS already had a stellar safety record due to the company’s focus on training and their consistent safety practices. Injuries have been rare, and as the pandemic came along AMS committed additional resources to pandemic safety. The blog series was intended to help other businesses face the challenge by being an example and reporting on the interventions and practices.
When the COVID vaccines became available to essential workers, AMS’ VP of Operations, Marco Pelaez, began a series of vaccine clinics on campus, where employees and their families, age 12 and up, could come and receive their vaccination. The first clinic was held on May 20th and since then four more clinics have been held.
Recently Marco announced, “We have our next vaccination clinic on October first, where there are going to be two other companies joining our clinic. We are also getting ready to offer the vaccination booster for Search and Rescue and after that for our employees.” Upon hearing this impressive news, we asked Marco if he would answer a few questions about the clinics.
Are you working with a medical clinic or an organization? How was the ‘on-site’ clinic arranged?
We are working with a group called Veritas testing and they work directly with the county. I looked for mobile clinics near me utilizing Google and then I contacted them via phone.
How have the employees responded to the clinics? Have you had a good response?
We have vaccinated over 150 employees and their responses have been very positive and appreciative towards us bringing the vaccine to AMS so they do not have to go and make an appointment.
Do the employees have a choice as to what vaccine they would prefer?
We have offered all three vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson), and almost everybody chose Moderna.
Has anyone reported back to you an adverse reaction?
Just the normal symptoms from the vaccine but no major reactions.
Are employees bringing their families to the clinics as well?
Family members and friends are welcome, some of them are bringing the entire family.
Marco concluded, “This is a very satisfying service we are providing our employees as some of them do not have the time or technology to set up their appointments. By doing these clinics we are making things easier for them to get access to the vaccine and we can answer any questions or fears they may have.”
Thank you Marco Pelaez, VP of Operations, and thank you AMS Fulfillment for your consistent and caring safety practices.
August 26th is celebrated as Women’s Equality Day. The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Because of the changes we have experienced within the culture and the workforce, young women of today have an expectation of equality that they did not have twenty years ago. For many of them, being unable to vote seems unthinkable!!
The massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that created this change had its formal beginnings in 1848. It has continued over the years until we now ask the question… do we have full equality in the workforce today? In honor of Women’s Equality Day, Samantha Hicks of AMS’ HR Programs and Services nominated three women who are celebrated as leaders at AMS. All three agreed to be interviewed and we present their interesting and inspiring personal stories below.
The nominees are Betty-Lou Wiseman, President of AMS West; Kim Peszek, VP Client Engagement AMS East; and Carmen Kernek, Vice President of Human Resources.
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Thank you to Betty-Lou Wiseman, President AMS West, for answering our questions on this very vital subject of Women’s Equality.
As a young woman looking forward to your life as an adult, did you have concerns or beliefs that there would be limitations due to your being a woman?
Growing up in a small agricultural town in New York State, women were expected to be at home and take care of the household and children. I started babysitting to make my own money when I was 14, worked as a lifeguard during the summer and that was the start of wanting to be a successful woman. Being in a “man’s” world during this time, I did believe that I would have more challenges in becoming a successful businesswoman which made me drive harder. Many times in my career I have had to take 3 steps back, take a breath, and push 4 steps ahead. If you want something in a career, I feel you must stay focused and manage any hurdle that comes your way.
In your work career have you encountered discrimination, lower pay or failure to promote due to your being a woman, and if you have, how did you confront the issues?
I have encountered discrimination in the past. I had been an interim Director of a company and had been doing the job for two months. I applied for the Directors position and at the end of my interview I was told that I didn’t get the job because my husband made good money and I have children to take care of. I challenged this in the interview but could tell that even with a good challenge it was not going to go anywhere because this was truly how the person felt who was doing the interview. I took this comment to the executives of the company and received compensation for bringing this to their attention, but not the job. I decided to leave this company as I did not want to work with a company that would judge a woman for a position based on a husband’s wages or if they have children. This was a turning point for me; the drive to become an Executive Businesswoman was now even a stronger goal in my life.
Do you see full equality at AMS for women, or would you say that there is still work to do?
I do feel there is equality at AMS. I encourage all women to reach for the stars and it has shown in the team I have developed working with women that started from the ground up. I am so pleased that the company we chose to invest in AMS is run by a woman who is our Chairman of the Board. I feel women have come a long way but will always have challenges and hurdles to overcome as they reach for the stars. I take pride in mentoring and teaching of all, but there is a specific place in my heart to work with women who have the drive for success. Women have come a long way and there is a way to go!
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Thank you to Kim Peszek, VP Client Engagement AMS East, for answering our questions and sharing your experiences with us.
As a young woman looking forward to your life as an adult, did you have concerns or beliefs that there would be limitations due to your being a woman?
Throughout my youth I was most often exposed to women in the ‘traditional life roles. Most movies and television shows depicted women as reliant upon a man to support them financially in addition to requiring the ‘man of the house’ make critical decisions within the family or business environment. Women were infrequently depicted as breadwinners or drivers of decisions or solutions. I wasn’t readily encouraged to attend higher education opportunities. As a young woman, I did believe that it was most acceptable to seek out the traditional marriage and roles that supported that structure. Being in a business environment was ‘a man’s world’ and if we as women impeded upon that world, it was inappropriate or frowned upon.
In your work career have you encountered discrimination, lower pay or failure to promote due to your being a woman, and if you have, how did you confront the issues?
