Lilly’s Return to Our Workplaces

When COVID-19 erupted early last year, Lilly marshalled our scientific expertise and resources to attack the virus with everything we could.

Our scientists discovered and developed new treatments for COVID in record time – medicines that are saving lives. In our hometown of Indianapolis, we launched a drive-through testing facility at our corporate headquarters, and later worked with public health officials to help establish testing centers across the state – boosting Indiana’s testing capacity by a factor of 10,000 from the early days of the pandemic.

And Lilly’s move to send workers home from our offices in early March of last year was a signal to other large employers, and the community at large, that one of the best ways to slow the spread of COVID was to stay home. Because we’re such a large employer in the health care field, many took notice.

More than a year later, I’m pleased to say that we’re actively planning Lilly’s return to our workplace in downtown Indianapolis, and other facilities around the world.

The pandemic isn’t over yet, but here in the United States, we’re making steady progress in finally slowing the spread of COVID-19.

As a global company, Lilly remains committed to aiding the fight in hotspots around the world where the virus continues to rage – such as donating and partnering with local manufacturers on COVID-19 treatments we’ve developed to help save lives in India.

But with more than 2 million people in our home state of Indiana fully vaccinated – nearly 40 percent of the eligible population – we’re starting to see light at end of the tunnel here, and in many other locations where we have operations.

All through the pandemic, thousands of Lilly employees in essential manufacturing and research jobs have been coming into our facilities to make vital medicines for the world.

But about 7,000 of our U.S. office-based workers, and thousands more globally, have been working from our homes for more than a year.

On June 1, Lilly will begin reopening our downtown Indianapolis offices, inviting 25 percent of our workforce back – with masking and distancing indoors, and a requirement for vaccination.

Barring a change in the steady downward case rate in the community, we will then open to all Indianapolis-based employees on July 12.

Our new work model will be based on the requirements for each job – some employees will be on site all the time, others most of the time, and some will have even more flexibility.

We’ve learned that individual work, and some transactional work, is easier done remotely. Employees in those roles can choose that option in consultation with their supervisor.

But collaboration, innovation and learning is best done in-person at our facilities.

Lilly is not taking these steps casually. As we have throughout the pandemic, we have worked closely with the Indiana State Department of Health and our local county health department in developing our plan.

We have taken a data-based approach, and will continue to do so. If external factors change, we will adapt. In other countries, Lilly offices will continue to follow local guidelines and open as they are allowed based on local circumstances.

Lilly remains committed to our hometown of Indianapolis and the economic impact that our employees and facilities have on our community. We’re looking forward to seeing Downtown Indianapolis thriving as more workers return to offices, shops, and restaurants.

Since opening our doors 145 years ago, our core values of integrity, excellence and respect for people have guided our actions. I’m grateful and proud of all that Lilly people have accomplished over these last 14 months; I know it wasn’t easy for many. As we return to the workplace, I want every employee to feel like they’re part of Team Lilly – no matter where they work.

#WeAreLilly