News

September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month. There is nothing more heartbreaking than suicide and for that reason, at AMS we must recognize this national commemoration. We care about our associates, their health, their satisfaction, their mental health and the well-being of their families as well.

If we can do nothing else with this writing, we would like to remove the stigma with regard to mental health. Depression is not uncommon, and perhaps the prevalence of depression can be attributed to the challenges of our world at this time. We understand the impact of stress and anxiety. We need to support each other and stay away from judgement.

Employee Assistance Program

At AMS we offer our associates a very helpful free benefit called the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). We mention it in commemoration of those we love, lost to suicide, and those who find themselves currently dealing with a mental health issue or crisis. The EAP provides help. Let’s begin with a google description of the program.

“Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide confidential and free support to employees and their families for personal and work-related issues, including mental health counseling, financial guidance, legal advice, caregiving referrals, and stress management.”

If an AMS associate, or someone in the associate’s family experiences a crisis, counsellors at the EAP will help. Their support is confidential. The issue needing support could be a need to deal with health issues, financial issues, legal issues, issues at the job, or the crisis could be related to the prevention of suicide.

Suicide Prevention

In our desire to properly cover this issue, we turned to some helpful advice from the National Today website [LINK].

“Everyone is affected by suicide, not just the victim. Suicide impacts family and friends long after the loss of a loved one. On average, one person commits suicide every 16.2 minutes. Two-thirds of the people who commit suicide suffer from depression.

“One way to help prevent suicide is to increase access to treatment for depression. However, identifying depression can be difficult. Not all people who suffer from depression show signs. The first step in identifying someone who is suffering from depression and contemplating suicide is to see how serious the issue is. Talking to the person involved and asking about their thoughts will decrease the trigger of suicidal action. Suggesting a counselor or treatment for depression might also help. Often, people who are depressed need a caring friend. A common fallacy is that people who talk about suicide never act on it. If a friend or loved one is talking about suicide, it’s time to get help for that person.”

A Caring Friend

As any caring friend will make clear… there is no shame in seeking help. There is also no shame in mental and/or emotional struggle or crisis. We are living in a time of challenges to our emotions and spirit. We encourage AMS associates to remember there is help available through the EAP and it’s free. Simply contact Human Resources for the phone number. Below is one more brief quote from the aforementioned website:

“The mental health of yourself or a loved one can never be taken too seriously. Whether the weight of a long-term struggle or a crisis weighs you down, allow friends, family or a profession to lighten the burden by finding support.” 

How Else Can We Help?

In addition to providing the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), how else can employers help? We found some recommendations at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The first recommendation is to create a supportive and open work culture, fostering an environment where associates feel safe discussing their mental health without fear of judgment or retaliation. The second recommendation is to promote work-life balance and reduce job strain. The third recommendation is to offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

The article goes on to recommend that the company’s health insurance plan includes high-quality, comprehensive coverage for mental health and that the managers listen to feedback from associates. Also, they wisely recommend that associates receive support during life transitions, such as the loss of a family member. Finally, we must include mention of these essential resources: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) and the Crisis Text Line (text TALK to 741741).

At AMS we do fulfill these recommendations for our associates. As we have said many times, we value our associates highly and we support their health, including their mental and emotional health. Suicide prevention is a subject vital to our well-being as persons and as a company. We not only encourage our associates to utilize the EAP but we also encourage them to talk with the persons in the position of management if feeling stressed, overwhelmed or depressed. We will listen, and we will provide the helping hand if at all possible.

Contact AMS Fulfillment [LINK] for top-notch eCommerce fulfillment services.

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We’re about to enter Labor Day Weekend. This national holiday is the first Monday of September… September 1st!! Honoring the laborers is something we enjoy and fully support. What would AMS Fulfillment be without the men and women who come to work and give their time and energy to bring about our success? We thank them, every single one, whether they labor in the warehouses or in the offices – we thank them for their time, their energy, and their dedication.

We want AMS to be the place where our employees get some enjoyment in their job as well as fair pay, health benefits, and a safe environment.

The History of Labor Day

A quick search tells us that Labor Day was created by the labor movement in the late 19^th century, and it became a federal holiday in 1894. Obviously, there is a story here… what was the labor movement? Why was there a labor movement? We went to history dot com [LINK] for some history.

“In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.

“People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.”

Well, that answers the question of what and why. Apparently when more manufacturing began to be done, labor unions started to form. The article continues with a story about labor unions from that time period:

“As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal.

“They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Others gave rise to longstanding traditions: On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.”

Revolutionary Advancement

Labor Day commemorates a revolutionary and welcome advancement in American culture. Laborers were exploited and the work environments weren’t safe. The inhumane and unfair treatment of labor was confronted and through the unity of laborers, things were eventually made right. Violence sadly occurred, many wrongs were done, and yet here we are today, honoring our laborers. Here is just one story among many:

“On June 26, the American Railroad Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. To break the Pullman strike, the federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers.

“In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified.”

