Lilly Plans for Fully Staffed HQ by Mid-July
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) has laid out a timeline for the return of office staff to the downtown headquarters and other facilities. Lilly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Ricks says the company anticipates having a full return of staff by July 12, barring a spike in COVID-19 cases in Marion County.
Starting June 1, the company will be opening with 25% capacity of its office-based staff.
“Our new work model will be based on the requirements of each job individually,” said Ricks. “Many will be on-site full time, while others some of the time, and even some will have greater flexibility.”
He says the company has learned how to successfully work remotely during the pandemic. Ricks says Lilly wants to “embrace the opportunity to have more flexibility for our employees while maintaining a vibrant workplace.”
Ricks says the company’s 7,000 office workers have been working remotely since last March, including himself. But 4,000 laboratory and manufacturing workers have remained on the job during the pandemic.
“We couldn’t have developed those new COVID therapies, we couldn’t have continued to supply the world with insulin without their incredible perseverance and service through the toughest part of the pandemic,” said Ricks.
The employees will be required to have been vaccinated, wear masks and practice social distancing.
Ricks says Lilly has worked closely with the Marion County Public Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health to develop its return-to-work policies.
“If external factors change, we will also adapt our plan. But I know like most of you, we’re looking forward to seeing downtown Indianapolis thrive again,” said Ricks.
Ricks said the decision to bring office staff back to downtown Indy was not taken lightly.