McCann announced its updated return to office policy in an internal memo sent by McCann CEO Harris Diamond to employees today, signed by Diamond and chief operating officer Bill Kolb.
The memo opens by explaining that McCann has developed a “detailed and measured” phased opening approach, which it is ready to implement. Diamond reassures employees that health and safety is the top concern and that “any return to office in the U.S. will be completely voluntary for the foreseeable future.”
The memo also stresses that McCann doesn’t want to imply any pressure to return to a physical office location, noting that technology has allowed the agency to “work remotely very effectively,” something many employees will continue to do while McCann creates and maintains safe, accessible office environments for those who want to utilize them.
To that end, each McCann office has submitted a plan taking into account the various factors such as the need to create a physical office environment promoting safe social distancing, local differences in transportation, school openings and safety guidelines and workspaces accessibility.
Phase 1 of the reopening will begin in September and focus on creating collaborative workspaces.
“Collaboration spaces will be limited, large open areas where people can meet to participate in new business pitches, work on creative reviews or discuss other important issues,” Diamond explained in the memo. Leaders of individual offices will share guidelines and procedures with employees for reserving and utilizing such spaces safely and they will also be equipped to accommodate employees joining such meetings remotely.
In addition to these collaborative spaces, most McCann offices will also have “a limited number of reserved desks where individuals can store their belongings, work and eat while in the office,” according to the memo.
Diamond reiterated that “the vast majority” of McCann employees will continue to work from home. He also emphasized that different locations were approaching a phased reopening differently. So while offices in China and the Middle East have already begun to reopen, those in California and Latin America “will probably not begin an initial phase anytime soon.”
Here’s the memo in full:
To All,
As the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day, approaches, we wanted to update you on the progress of our return to office plans in the U.S. We have been working through the myriad of challenges involved and have developed a phase-in plan that is detailed and measured, and we are pleased to share that we are now ready to begin our phased approach for returning to our offices.
First: Everyone’s health and safety is our primary concern.
While the Covid-19 infection rate has been flattening at a faster rate in some locations more than others, the disease threat has not gone away. Any return to office in the U.S. will be completely voluntary for the foreseeable future.
We do not want anyone to feel pressure to return to the office. Technology has proven that we can work remotely very effectively, which means that many of you can continue to work from afar, and that we can create and maintain an office environment that is both accessible and safe for those who want to use it.
Each of our offices has submitted a plan that takes into account the many factors needed to bring people back into physical contact with each other. As such, each plan is geared to recognize the need for social distancing and local differences (transportation, school openings, state and local guidelines), evaluates workspace accessibility and gauges the local support infrastructure needed to safely and effectively open the space, and once again bring people into the same physical space.
Your local leaders will be in touch with you soon with specific details around the plans for each one of your respective offices.
Our initial Phase 1 opening will begin in September and will be focused on creating collaborative workspaces only. Collaboration spaces will be limited, large open areas where people can meet to participate in new business pitches, work on creative reviews or discuss other important issues. They are designed to help you accomplish those tasks that are best served by in-person conversations. These spaces will be outfitted with all necessary technology to enable those working from home to join in any in-person meetings.
Our collaboration spaces can be maintained as long as every person follows the protocols of social distancing and proper safety measures. Specific guidelines and procedures circulated by leadership in your respective offices will include instructions on how to request, reserve and access them. Additionally, in most offices we will have a limited number of reserved desks where individuals can store their belongings, work and eat while in the office.
We have spent the last few months evaluating, finalizing and implementing details around such factors as elevator use, lobby access, security, cleaning, and HVAC enhancements/safety, as well as solidifying building entry rules and guidelines for gaining access. These safety details include a number of measures, including private and confidential health screenings as well as protocols for maintaining high-touch areas throughout our spaces.
For now, the vast majority of you will continue to work remotely. Again, to be clear, we do not want anyone to feel pressured to come into the office. If a meeting or activity is taking place where your participation is needed, we will make sure that the technology is in place for you to join remotely if you so choose. If you have any specific concerns, please let your local HR team know and they will respond to you directly.
Additionally, we remain sensitive to local differences, so the pace of our phase-in plans will vary around the world and in the U.S. depending on a wide set of legal, epidemiological, population and transportation factors. For example, in certain countries in China and the Middle East, our teams have already returned to the office, while our offices in LATAM and California, where the pandemic is at a different stage and where populations are denser, will probably not begin an initial phase anytime soon.
Finally, we personally want to thank you for the incredible job you have done during these challenging times. Your collaborative support of each other, despite the considerable obstacles, has been a tribute to the depth and substance of our spirit, culture and capabilities. As we move ahead, please know that our plans will continue to focus on your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of those closest to you.
— Harris & Bill