The Outcome

And there we have it. The story of how laborers fought for fair treatment. These efforts were more than 130 years ago. Has fairness been achieved? There are numerous employers that respect and appreciate the men and women working for the success of their business, so we would answer yes, in many ways fairness has been achieved.

AMS Fulfillment is proof that a business can consider employees stakeholders and still be successful. In other words, a business can do right and benefit from it. AMS considers its clients stakeholders, its employees stakeholders, our beautiful Earth a stakeholder and AMS itself a stakeholder – we have four and we see it as a recipe for success. A stakeholder means that when decisions are made, the well-being of clients, employees, the environment and the business itself are taken into account.

Have a Great Weekend

We asked Google about labor day parades – are there any going on: “Yes, you can find Labor Day parades in many cities across the country, as parades are a traditional part of Labor Day celebrations. To find a parade near you, you should search online for “Labor Day parades in [your city or region]” closer to the holiday, or check community event listings for your area.”

To all readers, we wish you an enjoyable Labor Day and thank you for your labor.

Readers are welcome to contact us at amsfulfillment.com.

There is an important anniversary coming up soon in August, marking a profound historical victory. August 26^th celebrates Women’s Equality Day!! What does that mean? It’s the day that the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was certified – the Women’s Suffrage Amendment. After a long and hard battle, in 1920 women in America achieved the right to vote. From Google we read:

“The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged based on sex. It essentially granted women the right to vote. More specifically, it says, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” 

Young women in today’s world most likely experience and expect equality. On the other hand, women with a few decades of life experience do remember a time when there were few, if any women doctors, lawyers, corporate executives and other professionals. Yes, we, as a culture, have been slowly and surely rising above many hundreds of years of patriarchy.

August 26^th

The efforts that led to the ratification of the Women’s Suffrage Amendment are referred to as the Suffrage Movement. The word ‘suffrage’ simply means the right to vote in political elections. Here is what Google says about the movement:

“The women’s suffrage movement was a decades-long fight to secure voting rights for women. In the United States, it culminated in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote. This movement involved various strategies, including protests, lobbying, and legal challenges, and was part of a broader global effort to advance women’s rights.” 

The Women’s Suffrage Amendment was certified in 1920, but it was not until 1973 that the date was commemorated with “Women’s Equality Day”. The Congresswoman who fought for and gained the commemorative recognition was Bella Abzug from New York. From Google we read:

“Women’s Equality Day, celebrated annually on August 26th, commemorates the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on sex. The day was officially designated by Congress in 1973, largely due to the efforts of Representative Bella Abzug.”

As we mentioned, chances are there are young women in today’s world who seldom think about the oppression of the past. Yes, once upon a time in the U.S. women could not vote. Sad fact is that women could not own property either, and that was not so long ago. Even if a woman inherited property, she could not own it in her own name or pass it on to heirs. The Fair Housing Act, passed in 1968 said ‘no more’ to discrimination against homebuyers and renters based on sex.

Let’s Look at AMS

AMS Fulfillment is a bi-coastal mid-size 3^rd party fulfillment center, also known as a 3PL (3^rd Party Logistics company). If we had women’s equality issues at AMS, we would avoid covering this commemorative day.

AMS has amazing women in leadership serving in various capacities from our board, senior executive team, and at every level of our leadership in our corporate headquarters, warehouses, and offices. Over the years and most recently we celebrate the promotions of multiple women to positions in the manager, director, and vice president levels. It is also exciting to share that we have highly qualified women representing our brand on the senior team and at our ownership level.

When we describe AMS Fulfillment as a top-notch full-service fulfillment service with integrity… we can thank these women and many more for being a vital part of creating that “top-notch with integrity” reality.

Present Day Issues

We presume there are still companies with inequality issues, but it appears the number is not high. In today’s culture the contributions of women are apparent everywhere. We can choose a woman doctor, or lawyer, or other professional without a second thought. Yet, there are still some issues to be dealt with.

Here’s what Google says: “Women’s Equality Day serves as a reminder of the progress made in achieving gender equality and the continued need to address issues like pay disparity, gender-based violence, and underrepresentation.”

Yes, it is sadly true that with some employers, women are paid less than men when doing comparable work. Also, in some companies women are underrepresented in executive positions. Gender-based violence is a subject worthy of its own blog. It is a sad reality that must come to an end.

Celebrate With Gratitude

A wonderful way to celebrate on August 26^th is to take a moment to think about a woman you admire and write a little note of gratitude. We found this quote at [LINK]: “Women’s Equality Day is all about uplifting and empowering women, and marveling at how far women have progressed, defying all odds and oppression.”

If you’re looking for a top-notch full-service fulfillment company with integrity, please feel free to contact us at amsfulfillment.com. Our clients are very well-served and proud to partner with us.

Happy Women’s Equality Day!!

About three weeks ago we covered the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act in our blog commemorating Disability Pride Month. That was an enjoyable journey. Thinking about living with a disability has led to the realization that we haven’t covered the news about disability employment for some time. In this blog we’ll cover some good things that are happening for individuals who are living with a disability. Good news is always appreciated so let’s look at recent developments in disability employment.

