xelon Corporation is an electric utility company based in Chicago that provides power to some 5 million midwestern customers. In many ways, this company of 30,000 employees typifies the experiences of most American companies in dealing with the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

    On the day of the attacks, the company’s downtown Chicago offices were evacuated and its nuclear plants went on high alert. The National Guard stepped in to provide additional monitoring and security. The next day, the company established procedures to help employees who wished to make blood donations or cash contributions to the victims. On September 13, letters were sent to workers reminding them of the services available through the company’s EAP. Letters highlighting the importance of not discriminating against others because of religious beliefs quickly followed. Ten days after that, the company’s HR department reviewed its military-leave policy and enhanced the benefits available to workers who might be called up.

    But after the first two weeks of anxiety and action, the work life at Exelon pretty much returned to normal. According to S. Gary Snodgrass, senior vice president and chief HR officer, the workplace changes since that time have been subtle. "It’s elusive and tough to get your arms around," Snodgrass says, "but employees and managers seem to show greater interest in getting to know more about each other. We’ve also seen employees reaffirming their wish to spend more time with family." Ironically, he adds, employees also seem to be more focused at work. "We provide a principal product and service to society. Our people have always had a fairly strong sense of purpose, but it seems higher now."

    Are there any lessons that Snodgrass has personally learned from September 11? "The last few months have been a time of incredible personal reflection," he says. "I think the events helped all of us put our priorities in place and realize that at the end of the day, this is just work."

Workforce, March 2002, p. 36 -- Subscribe Now!