American Express is a global financial company that specializes in payment cards for consumers and businesses, as well as travel services. The company's green charge card has the distinction of being the world's first charge card to be made out of plastic, replacing the paper cards that were in use prior to its 1959 introduction. The company was founded as a freight forwarding company in 1850. American Express Travelers Cheques, introduced in 1891, made it possible for people to obtain cash in foreign countries, changing the nature of travel and the company's profile. Over its history, American Express has owned railways, cable television, and investment banking. The company is currently organized in four business segments: U.S. consumer services, international card services, commercial services, and global merchant and networking services.
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Amex’s global, highly engaged staff receive desirable benefits, not to mention 20 weeks of parental leave, leadership tools, and career mobility resources. The company also hosts colleague appreciation events.
Employees say: "Amex cares a lot about the well-being and psychological safety of employees. The colleague networks offer a wide variety of opportunities to embrace shared interests and interact/learn. Our parental leave policies are among the best in the U.S. This company cares about developing skills and helping people grow and advance their careers. I feel supported by leadership."
Employees say:
"As a parent or person in a family - the tools that Amex provides for people to grow their families is tremendous. There's comprehensive coverage to support significant costs of adoption, surrogacy and conception/maternity needs. Followed by a super generous family leave policy to enable all parents to be present for their new family members that arrive through birth or adoption. Paid family leave during such a pivotal growth moment is rare in this country, and the length of time Amex provides for its employees is truly amazing."
Employees say:
"The culture is outstanding. People of different backgrounds are brought in and encouraged to be themselves. The sense of inclusion and belonging is very high. On top of that people feel inclined to do their best and most colleagues want to be a part of helping American Express succeed and reach new heights. Leaders are focused on helping people grow to their fullest potential, try new things and develop new skills."
Employees say:
"Amex consistently looks out for their employees, their customers, and their business. During the pandemic, they found a unique way to still be able to keep each and every employee still employed. They take care of us, they care about us as people, and they give us the opportunity not only to advance our careers, but also to still maintain our lives outside of work. Amex is hands-down the best company I've ever worked for, and I won't be leaving anytime soon."
Employees say:
"I think Amex's flexible working policy is unique and really contributes to my overall sense of well-being and belongingness to the company. I can work in the office, work from home, work my own hours (within reason), as long as the work I produce is of high-quality and consistent. This makes me feel in charge of myself and my career and therefore makes me work harder and take a greater pride in the work I produce. Out of everywhere that I have worked, Amex is by far the most trusting of its employees and gives us the most space and responsibility to grow and deliver. It is called Amex Flex, and it is one of my favorite things about working here."
Employees say:
"Terrific management; truly care about customers and colleagues; great opportunities to do different jobs that allow for a great deal of professional and career growth. A wonderful culture that is very collegial and built on connecting with others."
American Express has built its success as a globally integrated payments company through its connected workplace, the core of which consists of informal “coffee chats” that bolster employee collaboration, increase their visibility, and provide feedback to supervisors. This transparency and consistent employee input has proved vital in sustaining the Amex Flex hybrid and remote work system. Doubling its amount of free annual counseling sessions, Amex continues to expand its mental health services and also provides employee dependent care, eldercare, and support for parents of children with disabilities. Amex has maintained 100% pay equity for four years running and has exceeded its initial goal of providing, by 2024, capital and financial education to over 250,000 businesses run by underrepresented owners. Beyond sustaining connection and support within the company, Amex has pledged more than $30 million through 2024 as part of its Backing Small initiative to support economically vulnerable small business owners through grant programs, mentoring support, and technical assistance.
For the third year in a row, American Express achieved 100% pay equity across gender globally, and across race in the U.S., unfortunately still a rarity for many firms. It also increased the number of employees who are eligible for company stock options; expanded mental health benefits; and began subsidizing virtual tutoring for workers’ children who need the extra help. Beyond those benefits, Amex continues to take the lead among its financial-firm peers in scheduling flexibility, allowing employees not required to be on-site full-time to “Work From Anywhere” up to 30 days a year. Some 80% of employees can work remotely day-to-day, while 99% of the workforce is eligible for hybrid work. Unlike other companies, Amex has proved its commitment to diversity and inclusion is more than just a talking point: The company is expanding its $1 billion investment in diverse suppliers and other such initiatives to $4 billion by the end of 2025.
Employees say:
"I think we have great people that are talented, driven, highly competent, and truly care for our customers and each other. We have a healthy paid time off allocation each year that really enables work-life balance and mental health. We have very clear objectives and we all know how we contribute against those, giving us a sense of pride and commitment to keep going and driving results every day."
Employees say:
"I love American Express. I believe that our company has one of the best brands in the world. We harvest a cohesive culture that embraces everything from change management to supporting one with personal growth and diversity. It makes me smile knowing and seeing pictures of employees who give back to our communities."
Employees say:
"The parental leave program for birthing AND non birthing parents is outstanding, and very generous. I am also eternally grateful for the childcare options we provide—as a parent, these benefits are indescribably valuable to me, along with the flexibility that hybrid work provides."
Employees say:
"American Express has amazing ethical and social stances and responsibilities and seems to always do the right thing. It's rare to have a CEO that has such ethical and humane beliefs that they stand by publicly. Benefits are good, including covering the majority of medications people need."
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