CEO Message - July 2 Update

What a strange couple of weeks it has been.  As we head into a surreal July 4^th weekend our country continues to grapple with COVID-19 and RACISM-20. Both challenges are amplified by job loss and a severe economic downturn.  It will take time for the pandemic and systemic racism to be eliminated, but with perseverance I am confident that we can make big progress in defeating both challenges.

Two weeks ago, we thought that our TD COVID-19 positive cases were steady, but they were actually on the increase, mirroring the overall trend. On June 16^th, we had 16 positives and now we stand at 54 and rising--over 2 per day for the last 2 weeks. Very few of our TD cases are traced to exposure at work. Our protocols are preventing Partner exposure at work, but it is very easy to unknowingly bring it to TD. Please take your temperature each morning, practice good hand hygiene, maintain a 6 feet minimum physical distance, and wear your mask. We have 96 Partners currently in self-quarantine due to exposure to a positive case or from exhibiting symptoms. PLEASE continue to follow our safety guidelines at home and at work for the protection of each other and our families. The virus has not changed, and it is very resilient.

We have been blessed that our one severe case, where our Partner has been in the ICU for 3 weeks, has improved and has been released home for recovery.  Thank you for your continued prayers for this Partner and for all of us and our families until a vaccine is developed. 

Our offices have been occupied on a limited basis and will continue to be so. The priority will continue to be Partners that need to be present to be productive and accomplish their work. Any Partner may go by an office or attend a meeting only after you have reviewed review the office protocol video - here is the link in the LMS: https://tdindustries.brainier.com/#/object/11479 . Our planned increase in occupancy on July 6^th has been pushed out to at least August 3^rd and will depend on an improvement in the current negative trends for community spread. 

Our other great challenge is to make progress to overcome RACISM-20. Our nation has been grappling with the systemic racial and social injustices that have permeated our country throughout its history, much of it specifically targeting the black community, and similarly felt to some degree by all persons of color. It is clear that not all people experience the same promise of "liberty and justice for all" upon which our country was founded. Sparked by the recent killing of George Floyd, citizens everywhere are standing up to systemic inequalities and demanding change. We now have an historic opportunity to come together and precipitate reform that is long overdue. Coming together will require political will and ongoing safe dialogue to learn from each other and change lifelong patterns of behavior. Your TD Executive Leadership team continues to set aside time each week to listen and learn from one another’s individual experiences.  Many other leaders and Partners are doing the same thing in their work groups.

Alicia Moore shared a wonderful dialogue tool: Managers’ Guide to Essential Conversations. I think you will find it helpful both in and outside TD. These conversations will help us learn how to stop long overdue disrespectful  behavior and end systemic racial inequality. All of the recent events have given new energy and meaning to our Core Value of Celebrate the Power of Individual Differences. 

Thank you for your disciplined adherence to our safety protocols and your hard work adapting to continue to create value for our customers. I hope you get some backyard BBQ time this weekend with close family or get to your favorite fishing hole early. 😊

I want to close the same way I try to start each day---with a grateful heart. In spite of all the difficult daily news, we have much to be thankful for!  We are still providing essential services in the greatest country I know of, working in a company where Partners care about each other, and very few of us are experiencing severe medical impact from the disease. Our partnership is strong and getting stronger through these difficult times. 

Happy 4^th of July!  Stay Safe.  #TDStrong!                   

Sincerely,
Harold