GM Tells Most Salaried Workers to Stay Home Till Next Summer by Mark Phelan and Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press
General Motors salaried workers in the U.S. have been told to plan on continuing to work from home until at least June 30, 2021, according to an internal document provided to the Free Press. “In coming weeks, you will receive instructions from your site leader regarding the process to retrieve personal belongings and any equipment necessary to work remotely,” according to an email signed by GM Global Human Resources Chief Kim Brycz and GM Chief Sustainability Officer Dane Parker. Hundreds of GM salaried employees are already working at factories, tech centers and other facilities, but the vast majority have been working remotely since the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic became clear in March. “Our current outlook is to continue operating as we are today until June 30, 2021,” the memo said, adding GM is working to create “a more flexible work culture” after the
pandemic. The memo concluded with a reminder for all employees to practice good safety protocols: “Wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, physically distance whenever possible and get a flu shot when they become available this fall.” GM had been considering bringing some employees back later this year. The revised schedule is the latest sign U.S. business leaders think we’re a long way from having the pandemic under control with treatments or a widely available vaccine. “Every company is struggling with when and how to bring employees back into corporate offices, particularly since mass availability of a vaccine remains months away,” Cox Automotive Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs said. “Configuration of workplaces and common areas, like the cafeteria and restrooms, have to be contemplated. Ventilation is a consideration. “Getting people to and from
their offices using elevators is a conundrum. Sure, you can try to limit the number of people in an elevator, but then how do you manage people gathering to wait for the elevator.” Separately, employees at Wards Communications cleared out their offices in Southfield, MI, this week at the company that has covered the auto industry for nearly a century. Ward’s employees will work remotely, using a portion of their previous workspace for supplies, occasional meetings and a video studio. “Employers have discovered that their workforce has been surprisingly productive working from home, albeit not ideal especially for parents with children being schooled at home,” Krebs said. “And no company—like schools and colleges— wants to get people back into the office only to suffer a virus outbreak and send everyone home.” We thank the Detroit Free Press for reprint permission.
ProColor Collision to Enter U.S. Market Mondofix (Fix Network World) has announced plans to launch the ProColor Collision brand in the U.S. “There is tremendous potential for the continued growth of the automotive aftermarket space in the United States, in particular the collision business,” said Steve Leal, president and CEO of Fix Network World. “We look forward to growing the ProColor Collision brand by directly pursuing aggressive new strategies that leverage our global track record and benefit industry partners and customers in the U.S.” Fix Network World acquired ProColor Collision in September 2019 with a vision to expand the valuable brand outside Quebec. The first ProColor Collision location in Ontario, Canada, opened in July of this year, with another 14 locations expected to launch across Canada by December. In the U.S., ProColor Collision will initially focus on building its network in California, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Source: ProColor Collision
AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE
The Secrets of America’s Is noblwe for aila Greatest Body Shops avpurchase!
When all you need to do is move a vehicle, use:
by: Dave Luehr and Stacey Phillips
The Book That Will Challenge Everything You Know About the Collision Repair Business.
> EASY TO USE <
SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY
Order your copy today and join the Body Shop Secrets community!
Go to www.forkliftwrecker.com and watch our video.
www.bodyshopsecrets.com
877.593.6959
Waterborne Wax and Grease Remover SINCE 1985
R CKE
A R C Y L
PO
Available from YOUR local Jobber or CALL: 973.335.2828 FAX: 973.402.7222 polycracker@netscape.com
For more information, contact the authors at info@bodyshopsecrets.com
Looking for Good Collision Personnel? •1,262 Collision Techs resumes online •1,295 Painters resumes online •1,177 Estimators & Mgs resumes online •11,256 Mechanical Tech resumes online www.actautostaffing.com or 727-733-5600
FREE 4x Monthly E-Newsletter. Subscribe Today! AUTOBODY
www.autobodynews.com
Advertise In Our CLASSIFIED SECTION For $50 Per Column Inch! Place an ad in our
AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE section of Autobody News.
800-699-8251
ltedesco@autobodynews.com
58 OCTOBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com
Midwest_Issue_1020.indd 58
9/21/2020 4:12:09 PM
