April 14, 2020
People + Work Connect Brings Together Leading Companies to Keep People Employed During COVID-19 Crisis
New global employer-to-employer initiative powered by Accenture’s analytics-driven platform
NEW YORK; April 14, 2020 – As unemployment surpasses record highs due to COVID-19, a group of leading companies from multiple industries has formed People + Work Connect, an employer-to-employer initiative that brings together companies laying off or furloughing people with those companies in urgent need of workers. There is no cost for employers to join and participate.
People + Work Connect was designed by CHROs from Accenture, Lincoln Financial Group, ServiceNow and Verizon — and Accenture built the platform. From idea to launch in just 14 business days, the initiative is rapidly attracting a range of companies.
To date, participating companies include ADM, Baxter, Blue Apron, Cargill, Frito-Lay, Lincoln Financial Group, Marriott, Mondelēz International, Nordstrom, ServiceNow, Walmart and Zenefits. Additionally, more than 250 companies are expected to onboard over the next week, and the platform will soon add public sector jobs.
People + Work has been able to quickly scale the participation of companies due to the invaluable support and commitment to help put people back to work from Business Roundtable, Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies in the ILR School at Cornell University, Center for Executive Succession at the Darla Moore School of Business, Gallup and the CHRO Roundtable, HR Policy Association, Institute for Corporate Productivity, National Academy of Human Resources, Society for Human Resource Management and World50.
The business-to-business platform enables companies that are best positioned to rapidly share the experience and skills of their laid-off or furloughed workforces to connect at no cost with other companies on the platform that are seeking workers. The platform is global and cross-industry to maximize the ability to deploy people with similar skills in one industry into other industries where jobs are being created. Ultimately, this will shorten the complex, often lengthy cycle of unemployment for people. The analytics-driven platform pools non-confidential and aggregated workforce information by categories such as location and experience.
The CHROs who are leading People + Work Connect came together to create a collaborative, inclusive community to help put people back to work quickly in areas of new opportunity.
“By providing real-time visibility into which companies need people and where, People + Work Connect is designed to lessen the economic and societal impacts of the virus and help us work together to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people,” said Ellyn Shook, Accenture’s chief leadership and human resources officer.
“Life is filled with many moments that matter, including some that are tougher than others. People remember who shows up during those tough times to help them through,” said Lisa M. Buckingham, executive vice president and chief people, place and brand officer for Lincoln Financial Group. “A small group of CHROs came together because we share a passion for making sure that we—and the companies we represent — are remembered for addressing this tough moment with compassion and a sense of responsibility that transcends the business we do every day.”
Pat Wadors, chief talent officer at ServiceNow, said, “This crisis has created massive job loss and people need help finding work. By connecting companies that are hiring with a talented and available workforce, technology is truly acting in service of people. Working together, we can quickly make a meaningful impact on the people who need it most.”
“While the current pandemic has been the impetus for People + Work Connect, we expect this type of collaboration to become the norm going forward,” said Christy Pambianchi, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Verizon. “Now is the time to build a more resilient workforce — for today and tomorrow.”
For more information, visit: https://peopleworkconnect.accenture.com/welcome
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. We combine unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than 40 industries — powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. With 509,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and create lasting value across their enterprises. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help empower people to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, as well as to guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $275 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2019. Lincoln Financial Group is a committed corporate citizen included on major sustainability indices including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America and FTSE4Good. Dedicated to diversity and inclusion, Lincoln earned perfect 100 percent scores on the Corporate Equality Index and the Disability Equality Index. Lincoln has also been recognized in Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies and is among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers, Best Large Employers, Best Employers for Diversity, Best Employers for Women and ranked on the JUST 100 list. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Sign up for email alerts at http://newsroom.lfg.com.
About ServiceNow
ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is making the world of work, work better for people. Our cloud‑based platform and solutions deliver digital workflows that create great experiences and unlock productivity for employees and the enterprise. For more information, visit: www.servicenow.com.
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000, and it’s celebrating its 20th year as one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $131.9 billion in 2019. The company offers voice, data and video services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.
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Contacts:
Tourang Nazari
Accenture
+1 202 262 5574
tourang.nazari@accenture.com
Donna Lyden
Verizon
+1 908 872 0278
donna.lyden@verizon.com
Johnna Hoff
ServiceNow
+1 408 250 8644
johnna.hoff@servicenow.com
Scott Sloat
Lincoln Financial Group
+1 484 844 9428
scott.sloat@lfg.com
PEOPLE + WORK CONNECT – QUOTES FROM PARTICIPATING COMPANIES AND SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
ADM
“As we continue to fulfill our mission of unlocking the power of nature to enrich lives during this time of crisis, ADM has critical jobs that need to be filled right now – from operations experts to nutrition scientists to advanced analysts and more. People + Work Connect provides a unique way to align great people with great jobs, and we are thankful that so many groups are coming together to solve a very important challenge for employers and a need for job seekers as well.”