“The first item of interest is the news that the Department of Labor has provided 69$ million in funding to train young adults with disabilities. Here’s what Google tells us: “The Department of Labor is providing significant funding to develop innovative strategies that help young people with disabilities successfully transition into the workforce.” That certainly is good news, and we hope the training is truly beneficial. As we continue to search, we find more good news!

The End of Subminimum Pay

Currently there is a program that lets some employers pay disabled workers less than the minimum wage, and the news is that the Department of Labor is proposing to phase out that program. Currently the law has about 40,000 disabled workers laboring for half the minimum wage (which is $7.25/hr.) or less.

Subminimum pay for employees with disabilities can, should and must become a thing of the past. More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have banned the program and Illinois has passed legislation to end subminimum wage for disabled workers by 2029.

The following is from the National Organization on Disability [LINK]: “Still, even if the proposal is not enacted, subminimum pay for those with disabilities could become a thing of the past, as more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have already banned the program. The Illinois legislature recently passed legislation to end subminimum wage for disabled workers by 2029. California Nevada and Virginia are also phasing out the program.”

Apparently, the program was started in 1938 as a way to provide jobs for injured military veterans. Currently there are disabled people who work in what are called sheltered workshops where they are paid as little as 25 cents an hour. It’s a sad thought to realize that people are working for pennies because of a disability. This must change. We are very pleased to see the beginning of the end of this inhumane program.

Employment for Disabled Veterans

The previous news brings us to thinking about disabled veterans. What is being done for our veterans with disabilities? The first news that we found is that the Department of Labor has created an online toolkit to help disabled veterans. Here is what the DOL website says about it:

“Developed by the department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service and the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Veterans Accommodations Toolkit offers tips and strategies on ways to enhance workplace supports and accommodations designed to facilitate the recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of disabled American veterans in apprenticeship and other employment settings. The toolkit includes resources that not only help disabled veterans, but also benefit employers, apprenticeship sponsors, and workforce development specialists.”

We encourage a visit to the DOL toolkit at this [LINK]. We certainly hope that the toolkit is helpful to the individuals and employers who utilize it. We owe military veterans our respect and more. Disabled veterans should be given helpful information leading to the employment they are seeking and employers should be given the beneficial DOL information. Below is a quote from the article with some data:

“Currently, more than 5 million American veterans aged 18 or older have service-connected disabilities. Each year, roughly 200,000 service members – including approximately 22,000 who have some type of disability – transition to the private sector and many remain unemployed after transition. The employment rate for working-age veterans with disabilities is 43.5%, compared to 79.8% for nondisabled veterans. The toolkit aims to help close this employment gap and get skilled, capable Americans back into the workforce.”

Good News is Good

In reviewing the disability employment news, we are pleased that young people with disabilities are receiving help from the DOL. That is good news! It’s also good news that a program allowing some employers to pay disabled workers less than the minimum wage is being phased out. Very good news! And, it is good news that resources are being made available to help disabled veterans and their employers.

AMS Fulfillment has hired individuals with disabilities for many years, providing accommodations when needed. Do we pay disabled individuals less than their peers? Of course not. We work with local community organizations that provide job training to disabled individuals and we hire fully qualified individuals from that pool of talent.

Integrity matters to AMS. Our clients know that not only do we handle their product fulfillment expertly, there is a plus – AMS Fulfillment is a values-based organization.

What does that actually mean… values-based? For an answer we went to Jeff Bruce, VP of Human Resources at AMS: “Our number one value is Integrity which means we do the right thing in the face of adversity, we do the right thing even when the road is tough, we do the right thing when others aren’t doing it, and we are willing to stand alone. This is why doing business with AMS is the right thing.”

Please feel free to visit our website, amsfulfillment.com, and get in contact with us.

A quick Google search on warehouse injuries brings up some truly alarming statistics. At AMS we have a strong focus on warehouse safety, so thankfully AMS is not among those with four out of ten workers suffering some sort of injury. There are many months when AMS has no injuries. We obviously can’t prevent them all, but let’s just say that injuries are rare at AMS. In other words, our record in the industry is very good and we are beyond mindful when it comes to safety in the warehouse.

Most Common Injuries

What are the most common injuries in the warehouse? Number one would be slips, trips and falls. We prevent these injuries with careful maintenance of the aisles – nothing to slip on, nothing to trip over, and careful prevention of falls. Maintaining safe aisles is common sense and for us it is a given.

Another area where accidents can happen is in the operation of forklifts. There could be a collision, or the forklift could strike a person. It could overturn as well and the driver or others could be seriously injured. That is why at AMS we very thoroughly train our forklift operators on how to operate the equipment safely, at all times. This training is thorough and our forklift operators know how to handle their tasks safely.

