April 11, 2022
Some features of the Lab’s sites and many operations and support processes have changed in the past 24 months. The Lab has developed a website that covers the most common questions about badges, access, transportation, safety, and food options.
In addition, the Lab will hold a virtual town hall on Wednesday, April 13 at 3 p.m. so subject matter experts can better acquaint veteran employees and newcomers alike with these changes.
One of the panelists will be Michael Brandt, Deputy Director for Operations and Chief Operating Officer for the Lab. Michael talks about change, Lab culture, safety, and the animals that make their home at the Lab.
What is the most significant change you have seen at the Lab in the past two years?
Overnight we transitioned from working at our Laboratory sites to telework from home. We showed our resilience by successfully collaborating to complete our scientific and support missions no matter our location. In June 2020 we began to expand the number of our staff working at our Lab sites consistent with public health guidance and partnership with the Berkeley Site Office. We are now gradually moving into a new hybrid work environment. Some of us will continue remote work, others will return to Lab sites and telework, and some have been working at a Lab site for most of the past two years. As someone who has been here throughout the pandemic, the biggest change I observe is the transformative and invigorating experience of interacting with people in person once again. Making personal connections helps to deepen work relationships, find creative solutions to problems, and foster innovation.
What have you learned about the Lab – its people and its culture - during the pandemic?
These past two years have been a period of enormous social and cultural change for all of us. I want to thank everyone for uniting to protect one another as a community. Collectively we lived our values by doing the simple things to benefit one another–completing the COVID symptom check, staying home if you thought you may be sick, testing, wearing a mask, social distancing, and following the other health protections we implemented.
I appreciate your thoughtful questions about the Lab’s Covid protocols and your offering suggestions. Your feedback helped us clarify our guidance and adapt our health protections as local Covid conditions changed. Thanks to your efforts, the Lab has had only one on site transmission of the coronavirus. Because of your involvement and pledge to protect one another, the Lab has been and continues to be a very safe place to work.
All of this illustrates how the Lab’s values are reflected in extraordinary times like a pandemic and our daily interactions with one another. We will continue to draw on our values, especially respect, trust, and team science as we return to Lab sites. Thank you for caring enough about your colleagues to do the right thing.
Why is safety an important emphasis as people return to Lab sites?
Safety is always important, but even more so since many of us have been away from our normal work routines. We want you to carefully return to work since your workplace may be different now. There are a few things you can do to adjust and adapt as you return to work:
Meet with your manager and colleagues to understand any changes in your workplace and safety expectations.
Talk with your colleagues and supervisor to plan your work together, ask questions, and slowly and safely resume your work.
When in doubt about your work activities, pause and ask for clarification…for any reason.
Our Lab culture is one where we not only accept questions, but welcome them to keep everyone safe and successful.
What is your favorite Lab critter — deer, turkey, or goat?
I remember two years ago, few people were on site, there was minimal vehicle traffic, and no construction activity. The animals began to settle into new routines. Our turkeys and deer roamed freely. Sometimes the turkeys even used the crosswalks! Grazing by the deer and their offspring helped to beautify our campus by trimming trees and grasses around our buildings. And who doesn’t like the goats? They have a functional role in trimming vegetation and reducing wildfire risk, beautifying the campus, and are always a welcome addition to our Lab.