I looked at the start of my working opportunity as a job and not a career. As I began opportunities to contribute to the business world and gain confidence in my skillsets, I frequently encountered setbacks where my contributions were looked at as insignificant even though they ultimately became solutions. My participation in business meetings often left me passed over during the traditional handshakes and business card exchanges. Eye contact with me was often avoided as if I didn’t exist at the table. In other cases the value of my participation in meetings or assignments was joked about as an opportunity to keep the attention of certain male clients due to my perceived appearance. I was, more often than not, compensated less than male counterparts for equal roles, when in fact my responsibilities exceeded levels defined by my position. In questioning those inequalities, it was reasoned away as being due to my inexperience or youth. I sought solace through focusing on eliminating the excuses and creating even greater value from my efforts. I sought out role models in business environments that focused on results and not gender. I resolved to be what I wanted to be and not what others had defined for me.
Do you see full equality at AMS for women, or would you say that there is still work to do?
Social tolerance drives acceptance of issues whether they be right or wrong. Our AMS team houses many great leaders with no tolerance for inequality. But know that it is the responsibility of all, as one, to ensure inequalities do not exist or repeat in our future. We all have the responsibility to speak up for ourselves and others. Trust you will be heard and do it in a way that is genuinely for the betterment of positive change.
When it becomes more common to say ‘BESIDE every great man…’ vs. ‘BEHIND every great man…’, then we can say we’ve come a long way.
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Thank you to Carmen Kernek, Vice President of Human Resources, for giving us your view on Women’s Equality and answering our questions about your work experience.
As a young woman looking forward to your life as an adult, did you have concerns or beliefs that there would be limitations due to your being a woman?
I grew up in a home with 6 other siblings, we were a team of 5 girls and 2 boys. In my home and culture, the females needed to step up to the plate in many different occasions in many different ways. For example, I began working when I was 14 years old and began to assist my parents in maintaining our family by monetary contribution as well as bringing home groceries. This was never asked of me or expected, but I knew that it would help my mom, who at the time was working two jobs and she and my dad were always working. With that being said, my mother taught me, through her work ethic, that no matter who you are you will need to work for the things you want in life and perseverance is key in this journey.
I have always tried my best in all that I do, hoping that I will be a great role model to my children and others, but also in my journey of life, which has led me to much success in my career.
In your work career have you encountered discrimination, lower pay or failure to promote due to your being a woman, and if you have, how did you confront the issues?
In my work career there were definitely challenges, but I would not call them discriminatory in any way. ‘Challenges’ is the most appropriate way to describe any struggles in my career.
I believe that we have the opportunity to make choices in our lives and careers, therefore I worked my way through challenges and created new pathways to take if there was something in my way. My competitiveness and my perseverance in life does not let me stop my quest to win. The challenges in my life, and as a women in business, have made me the strong woman that I am today. I confront issues, meaning I work through them and communicate in order to work out issues and find better solutions.
Do you see full equality at AMS for women, or would you say that there is still work to do?
In my opinion there is full equality for all… not just women. I believe that there is always room for improvement and growth, however I also believe that we create our own destiny and if we want the stars, we not only need to reach for them, but have a plan to get them!
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Thank you to all of the Women Leaders in the AMS Corporate Family!!
In a discussion with AMS employees, AMS Chief Workforce Development Officer, Ken Wiseman, promised renewed and expanded diversity and inclusion efforts at AMS. He told the group: “Acceptance of a diverse and inclusive workplace will be a condition of being in this ‘family’.”
Ken concluded his message with the following words: “I stand with you right now knowing we have miles to go and more progress to report but I am grateful that we are doing this together, and extremely confident that we will build a better company, one which will bring you pride in knowing that you helped get us to our destination, you made a difference in our journey.”
Keeping the momentum going to fulfill on this promise, AMS has engaged Diversity Works (#diversityworks) a consultancy that helps organizations evaluate their performance across a broad range of DE&I measures. Diversity Works is led by diversity educators and management consultants from different fields and disciplines. They measure data and develop a comprehensive scorecard showing a company’s areas of strength and its areas of potential improvement. Diversity Works helps organizations such as AMS in developing a vision for their future and attaining the goal of a culturally-inclusive workplace.
Ken commented, “With the cultural impact and importance that sound DE&I practices have on a company and its associates, the benefit of partnering with a company dedicated to assessment and improvement goes a long way in maximizing the commitment to this long overlooked area of importance. Diversity Works (@diversity-works-us) has led AMS through a comprehensive evaluation of our DE&I performance. Even for a certified B Corp and social enterprise that has been focused on diversity for years, we identified areas for improvement. They also helped us articulate our DE&I value proposition to better explain why it matters to us. We’re grateful for the experience and excited to take the next steps!”
AMS Fulfillment knows that diverse organizations bring a wider range of ideas and experiences to problem solving, helping companies connect with a broader range of audiences in a culturally competent way. DE&I demonstrates a commitment to disrupting the structural inequities that have historically created barriers for women, people of color, people with disabilities, and individuals involved with the justice system in the workplace. AMS promises to continue to make diversity part of their DNA, demonstrating to internal and external stakeholders the reason why the commitment matters and how it makes AMS Fulfillment successful.
As a B Corporation, the culture at AMS Fulfillment is naturally inclined toward volunteering and supporting community organizations. Each year, AMS coordinates volunteer events for all employees, friends and families to join. We have organized group participation in some of these events in the past, and it has been very rewarding.
In a discussion with AMS employees, AMS Chief Workforce Development Officer, 