Another injury on the list, related to improper operation of forklifts, is falling objects. If objects are improperly stacked or secured, they can fall, striking an employee and causing injuries that could be severe. Once again, we return to the thorough training of our forklift operators. Operating a forklift is a skill, and we make sure our operators have the skill and training to properly stack items, and make sure they are secured.

A much more common injury can come from lifting or manually handling heavy objects. Improper or unsafe lifting or handling can lead to sprains, strains, hernias – musculoskeletal injuries. At AMS the most frequent injury would be strains. Our employees are carefully and thoroughly trained in how to properly handle heavy objects and avoid these types of injuries. We do our best and yet we do experience an occasional injury.

Now let’s look at the injuries falling into the category of ‘other’. Number one is called repetitive stress. This means injuries that can occur due to repetitive movements like lifting, bending or twisting. Injuries can happen from overextension and overexertion, cuts or lacerations from using tools, handling sharp objects or dealing with machinery. Conveyor belts have their dangers as well. Finally, we’ll mention accidents involving trucks backing up.

As readers can see, working in a fulfillment warehouse has its dangers built in. AMS is well aware of the importance of safety training and we strongly encourage employees to bring any safety concerns to the attention of their supervisor – don’t wait – see something, say something immediately.

We want to have the best safety record in the industry among fulfillment warehouses, and we are definitely doing our best to achieve it. AMS has few lost-time injuries and when we do experience an accident resulting in injury, we learn from it.

Why the Focus on Safety?

Let’s start answering this question with a quote from Mr. Jeff Bruce, VP of Human Resources at AMS Fulfillment.

“We are working on a Safety strategy to ensure all of our practices are in alignment in all of our facilities and we are in full compliance with all of the ever-changing rules and laws. Our main goal is to keep all of our associates safe and have a safe workplace to be at. It’s the right thing to do and we want to be industry leaders. Our desire is to make things safe for every associate through training, supervisor interactions, and promoting good safety habits.”

We could say that the focus on safety comes from actually caring about our employees… and we Do actually care. Our conversations about employees being stakeholders in our business isn’t ‘woke’ propaganda. We live what we believe, and what we believe is… do what’s right by the employees, the clients, the environment and ourselves.

We don’t talk about it often, but AMS has been a very dedicated B Corporation for several years. We do it for ourselves, and we also do it for our other stakeholders. Our clients are proud to do business with a B Corporation, and their customers appreciate it as well. Most customers would prefer to buy a product from a company that cares not only about the quality of the product, but also integrity in the manufacturing and handling of the product.

What Does Safety do for fulfillment Clients?

AMS is proof that a fulfillment company can care about employees and still be a successful business. We encourage all eCommerce businesses looking for the right fulfillment provider to ask about the fulfillment company’s record with regard to warehouse injuries. Respect for employee safety matters, and it leads to excellent service in fulfillment.

How does it lead to excellent service? Fulfillment clients looking for a good safety record, also can take a good look at what a safe warehouse actually means for their business.

#1. First of all, experienced and skilled workers want to work at the safe warehouse, and stay there. So, in the safe warehouse clients get an experienced workforce with skills.

#2. Secondly, a fulfillment service with a low injury rate will be a positive for the brand’s image.

#3. A safe warehouse for employees is also a safe warehouse for the client’s products. No accidents means nothing in the warehouse damaged.

#4. No supply chain disruptions due to equipment malfunctions or accidents, which means timely delivery of the client’s products. When a client partners with a fulfillment company that prioritizes safety, the client protects its investments and enhances its brand image.

Please feel free to contact us at amsfulfillment.com.

What is a full-service fulfillment company? What services are included within full-service? Let’s say that you operate a business where you design and manufacture products for online sales. You enjoy conceptualizing and creating, manufacturing, marketing and selling your product, and you prefer focusing your efforts and expertise on these activities. This allows you to prioritize quality and the growth of your company.

Fortunately, you have a business partner who manages the warehousing of your products, picks and packs your orders, and ships your products while ensuring optimal pricing and timely delivery. This fulfillment company also takes care of customer service inquiries via email and phone, it manages returns processing and repairs, it does the kitting and necessary assembly, and there is even more. Your fulfillment partner provides value-add services like gift wrapping, labels and UPC stickers and Back-Office Support.

Back Office Support

What is back-office support? Allow us to quote from AMS Fulfillment’s website: “At AMS, our definition of Back-office Support as a fulfillment services company is unique in that much of it is client-facing… and it is led by an experienced, proactive, and robust Client Services Team that serves as the conduit to all facets of the business, including information technology (IT), finance and of course warehouse operations!”

Another term for Back Office Support could be client engagement. It’s important for the fulfillment service partner to understand the needs and objectives of the client, and that kind of understanding comes from engaging with the client and responding to the needs. Fulfillment services are complex. The integration of the systems could be an issue, or the client may need the fulfillment service to handle returns, or any one of the other services included in ‘full-service’. As the quote tells us, the Client Services Team is ready to engage with the client, and basically, they provide the Back Office Support.

