HELLO from Alpharetta!
Raquel was live with Sam Hammock and Shawn Alexander to talk about our Work Forward Hubs and everything happening in October around the business.
On today’s edition of Up To Speed, we came to you live from Alpharetta, GA, which happens to be home to a Verizon Work Forward Hub, Verizon Consumer Market Hub and a Verizon Network Hub – a true trifecta of Verizon Hubs!
Reflecting on recent events
Before kicking off the show, our Chief Human Resources Officer Sam Hammock took a moment to acknowledge and address the recent events in Israel and Gaza.
Sam stressed that at Verizon, we unequivocally condemn terrorism and attacks on innocent civilians in the country, and our thoughts remain with all the victims and their loved ones as we pray for peace across the entire region.
We understand that many V Teamers have close ties to the region and have been personally affected. Please remember that we have resources like our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) should you need additional support.
U.S. EAP or call 888.441.8674
Work Forward Engagement Hubs
We kicked off the show by sharing a video that featured some fun facts about the Alpharetta, GA, Work Forward Hub. Did you know that 2,200 V Teamers call this Hub home, and the Atlantic South market is home to 262 of our stores? Pretty neat!
Earlier this month, we officially launched our Work Forward Engagement Hubs, and Sam shared that the goal for these Hubs is to strengthen engagement and foster a deeper sense of community by creating cultural centers where our V Teamers can come together, work together and drive our business forward.
Currently, there are seven Hub locations that represent key business and talent markets. These include: Alpharetta GA; Ashburn, VA/Washington, D.C./Reston, VA; Boston, MA; Cary, NC; India; Irving, TX and Lake Mary FL, and we will continue to evaluate other potential locations.
Future Hub expansions
Sam shared that these Hubs are just the beginning and that we want to capture learnings and establish a blueprint for success before expanding to other locations.
Sam stressed that no matter where you work – whether in a Hub or another Verizon location – we want every employee to feel as though our workplaces are a magnet that foster collaboration, promote belonging, spark innovative thinking and drive our business forward.
Engagement leads
Every Work Forward Hub has an engagement lead, and Alpharetta’s is Retail VP Shawn Alexander. Shawn joined Raquel and Sam to share what her vision is for engagement in Alpharetta and what makes the Atlantic South market so special.
Important HR Updates
October is not only the start of the fourth quarter, it’s also a big month for HR happenings. Sam shared a few things to keep an eye on:
1. Annual Enrollment
If you’re in the U.S., keep an eye out for more details on annual enrollment. Also you can use the tools in Benefits Connection.
East associates - you have until tomorrow, October 12, to make any changes.
For U.S. management employees and West associates, enrollment starts on October 17 and runs through October 26.
2. Virgin Pulse
Complete a well-being activity and indicate your tobacco user status to earn credits toward your 2024 contributions. It’s like leaving money on the table if you don’t take action by December 31.
3. Career Profiles
Another important to-do: make sure to complete and update your career profile on V Team Central. Check out this recent Up To Speed episode for more information.
Having a well-populated career profile will lead to more personalized career opportunities as Talent GPS continues to evolve. This will also allow recruiters to search internally to fill open roles the same way they do externally.
4. Year-end process - get ready
While you’re thinking about the skills you currently have and how you want to grow your career, get ready for the year-end process that will kick off later this month.
Starting October 30, you will be able to enter your accomplishments and share not only what you delivered this year, but how you did it.
5. 4Q Pulse
Our last VZPulse survey of the year will run from October 16-27.
Our Hubs, Virgin Pulse and career resources are all ideas born from your feedback and what you shared. You asked, and we listened.
Upcoming events
Raquel and Sam also shared their thoughts on today’s International Day of the Girl Child celebration and what the day means to them. Today is also National Coming Out Day, and next week, our Black Originators Leaders and Doers (BOLD) employee resource group is having their homecoming events.
Yesterday, we recognized World Mental Health day, and if you missed it, be sure to catch the replay of a powerful conversation between Wireline Network Operations leader Kwame Trotman and Harvard Professor Jeremy Nobel, who discussed the importance of staying connected with the people we care about and some important insights regarding loneliness. Watch the replay here..
We also shared a special Up To Speed episode sharing a few ways you can take care of your mental health.