─ Michael D’Ambrose, Chief Human Resources Officer, ADM
Baxter
Our essential medical products are being used by healthcare professionals on the front lines of this pandemic. Intense demand for our products is creating additional employment opportunities – 800 in the U.S. alone. We look forward to collaborating with People + Work Connect to help us find talented, passionate individuals to join our Baxter team.”
─ Jeanne Mason, senior vice president, Human Resources, Baxter
Blue Apron
“During this unprecedented time of sudden, raging unemployment, this B2B platform is helping people get back to work when they need to most. It’s a valuable tool for businesses in need of talent to rapidly partner with companies who have furloughed staff greatly in need of work.”
─ Julie Betancur, Chief Human Resources Officer, Blue Apron
Business Round Table
“This platform will help match workers displaced by the epidemic with companies hiring to help manage increased capacity. It’s vital to think about innovative ways to match workers with job opportunities, and Accenture is on the leading edge.”
─ Joshua Bolten, President & CEO of Business Roundtable
Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies in the ILR School at Cornell University
“This is a call to action for HR leaders worldwide, and the Cornell ILR Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies is fully supportive and committed to being a leading partner to help accelerate the movement of workers across industries and companies in these challenging times.”
─ Brad Bell, Professor of Human Resource Studies and Academic Director of the Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies (CAHRS), ILR School at Cornell University
Center for Executive Succession at the Darla Moore School of Business
“People + Work Connect provides a stellar example of a group of HR executives identifying a problem that crosses individuals, organizations, and society, and quickly and creatively developing a potential solution. Certainly, only time will tell how effectively it solves the problem, but if it does it will point to how great HR can simultaneously contribute to the betterment of employees, firms, and the world during a time of crisis.”
─ Pat Wright, Thomas C. Vandiver Bicentennial Chair, Director of the Center for Executive Succession, Darla Moore School of Business
Gallup and the CHRO Roundtable
“As large companies in many industries had to start letting people go due to the impacts of COVID-19, CHROs from all over the world started checking in with me to find out who was hiring, beyond the obvious industries like essential retail and healthcare services. There was no central place you could go to find out, and the People + Work Connect is now that place.”
─ Larry Emond, Managing Director, Gallup and the CHRO Roundtable
HR Policy Association
“HR Policy Association is pleased to support this important initiative and has worked to help coalition members formulate policies and practical approaches to accelerate talent movement across companies in these extraordinary times. This cooperation is essential to help reduce the pandemic’s impact on people and the economy.”
─ Timothy J. Bartl, President and Chief Executive Officer, HR Policy Association
Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4CP)
“I’m so impressed with this initiative. This is an incredibly innovative and agile solution, which top HR leaders from multiple companies and industries have created in record time. i4cp is proud to be a leading supporter and to be helping organizations manage through this global pandemic and economic crisis.”
─ Kevin Oakes, Chief Executive Officer, i4CP
Marriott International
“As we navigate previously unthinkable variables, Marriott International is committed to doing all we can to take care of our associates, including embracing cutting-edge platforms like People + Work Connect that accelerate individual opportunity and an overall resilient workforce.”
─ Dr. David Rodriguez, Chief Human Resources Officer, Marriott International
Mondelēz International
“As one of the world’s leading food companies, we’re playing an important role in maintaining food supply. Our top priority is caring for our employees while creating a strong workforce to serve our customers and consumers in these times of need. With increased demand, we’re looking to reach potential workers displaced from their roles and believe this unique partnership will help us fast-track that process to the benefit of all those involved.”
─ Paulette Alviti, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Mondelēz International
National Academy of Human Resources
“The National Academy of Human Resources is engaged and fully supportive of this important coalition. This is a time for action and now more than any other time in recent history has the HR community had a need to act together, and in doing so take advantage of the opportunity to have a positive impact in the workplace.”
─ Jill Smart, President, National Academy of Human Resources
Society for Human Resource Management
“SHRM, along with its more than 300,000 members across the globe, is fully behind this critical initiative to connect people and work. This initiative illustrates perfectly the critical role the HR profession must play to deftly help people return to work after the healthcare crisis subsides. Amazing to see HR Leaders actually leading in this challenging time.”
─ Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO, Society for Human Resource Management
Walmart
“Walmart is committed to helping put Americans to work, while also helping better serve our customers during this unprecedented time. We’ve set a goal to hire 150,000 new associates by the end of May and right now we’re adding 5,000 people every day. We’re thrilled to be a part of People + Work Connect to help us continue finding great talent to add to our team.”
─ Donna Morris, Chief People Officer, Walmart
World50
"Challenging times bring out the very best in people, organizations and societies. World 50 is honored to be a supporter of this important initiative that will help purpose-driving organizations deliver impact where it is most needed and enable many people to find meaningful work at time when the world needs much of both.”
─ David Wilkie, Chief Executive Officer, World 50
Zenefits
“Anything we can do to support better work resiliency during this time is imperative. Zenefits is joining forces with the People+Work Connection program to build a tech-enabled community of support to more quickly match talented people with companies who are hiring.”
− Tracy Cote, Chief People Officer at Zenefits