ES740 Memo Assignment
Write a 800 word (+/- 10%) memo to your boss, at your current employer, arguing for a comprehensive, steady-state work model that creates a “new normal” during this ongoing and unpredictable global pandemic.
Your strategy would allow employees to better anticipate policies going forward, reduce uncertainty, and avoid whiplash from changing course when new variants emerge and Covid cases surge.
However, your proposed strategy must address the needs of all stakeholders, not just employees, including but not limited to: shareholders, customers, suppliers, the community, and the government.
The proposed strategy should also address well-documented concerns about remote work. These concerns may include the need to: maintain productivity; establish a constructive work culture; build and sustain relationships; promote collaboration and creative problem-solving; continuously innovate; mentor and train new employees; develop and retain new customers; accommodate unanticipated school closings and other caregiving responsibilities; support immuno-compromised employees; minimize the isolation that can come from working at home; adhere to public health guidelines; and so on.
Use a clear, easy to follow argument leveraging inductive reasoning to make your case. Support your argument with high-impact evidence, citing research from high quality sources. Be as comprehensive as possible. The word count excludes header material, footnotes, and endnotes.
Helpful readings:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/06/us/politics/former-biden-advisers-pandemic-strategy.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/20/opinion/covid-variant-omicron.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/22/opinion/remote-work-gen-z.html
Please do additional research as needed to support your recommendations.
Context
The setting is present day. You and your boss recently discussed the recent New York Times article entitled “Former Biden Advisers Urge a Pandemic Strategy for the New Normal.” In this article, advisers point out that “from a macro-perspective, it feels like we are always fighting yesterday’s crisis and not necessarily thinking what needs to be done today to prepare us for what comes next” and that “the United States must avoid becoming stuck in a perpetual state of emergency.”
This article resonated for you and your boss, as you started discussing the need for a “new normal” at your company – one that takes a long-term view, plans for inevitable outbreaks, and minimizes uncertainty and confusion.
Your boss was intrigued by your ideas and asked you to write up your plan in a clear, concise memo as first step. Later, there may be an opportunity to present to the leadership team.
These articles may provide some helpful background:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/02/business/goldman-sachs-return-to-office.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-pushes-wall-street-toward-work-from-home-future-11641384004
Note to Writer: Please refer to the attached power point slides for writing assistance and additional guidelines. Citations need to be Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition and 3 additional sources need to be used from credible sources (different from articles above) (refer to powerpoint deck.) If any questions arise I can be reached through text at (617) 938 9731.