A Closer Look

The standard offerings of a fulfillment center will include the pick and pack services, eCommerce and B2B fulfillment services, shipping services, warehousing services and inventory management services. Services in addition to these basics will be found in a full-service fulfillment service.

Let’s see what AMS says about additional services: “As a major, high-capacity player in the world of pick pack ship fulfillment, we are also very nimble and accommodating to the brands we serve.  At AMS, we have engineers, equipment, and expertise in a variety of special handling services, including large scale kit assembly, product-relabeling or packaging, B2B routing-based VAS work (e.g. price stickering, hang tags, hanger insertion/removal, compliance labeling), B2C branded pack-outs… and even higher-end product manipulation work such as engraving!” Add to these services Back Office Support, and we have a fairly good idea of what full-service means in fulfillment.

Full-service caters to the growing number of creative and innovative eCommerce businesses that wish to concentrate on product creation, marketing, and sales, while entrusting fulfillment services to a partner who ‘does it all’.

There are four stakeholders that AMS is committed to – our clients, our employees, our Mother Earth and ourselves. Businesses that are thinking about outsourcing fulfillment have a lot of choices. The ideal choice is one that provides all of the services needed (full-service), and one that is able to integrate with the client as would a partner. Integration and communication, both verbally and with data exchange, is vital – not listed as a “service” but perhaps the most important service a client could ask for.

Readers who wish to find out more about AMS Fulfillment, please visit our website at amsfulfillment.com.

Our report this week is on the importance of a positive workplace culture. We are living and raising families in a time where there are quite a few negative things going on in the world; things that create stressors in our minds. Going to work and making a living should not create stress. Instead, our workplace culture should bring about confidence and physical and mental well-being.

People working in the fulfillment industry definitely need their workplace culture to be encouraging, supportive and respectful with regard to benefits and safety. Safety means a lot in fulfillment. Also, creating a positive workplace culture is vital to the physical and mental health of employees.

At AMS Fulfillment we are committed to the well-being of our employees, and this is well known by our clients. AMS is a B Corporation, which means we have made a legal commitment to conduct our business to Benefit four stakeholders. The stakeholders are our clients, our employees, our environment and ourselves.

Our clients truly appreciate partnering with a fulfillment service that has integrity and values its employees and the environment. One benefit for our clients is that they can inform their customers that the product they are considering purchasing will be warehoused, fulfilled and shipped with respect for the environment and employee safety. Shoppers care about that – it’s a big plus.

Here’s what Google says about the workplace culture: “A positive workplace culture is crucial for an organization’s success, impacting employee engagement, productivity, and overall business performance. It fosters a sense of belonging, encourages collaboration, and can be a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent.”

The Benefits of Respect

Benefit #1 of a positive workplace culture is that we attract and retain talented individuals. AMS has more than a few talented employees that have been with the company for many years. What Google says on the subject is true: “When employees feel valued, respected, and connected to their work, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term, reducing turnover costs and maintaining institutional knowledge.” 

Reducing turnover and maintaining knowledge is so beneficial to AMS and our clients. We encourage our employees to share their good ideas, and when they do, we listen. Google goes on to say that a positive environment… “…can lead to reduced stress, improved morale, and a greater sense of job satisfaction.” Yes, we agree – a positive environment can reduce stress.

The Workplace

Working in a warehouse, our employees are exposed to and operating machinery, making repetitive movements and moving heavy packages and items. Therefore, there is risk – injuries can happen. Statistically we have a very good record, with very few lost-time injuries. The reason for our exceptional record is our training. It is extensive. We adhere to OSHA standards, and go above and beyond, taking safety walks every month. Employees should be able to trust in the efforts to provide a safe environment. We do our best to provide workplace safety, and that is definitely part of a positive culture.

Google actually has some pretty wise conclusions on a positive workplace culture. We’ll conclude with Google’s opinion!

“In essence, a strong workplace culture acts as a foundation for success, impacting everything from employee engagement and productivity to attracting talent and shaping the company’s reputation. It’s not just about having a list of values on the wall; it’s about consistently living those values through actions, policies, and behaviors.” 

How true!! At AMS Fulfillment we actually do live our values. It matters to us, our clients, and our employees… and maybe even our Mother Earth.

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With regard to the environment, at AMS we do everything we can to protect our beautiful Earth. When we saw that from July 25 to August 3^rd is “Love Parks Week,” it seemed a good idea to talk about our families and our beautiful Earth.

As our readers know, at AMS we highly value our employees and we also highly value our Mother Earth. We know that it is our employees who create client success, and we value them for that reason… and much more. We value them as human beings, with families and home lives as well as work lives. And one more thing that matters… our clients appreciate doing business with a fulfillment company that values its employees and protects the environment.

Volunteer and Enjoy

According to Google, the commemoration is about volunteering and enjoying our parks. “Love Parks Week in the USA is celebrated annually at the end of July, with specific dates varying by location and organization. This week-long event is dedicated to appreciating and enjoying the beauty and benefits of local parks and green spaces. It’s a time for communities to come together, participate in volunteer activities, and enjoy various park-related events and programs.”

