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We are in for it now.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2000
- Posts
- 12,729
U.S. Team,
The threat of COVID-19 continues to rise with 2.5M+ active cases in the U.S. today, up more than 200K since our last time we updated. While there have been some improvements in previous hotspots, the broader situation around schooling and the general outlook ahead of flu season remain dynamic.
As such, we are maintaining our more cautious approach and extending current work arrangements through at least Jan. 4, 2021. Continue to seek approval from your manager on any exceptions, and continue to follow prevention guidance to protect yourself and others.
We recognize that many of you are looking for clarity on what the future holds and the process and timing for returning to more normalcy. While we don’t have all of the answers today, below are more insights on the situation and our approach.
U.S. Situation
· Despite efforts to stop the spread, 268 of our co-workers in the U.S. have contracted COVID-19 to date.
· More than 50 U.S. employees contracted COVID-19 since our last update, and most were contracted outside the workplace.
· Most schools are maintaining a hybrid model today, and the broader impact of schooling is yet to be determined.
· In addition, the medical community forecasts the potential for a rise in flu and COVID-19 cases, coining it as the “Twindemic” that could have severe and lasting impacts on society.
Where we stand
· The situation remains highly fluid and prevention remains the main method to stop the spread of the virus.
· Added safety measures at our facilities today require fewer people to be onsite to effectively manage risk.
· We know that many of you are continuing to adjust your routines to adapt in this environment and that you want advanced notice of any changes to the current approach.
· We have also heard your feedback from recent surveys requesting more flexibility to manage work and life priorities through the pandemic and beyond.
· At the same time, we recognize that there are benefits to in-person collaboration, which you feel are missing today.
What’s next
· We are working on additional flexible work options with HR. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
· In addition, we are exploring opportunities to rethink our physical workspace to support in-person collaboration and address longer-term safety risks.
· Looking forward, the decision to increase the number of people at our facilities will be based on the overall risk profile, case counts, and business need. When that time comes, we would start with a smaller percentage of the workforce determined by role and site capacity requirements.
· Any changes to our current approach will be communicated in advance so you can plan accordingly.
We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will reassess our approach early next year. Our top priority remains protecting the health and safety of our teams, while maintaining our operations and supporting our customers. For more information, access COVID-19 resources on ********************
North America Crisis Management Team
The threat of COVID-19 continues to rise with 2.5M+ active cases in the U.S. today, up more than 200K since our last time we updated. While there have been some improvements in previous hotspots, the broader situation around schooling and the general outlook ahead of flu season remain dynamic.
As such, we are maintaining our more cautious approach and extending current work arrangements through at least Jan. 4, 2021. Continue to seek approval from your manager on any exceptions, and continue to follow prevention guidance to protect yourself and others.
We recognize that many of you are looking for clarity on what the future holds and the process and timing for returning to more normalcy. While we don’t have all of the answers today, below are more insights on the situation and our approach.
U.S. Situation
· Despite efforts to stop the spread, 268 of our co-workers in the U.S. have contracted COVID-19 to date.
· More than 50 U.S. employees contracted COVID-19 since our last update, and most were contracted outside the workplace.
· Most schools are maintaining a hybrid model today, and the broader impact of schooling is yet to be determined.
· In addition, the medical community forecasts the potential for a rise in flu and COVID-19 cases, coining it as the “Twindemic” that could have severe and lasting impacts on society.
Where we stand
· The situation remains highly fluid and prevention remains the main method to stop the spread of the virus.
· Added safety measures at our facilities today require fewer people to be onsite to effectively manage risk.
· We know that many of you are continuing to adjust your routines to adapt in this environment and that you want advanced notice of any changes to the current approach.
· We have also heard your feedback from recent surveys requesting more flexibility to manage work and life priorities through the pandemic and beyond.
· At the same time, we recognize that there are benefits to in-person collaboration, which you feel are missing today.
What’s next
· We are working on additional flexible work options with HR. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
· In addition, we are exploring opportunities to rethink our physical workspace to support in-person collaboration and address longer-term safety risks.
· Looking forward, the decision to increase the number of people at our facilities will be based on the overall risk profile, case counts, and business need. When that time comes, we would start with a smaller percentage of the workforce determined by role and site capacity requirements.
· Any changes to our current approach will be communicated in advance so you can plan accordingly.
We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will reassess our approach early next year. Our top priority remains protecting the health and safety of our teams, while maintaining our operations and supporting our customers. For more information, access COVID-19 resources on ********************
North America Crisis Management Team
