A Message from our Chief Executive Officer on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
May 18, 2020
To Our Compass Associates:
I wanted to update you on some “cautiously optimistic” business observations we are seeing, but balance those observations by telling you we still have a “responsible pessimism,” given how fluid the COVID-19 situation continues to be.
Firstly, before going any further, I would like to thank all of you who have worked tirelessly since this crisis began, especially those on the frontlines in healthcare, senior living, crisis feeding and those that are feeding children throughout the country. You have put your personal lives on hold to help the patients, doctors, nurses, children and communities we serve. I realize the days are long and challenging, and words cannot adequately express my gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do. Simply said, you are heroes.
We are encouraged that some of our clients are starting to phase in business openings, and as that happens, we are using words like the “New Normal.” While that phrase may feel daunting to some, we see it as an incredible opportunity, not a burden. We are determined to avoid the constraints of the past, and we are challenging each of our businesses to look for smarter, more innovative and efficient ways to operate.
Our path forward will continue to center on safety, which has always been our top priority and will be evermore critical as we transition past COVID-19. We are elevating our already strong standards through a number of measures to ensure our guests and Associates can interact with our culinary offerings and services with peace of mind. As businesses begin to reopen, things will look and feel different. But know this: our commitment to safety and wellbeing remains unwavering.
Innovation is a guiding principle for Compass Group’s New Normal. Our Company has always thrived through the imagination of our people, and we are working diligently on the evolution of technology and new guest experiences. We are reinforcing our excellent foodservice offerings in a safe and meaningful way, and we are reimagining our hospitality and support service experiences to exceed our guest and client expectations. We have taken this unprecedented time in our Company’s history to effectively shape what our New Normal will be.
These actions and many more that we are implementing will prepare us for what lies ahead. All of this is achievable because of our incredible people and culture. We must never forget that our people and our culture give us a significant advantage that our competitors do not have…that is why we are the Market Leader.
Thank you for all that you are doing. I am incredibly proud of all of you and incredibly proud of Compass.
Sincerely,
Gary Green
Chief Executive Officer
Compass Group North America
#CompassStrong
April 3, 2020
To Our Compass Associates:
Since I last reached out to you a little over a week ago, I have been asking myself the same question that you have probably been asking: “When will this horrible crisis end?” I wish I knew . . . but what I do know is that we will get through this, and what we need to do now is ensure that every action we take will allow us to thrive in the future.
I believe it is important to share with you what we have done this past week to ensure we exit this crisis positioned for success.
We have several dedicated teams that are working hard to find jobs for as many of our displaced Associates as possible, both within Compass Group businesses that are still operating, as well as with external companies that are hiring. In addition, we are collaborating with several of our valued clients, and many of the country’s largest employers, to do whatever we can to find employment for our Associates.
I want to stress that we are committed to ensuring that all of our people currently enrolled in a Compass Group medical plan will keep their medical benefits, regardless of their work status.
All of our senior leadership team, including myself, have taken a substantial salary decrease. We have also reduced all of our working managers’ salaries throughout the company. And, as I told you last week, we have made the very difficult decision to furlough some of our Associates across the business. This was the most heartbreaking decision I’ve ever had to make, but I remain confident that the day will come when these Associates will return to work, managers’ salaries will be restored and we will resume normal operations.
It is very important to me to personally thank the thousands of dedicated Compass Group Associates on the frontlines of this crisis. Some are cleaning and sterilizing facilities. Others are feeding patients, healthcare professionals, first responders and even schoolchildren who have lost access to meals they would normally receive. Our people are our HEROES, and I can’t thank them enough for all they are doing to save lives and serve our communities.
These are extraordinarily tough times, but I am confident we have the power to take ourselves through them. Since our founding 25 years ago, Compass Group has been guided by the belief that we would never be complacent – never satisfied, always striving to do better. Today, because of that spirit and resolve, I know we will rise to the challenge and come back stronger.
Sincerely,
Gary Green
Chief Executive Officer
Compass Group North America
#CompassStrong
March 19, 2020
To Our Compass Associates:
The last several days have been the most difficult in my 21 years as CEO of our organization. It is unbearable to watch closures and cancellations happen at such rapid rates, knowing that there are more to come, and realizing what it means to our business and most importantly, to our people.
When students can’t attend school, we are forced to close cafeterias. When fans can’t attend sporting events, we must close concessions. When employees can’t go into their office, we have to shut dining operations.
We are the leader in foodservice, hospitality and support services, and yet, because of the spread of coronavirus, we can’t do what we do best; serve great food and provide unsurpassed support services. Many of our partners have taken their own dramatic actions; measures which directly affect all of us.
My goal now is to position Compass Group for future success, because I believe we will get through this. I also want to ensure we are doing everything we can for our people by avoiding permanent job losses. In order to do this, we have made the extremely difficult decision to place some associates, in all functions of the business, on temporary leave, or furlough. I want you to know this is not about profit or numbers, and it’s not something I take lightly. We are taking this measure so we will ultimately be in a position to hire back our associates as quickly as possible. In order for us to have a future after coronavirus, I believe it’s our only alternative.
We have worked around the clock to come up with several measures to help our associates during this time. Most importantly, we are committed to allowing all of our associates enrolled in a Compass Group medical plan to keep their benefits, regardless of their work status. We are looking for opportunities to move displaced associates into open positions in other sectors near their homes. We are also assessing the possibility of temporarily matching displaced Compass associates with large companies that currently need help.
While the situation feels overwhelming, every step we take is done with a focus on how we will move ahead, and I ask that each of you do the same. We have always been a company inspired by a sense of purpose, and now more than ever, that purpose is clear to me: helping our clients and our associates get back to work in the communities we serve.
Sincerely,
Gary Green
Chief Executive Officer
Compass Group North America
#CompassStrong