As our readers know, our AMS Fulfillment employees do volunteer in cleaning up outdoor spaces, and we sincerely appreciate their dedication to environmentalism. For this special week, we hope that our families find time to enjoy the parks in their neighborhood and volunteer if there is a clean-up in which they want to participate.

History of “Love Parks Week”

We went to National Today [LINK] for the story of this commemorative week. National Today goes into the history, and they offer some inspiring words about the value of our parks and natural spaces:

“Throughout history, civilization has used the land for different purposes other than agricultural ones. In Egypt, they had gardens for their homes and temples, and hunting parks were also built by the Assyrians. The gardens built by the Greeks, on the other hand, served as a meeting and market location, safe from attacks by the city’s enemies. The Romans continued to build public gathering spaces, but the other three types of parks were incorporated into the imperial villa and its descendants. The park-making goals of Hadrian and Diocletian’s palace gardens were combined in the Roman era.

“Parks were built for family enjoyment, exercise, hunting, the fine arts, and the celebration of the emperor’s godlike status, among other purposes. Because of this, Renaissance villas in Italy and Europe from the 15th to 17th centuries were based on these properties. North European park and garden designers paid homage to their Greek and Roman roots by incorporating statues from those cultures into their work.

“Persia’s royal hunting preserves, which had been established over hundreds of square feet by the kings of Persia, evolved as riding trails and shelters were built into the landscape. Another sort of park developed from ancient Athens’ open-air public gathering spaces, where the functions of an exercise ground, a social concourse, and an athletes’ training ground were merged with features of a sculpture gallery and religious center.”

At AMS we Love Our Earth

We have talked many times about the very extensive recycling efforts at AMS as well as energy-saving efforts. We have also talked about our efforts to support employee health, including physical, mental and social health. AMS is a certified B Corporation and we gratefully operate with high moral standards. In fact, let’s close with the AMS Mission Statement and wish every reader a wonderful “Love Parks Week.” Here below is the Mission of AMS Fulfillment:

“We will provide our service in a manner that recognizes that profit and growth are not goals unto themselves, but merely outcomes of uncompromised attention to our customer, our organization, our community, our planet, and ourselves.”

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July is ‘social wellness’ month, and social wellness in the workplace is a subject deserving of our attention. At AMS we are invested in the wellness of our valued employees, and that includes their physical wellness, mental wellness and social wellness. Is a workplace a social environment? The answer is yes, of course, and very much so.

Most of us spend a third of our 24-hr. day at work! We make friends at work, we enjoy each other’s company at work, we eat together, take breaks, and even enjoy each other’s company outside of work. Social wellness in our warehouses and offices is very important to us and we encourage it.

Google gives us a description of what social wellness in the workplace looks like: “Social wellness in the workplace refers to the positive connections and relationships employees have with each other and their sense of belonging within the organization. It’s about fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable, supported, and valued, which in turn can improve engagement, productivity, and overall well-being.”

Workplace Relationships

At AMS we have always highly valued our employees, encouraging in them a sense of belonging and providing for them a strong support system. Our management is respectful of all employees with a focus upon teamwork and collaboration.

The AMS culture is inclusive, and diversity is highly valued. We encourage the connections our employees create with each other for mutual support within work and outside of work. Truth is… we meet friends at work and if we’re exceptionally lucky we may even meet our spouse at work. So, as readers can see, social wellness matters.

The Workplace Benefits

According to Google, the benefits of social wellness are as follows: “Increased employee engagement, improved productivity, enhanced morale and job satisfaction, reduced stress and burnout, increased retention.” In this instance Google makes a whole lot of sense. We know that when we foster social wellness in our warehouses and offices, intentionally creating an inclusive and collaborative work culture, everyone benefits.

An article in National Today [LINK] on the history of the commemoration, gives us a beautiful look into not only the history, but the benefits of social wellness.

“However, even before science stepped into the picture, during 3000–1500 B.C., the ancient Hindu Ayurvedic text emphasized the fulfillment of an individual’s needs that range from nutrition, hygiene, and exercise to social interaction. According to the text, a balance had to be maintained amongst all these factors to achieve harmony between body, mind, and spirit. These teachings were further complimented by American health expert Dunn H. Travis (1896–1975) who strongly believed that health was affected by environmental friendliness. This message was further reiterated by other scientists who revealed how social interactions with friends, family, and neighbors can influence our well-being. After many such studies, an emphasis was placed on searching for ways where one could be involved with a community and have several social interactions.”

Our AMS World Today

Readers of this blog know that we often talk about our employees joining in various community events and supporting our sustainability efforts with the AMS Green Team. We are more than happy to provide the Employee Assistance Program, which offers free counseling and services to employees facing personal or work-related problems. EAPs address mental health, substance abuse, stress and family issues and these offerings are all focused upon social wellness.

So, yes, social wellness in the workplace matters to AMS and always has. It matters to us that all employees are respected and encouraged, receiving benefits and fair pay, as we know that people spend a good portion of their lives at work and they depend upon work to provide for them. Work relationships matter to our employees, and our employees matter to us.

