A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

In March, when we decided to dedicate our Q2 issue to topics relevant to COVID-19, the pandemic was at the forefront of our minds. Its effect on the health and safety of our families and loved ones, the ways the virus is reshaping the way that we work and live, and the economic impact being experienced in our communities was – and continues to be – truly unprecedented.

As I sit down to write this letter today, COVID-19 continues to affect the world, but we have another topic that also demands our attention. We are mourning the tragic deaths of Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others who have come before and confronting what their deaths demonstrate about racism. The anguish being expressed in communities across the United States and around the world is profound, and the peaceful protests that are taking place are powerful symbols of that.

At PeopleScout and the broader TrueBlue organization, we stand together with the Black community and all allies in the battle against systemic racism and injustice, and we are committed to continuing to strive for true equality.

As we confront the ongoing impact that systemic racism has on our society, we are beginning with reflection across our own organization. We have just completed a series of forums designed to foster open and honest conversations about racism through which employees have bravely shared their experiences and thoughts on what we can do as individuals and collectively.

Looking toward the future, we are committed to learning, listening and taking action to ensure that PeopleScout and TrueBlue are a force for good in the fight for equality. An encouraging sign that this fight is growing stronger is the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court that protects LGBTQ+ workers from job discrimination. This has long been part of our Code of Conduct, and we are proud to celebrate this victory and Pride Month with the LGBTQ+ community.

While we double down on our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we also continue to partner with our clients to support them as we together face the new “normal” brought about by the coronavirus. To that end, the content in this issue focuses on three key concepts: Now: How to Be There for Employees During Times of Crisis; The New Normal: Adapting to a New Way of Working; and The Next Normal: Looking Ahead.

In this issue I share my philosophy on leading through crisis, and you’ll also hear from several of our internal leaders and experts on key topics, like transitioning to a virtual hiring solution, keeping employees engaged during a crisis and the importance of business continuity planning. We also explore how the pandemic will have a permanent effect on the talent acquisition industry, as well as explore technology tools – like texting and video interviewing – that take on even greater importance as social distancing has become the norm.

In follow-up to this issue, we will continue to explore the ways that COVID-19 is reshaping the workforce. We will also be developing content for our next issue on how we can combat systemic racism in the workplace and support true equality for all people.

Thank you for being a part of the PeopleScout community. Please feel free to contact me or your PeopleScout partner directly at any time to share your feedback on NEXT, discuss how we can best support you throughout the COVID-19 crisis, or have a candid conversation about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Please take good care of yourselves, your loved ones and one another.

From Now to Next,