The City of Akron is becoming a familiar stop for eBay executives. Earlier this year, the online retailer chose the city as the pilot for its brick & mortar store. And now eBay has selected Akron for its first work-at-home program in North America.
The online marketplace is hiring 40 customer services representatives who will work from home in Akron providing support to online sellers.
eBay’s Head of North America Customer Service Operations Paul Gazeley says the eBay@Home program means more jobs in the US.
“It helps us at eBay to reduce our reliance on outsourced, offshore customer support,” said Gazeley.
Gazeley adds these at-home workers will get the same benefits as other employees, including 401K plans, sabbaticals, health care, and family leave.
“What we aim to do here is to bring the full experience of working for a top Silicon Valley company to employees in Akron,” said Gazeley, who works from his own home in Phoenix.
One of those new employees is Chaundra Trotter of Barberton who will make $13.50 an hour plus full benefits. She both buys and sells products on eBay, and says she can’t wait to start her new job.
“That’s Monday so wish me luck ,” Trotter chuckled. “I’m ready to go.”
eBay will expand its work-from-home program next in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Austin, Texas.
Chris Librie, Head of Global Impact & Giving, eBay: “In addition to our relationship with Akron through Retail Revival, it also makes sense to have our home team in a state, in a place where they can actually connect with our sellers and our customers.” [Mark Urycki / ideastream]