To all of our employees, clients and friends… have a wonderful ‘social wellness’ month and enjoy your workplace community – your co-workers and your friends.

What can we say about the July 4^th holiday that hasn’t already been said? We all know that this holiday has to do with the founding or the birthday of the United States of America. But did we know what the colonists were having to go through with regard to the British king?

That is an interesting story! We found some of the early details at National Today website [LINK].

“In the 1700s, America wasn’t really a nation of ‘united states.’ Instead, there were 13 colonies with distinct personalities. From 1763 to 1773, Britain’s King George III increasingly placed pressure on the colonies as he and the British Parliament enacted a succession of draconian taxes and laws on them. Excessive taxes on British luxury goods like tea and sugar were designed to benefit the British crown without any regard for the hardships of the colonists. By 1764, the phrase “Taxation without representation is tyranny” spread throughout the colonies as the rallying cry of outrage.

“The more the colonists rebelled, the more King George doubled down with force. Imagine if enemy soldiers not only had the right to enter your home but the soldiers could demand that you feed and house them. The Quartering Act of 1765 allowed British soldiers to do just that.”

The Battles Begin

Yes, the fight was on. The British passed something called the Stamp Act, which basically taxed any piece of printed paper, including newspapers, legal documents, ships’ papers — and even playing cards! The story tells us about the first real fight: “Tensions boiled over on March 5, 1770, in Boston Harbor during a street fight between a group of colonists and British soldiers. The soldiers fired shots that killed 47-year-old Crispus Attucks, the first American and Black man to die along with three other colonists in the Boston Massacre.”

Readers have probably heard about the Boston Tea Party. A group of colonists dressed up as Native Americans, (the Mohican tribe) and they boarded a British ship and threw all of the tea overboard. The article tells us: “Continued pressure led to resistance and the start of the Revolutionary War in the towns of Lexington and Concord when a militia of patriots battled British soldiers on April 19, 1775.  Conditions were ripe for American independence.”

American Independence

We’re now entering a significant meeting, with an important document being created. “On June 7, 1776, the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia and Richard Henry Lee, the Virginia delegate, introduced a motion calling for the independence of the colonies. Amid heated debate, Congress rescheduled the vote on Lee’s resolution but appointed a five-man committee — including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Robert R. Livingston of New York — to draft a formal statement justifying the defect from Great Britain.”

Now we’re approaching the date of July 4^th. Let’s see the document they’re creating: “On July 2, 1776, in a virtually unanimous vote, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence, and on July 4th, it formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Jefferson.”

Well, there we have it… the representatives of the Colonies argued quite a bit about what to include and what to leave out. Thomas Jefferson was the one who pulled it all together. The document made it clear: “The document proclaimed the 13 American colonies’ liberation from Britain and reaffirmed their rights as free men — declaring that they were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states.”

Enjoy the Holiday

We went to the government’s Archives website [LINK] for the text of the Declaration of Independence, written in most part by Thomas Jefferson. Here we will offer the first paragraph, and we encourage readers to enjoy the full document.

“The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

This incredible moment in time is what we celebrate on July 4^th, with fireworks and picnics and all kinds of enjoyable recreation. We encourage readers to visit the document and get a feel for what these incredibly brave leaders told the King.

We’re celebrating the birthday of America at AMS Fulfillment and we wish all of our employees, clients and friends a wonderful 4^th of July weekend!

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The date was July 26, 1990, and the law was called the “Americans with Disabilities Act.” This law prohibited discrimination based on disability. Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on the difference this law made in the lives of individuals with disabilities. We can only be grateful for the opening of the door to civil and human rights that occurred with the passage of this Act (the ADA).

What is Disability Pride? We went to the Americans with disabilities website [LINK] for their definition: “Disability pride is defined as accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness, and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. Disability pride is an integral part of an inclusive crusade and, furthermore, a direct challenge to systemic ableism and stigmatizing definitions of disability.”

The opposite of pride is shame, and sad as it is, there was a time when a person with a disability would be looked upon as “less than” or “broken” to the degree that they would feel shame. We are grateful that the ADA acknowledged the discrimination and offered respect and rights to individuals with disabilities. The article goes on to say… “It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the history, achievements, and struggles of people with disabilities. The ADA, a landmark civil rights law, prohibits discrimination based on disability, and Disability Pride Month is a way to honor its impact and promote disability culture and visibility.”

The History

Many of us can remember the ‘Capitol Crawl’ image referenced in this upcoming quote. Through the brilliant actions of activists, the public became aware of something as simple as ‘access’ for individuals with disabilities. From Wikipedia [LINK] we read:

“On March 12, 1990, over 1,000 people marched from the White House to the U.S. Capitol to demand that Congress pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. Upon arrival, about 60 activists, including eight-year-old Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, physically demonstrated the inaccessibility of public spaces by getting out of their wheelchairs or setting aside their mobility aids and crawling up the Capitol steps in an act of civil disobedience that later became known as the Capitol Crawl. Police then arrested 104 activists for unlawful demonstration, many of whom were in their wheelchairs.”

