Since the start of this crisis, Johnson & Johnson has mobilized to address critical needs of those around the world. This includes keeping its 132,000 employees safe, healthy and productive as the company works to develop an affordable, safe and effective vaccine that can be made available to the public on a not-for-profit basis for emergency pandemic use.
Peter Fasolo, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Johnson & Johnson, discusses how the company is acting on its Credo-based commitments to care for employees, their families and the communities in which they live and work during this global health crisis.
Q:
Johnson & Johnson’s workforce is diverse and spans the globe. How is the company protecting the health and safety of employees?
A:
No matter where our employees are located or what their role is – from onsite employees in our facilities, research labs, manufacturing sites and distribution centers, to those who are working in the field and from home – we’re committed to supporting their health and safety.
While Johnson & Johnson facilities remain open, we have moved to a work from home approach for office-based employees who can perform their roles remotely.
For those whose work in a facility is essential to advancing our science or ensuring the supply of our most critical products, we have taken steps to protect their health and safety as they continue to work onsite. In recognition of their dedication, we recently announced a one-time award of $1,000* to eligible Johnson & Johnson employees working onsite at our facilities globally.
Where possible, we are working with our suppliers and third-party vendors who provide services to us to adapt their working arrangements as well. We are continuously reassessing our policies consistent with health authority guidance and in support of the well-being of our entire workforce, our service providers, our communities and those we serve worldwide.
*The value of the award outside the United States, and in Puerto Rico, will be adjusted to take into account standard of living differences.
Q:
How is Johnson & Johnson supporting those employees who are working from home?
A:
So much of our workforce is now working from home and new dynamics and challenges are arising for employees every day, from balancing childcare to remotely managing teams and addressing other demands on our time. Johnson & Johnson companies have a long history of supporting our employees in their roles as mothers, fathers, caregivers, family members and community members, and we are continuing to do so through expanded policies to provide greater flexibility and support.
This includes paid time off for those who cannot work remotely or onsite and for those who are primary care givers to loved ones. We’re also encouraging managers and employees to work together to evaluate if flexible or adjusted schedules are possible and are providing benefits like back-up dependent care in the United States.
Q:
Prioritizing health and well-being—particularly mental health—is top of mind during this pandemic. How is Johnson & Johnson supporting employees in taking care of themselves and those around them?
A:
We know that our employees can only be at their best for their colleagues, families and communities when they take care of all aspects of their health – physical, mental and emotional.
Through our global Employee Assistance Program, employees have access to counselors who understand pandemic-related stress and are available around the clock by phone or on the web. We also expanded access to a digital resilience tool, providing new tips daily to support mental well-being during this complicated time. In an effort to encourage our employees to consider virtual medicine as a first line of defense, we are offering complimentary telemedicine advice for COVID-19 related symptoms.
These offerings build on our foundational programs designed to support employees in holistic health and well-being. For example, our Energy for Performance® training teaches employees behaviors and principles that help them to be more productive and effective, while maintaining health and happiness. All employees have access to this free training and to date, more than 92,000 employees have completed the program.
Q:
Johnson & Johnson is committed to giving back to the global community. How is the company supporting employees who wish to do the same?
A:
In the spirit of Our Credo and longstanding commitment to frontline healthcare workers, we’ve introduced a new global medical personnel leave policy. Medically trained Johnson & Johnson employees who are either called to serve or who volunteer can take a global minimum paid leave of up to 14 weeks over the course of a year to serve their communities in diagnosing, treating and providing health support for COVID-19. Since its launch, we have had more than 100 medically trained employees volunteer their time to combat this pandemic.
As an organization, Johnson & Johnson has long supported our employees in giving back to local and global communities. I’m incredibly proud of how our employees have mobilized and identified avenues to give back to causes near to them in the face of this crisis. Our #BacktheFrontline stories are one illustration of these efforts in action. Johnson & Johnson is also matching individual employee and retiree contributions to the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and the CDC Foundation’s Combat Coronavirus Campaign, dollar for dollar, up to $1 million to each organization.
