Exelon Experiences Subtle Changes

Exelon Corporation is an electric utility company based in Chicago thatprovides power to some 5 million midwestern customers. In many ways, thiscompany of 30,000 employees typifies the experiences of most American companiesin dealing with the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

On the day of the attacks, the company’s downtown Chicago offices wereevacuated and its nuclear plants went on high alert. The National Guard steppedin to provide additional monitoring and security. The next day, the companyestablished procedures to help employees who wished to make blood donations orcash contributions to the victims. On September 13, letters were sent to workersreminding them of the services available through the company’s EAP. Lettershighlighting the importance of not discriminating against others because ofreligious beliefs quickly followed. Ten days after that, the company’s HRdepartment reviewed its military-leave policy and enhanced the benefitsavailable to workers who might be called up.

But after the first two weeks of anxiety and action, the work life at Exelonpretty much returned to normal. According to S. Gary Snodgrass, senior vicepresident and chief HR officer, the workplace changes since that time have beensubtle. “It’s elusive and tough to get your arms around,” Snodgrass says,”but employees and managers seem to show greater interest in getting to knowmore about each other. We’ve also seen employees reaffirming their wish tospend more time with family.” Ironically, he adds, employees also seem to bemore focused at work. “We provide a principal product and service to society.Our people have always had a fairly strong sense of purpose, but it seems highernow.”

Are there any lessons that Snodgrass has personally learned from September11? “The last few months have been a time of incredible personal reflection,”he says. “I think the events helped all of us put our priorities in place andrealize that at the end of the day, this is just work.”

Workforce, March 2002, p. 36 — Subscribe Now!