Imagine that!! Children abandoning their wheelchairs and crawling up the steps of the Capitol. It happened and it had a profound impact. The activists, who were arrested (amazingly), actually achieved a profound change in our thinking and our culture. Today there are ramps for the wheelchairs and curb cuts in the sidewalks plus a whole lot of other means of assisting individuals with disabilities.

It was President George H. W. Bush who eventually signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. This Act prohibited discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation, government services of state and local governments and telecommunications. As pointed out by the activists, these protections were very much needed.

More About the Why

Once again we ask… why was there a need to not only protect people with disabilities from discrimination, but to uplift them as well, and change the way a disability is perceived? We went to Wikipedia for an answer as to the Why:

“Disability Pride Month celebrates people with disabilities, their identities, their culture, and their contributions to society. It also seeks to change the way people think about and define disability, to end the stigma of disability, and to promote the belief that disability is a natural part of human diversity in which people living with disabilities can celebrate and take pride. It is a chance for people with disabilities to come together and celebrate being themselves, no matter their differences. It is also a chance to raise awareness of the challenges they still face every day to be treated equally.”

Yes there is a reason for this commemoration and at AMS Fulfillment we join in to celebrate the fact that individuals with disabilities are now able to enjoy equal civil and human rights. May it continue and may every individual with a disability take pride in themselves and celebrate Life in all of its diversity.

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What day is Summer Solstice in 2025? We’ve been loving the long hours of daylight, and we know the longest day is coming right up. To answer our question, here is Google’s response: “The summer solstice will occur on Friday, June 20, and it will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).”

We would like to look into how Summer Solstice has been embraced in past years. The Latin word for the sun is Sol and the ‘stice’ means to stand still. So from the name we can conclude that the sun stands still when it reaches its highest point in the sky. This moment has been celebrated by different cultures for a very long time, and the people of those ancient times had rituals and traditions, recognizing that this hour of this day signals both Stillness and Change… and… it tells us that the natural world is governed by cycles. Summer solstice signals to the people the next cycle – the growing season – and that is worth celebrating.

The Stonehenge Monument

What is actually going on? The earth is tilted on its axis toward the sun and the sun is tracing its highest path across the sky. This reality has astounded human beings for a long, long time. We went to the Eugene Parks Foundation [LINK] for information a famous monument to the Summer Solstice… Stonehenge.

“One of the most iconic monuments associated with the summer solstice is Stonehenge in England. This prehistoric structure, believed to be over 4,000 years old, is aligned with the solstitial sunrise. Each year, thousands of people gather at Stonehenge to witness the sunrise, as the sun’s rays line up perfectly with the Heel Stone and the central Altar Stone, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The alignment suggests that the solstice was significant to the builders of Stonehenge. The reason behind the significance remains unknown, but it could be related to agricultural practices, religious beliefs, or social structures of the ancient civilization.”

Stonehenge captures the sunrise and it does so every solstice. But Stonehenge isn’t the only ancient celebration of the arrival of Summer. In ancient Egypt the solstice coincided with the annual flooding of the Nile. The aforementioned article tells us the following: “The flooding of the Nile was seen as a divine gift, replenishing the land and ensuring the survival of their civilization. Celebrations included offerings to the gods and rituals to honor the life-giving waters.”

The Maya and Aztec civilizations also celebrated the solstice in a profound way. The pyramids were constructed in alignment with the Summer and Winter Solstices as well as the Spring and Fall Equinoxes. Quoting from the article as follows: “The pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico, for instance, was designed to produce a serpent-like shadow during the summer solstice, symbolizing the descent of the feathered serpent god, Kukulkan. These events were celebrated with feasts, dances, and ceremonies to ensure agricultural fertility and cosmic harmony.”

How Do We Celebrate?

For those of us living our lives in cities, the Solstice is simply enjoyed as a long day of sunlight and the beginning of Summer. While we don’t have a contemporary celebration, some Native American communities do. “Many Native American tribes have rich traditions surrounding the summer solstice. The Sioux hold the Sun Dance, a ceremonial gathering that involves dancing, singing, and prayers to honor the sun and to seek spiritual renewal. This event is a time for communal bonding and reaffirming connections to the land and the cosmos.”

Let’s conclude with one more beautiful thought… the Midnight Sun! Imagine enjoying sunlight all night long! “In Alaska, the summer solstice is celebrated with a midnight baseball game called the Midnight Sun Game. The game starts at 10:00 pm and goes well into the next morning, without the need for any artificial light. The Midnight Sun Game has been played since 1906!”

Happy Summer AMS

Wishing all of our AMS employees, clients and friends a Very Happy Summer! Here we go! It’s the growing season, and our gardens are ready to enjoy. It’s also the season for outdoor fun, trips to the lake or river, hikes in the parks, baseball games with the kids… Summer is here!! Enjoy!!