Taking Care of You

Here is a message I sent to Medtronic employees as we all grapple with the injustices we've witnessed in the past days.

Dear colleagues,

May 25, 2020 is a day many of us will likely never forget. It was the day when the world witnessed the merciless killing of George Floyd. It is impossible to watch this horrific video without experiencing anger, frustration, and pain. Yet what is even more disturbing is that this has been a reality for black people for way too long. This outcry for justice is a wake-up call for all of us that we need to make systemic changes at a faster rate than the path we have been on.

Bearing witness to such a tragedy has understandably caused trauma to many within our Medtronic family. It is difficult to be fully present at work when such an injustice is weighing heavily on our hearts and minds. Whether it’s employees being mentally drained after watching the news, parents who are grappling with how to explain the state of the world to their children, or black employees who – in the words of activist Fannie Lou Hamer – are “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” we acknowledge that people need room to grieve, reflect, and start the process of healing.

In response to this tragedy, I want to make two messages abundantly clear. First, Medtronic is committed to being a safe place free from discrimination for all employees, and we are committed to doing more to end discrimination and social inequity in the communities where we live and work. We have teams developing action plans and we will be bringing you along on this journey as it develops. In the meantime, the Medtronic Foundation has identified nonprofits that employees can support through donations or volunteering. We have also integrated ways to take action on these social justice issues with Amnesty International.

Second, your health, mental well-being, and safety are our top priority. There are a variety of resources available to you and your family when you need them. For U.S. employees who need some personal time to process and refocus, know that you can take additional time off above and beyond your regular paid time off allowance with manager approval. As we develop additional resources, we will make you aware of how to access them.

Please know that we are here to support you through this difficult time. We will get through this together and we will continue to drive progress and change together.

Take care and stay safe,