The 643 Phase 2 weekly update

WelcomeToDesPlaines.pdf

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Happy Holidays! As we mentioned last week, our new Des Plaines location will be utilized for swing space for our team during The 643 Renovation. To further expedite our schedule and maintain your safety, the Chicago Office will be closed for business during the renovation. We recognize that this changes our previously discussed work schedule and appreciate your patience as we create a new schedule that provides as much flexibility and collaboration as possible.

·       Non-construction project related deliveries should be directed to Des Plaines, Barrington or your jobsite after 1/11/24.

·       Printers will be relocated to Barrington and Des Plaines as well as well as job start packet distribution.

If you haven’t visited Des Plaines yet, you should – it’s really cool!  Not only is it fresh and modern, but it also has several large spaces where we can gather, collaborate and conduct training. Click here to take a virtual tour of the space, compliments of our drone team: As we begin to utilize this spacious new facility, here is basic information that can help you feel comfortable.

Meeting Space

Feel free to start holding meetings in Des Plaines! There are many options available, and they have been added to Rooms in Outlook. Specifics including locations and capacities are noted in the attached Welcome Packet.

Open Workspace

• As monitors are moved from The 643 to Des Plaines, there are open workstations in Des Plaines that are available on a first-come first-served basis.

• Both hoteling space and assigned seating will be getting name plates so it’s easy to see what locations are available.  A floor map with conference rooms and desk assignments is in the Welcome Packet.

• As you use the space, please refrain from pinning/tacking anything to the walls. Command strips are available in Des Plaines for adhering anything to the walls/cubicles. You will notice that Des Plaines features a very open office layout. In the attached Welcome Packet, you will find some helpful tips and guidelines to help you get acclimated.  

Amenities

Keurig machines, refrigerators, microwaves, cups, plates and silverware are available and both vending and a Bevi machine are in process. The attached Welcome Packet includes local options for lunch and catering.

• Since eating at your desk can be distracting for neighbors, we encourage everyone to eat in the Roastery, which will be blocked off from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. each day.

Parking, Entrance and Transportation Information

• Des Plaines is located at 125 E. Oakton, which sits at the northeast corner of Oakton and Winthrop.  Pepper offices are on the Northwest side of the building and 365 will inhabit the East side. There is also unmetered street parking along Winthrop. Currently, parking on the northeast side of the lot is blocked off, as construction proceeds on 365 Equipment and Supply until mid-March.  A color-coded map is provided in the Welcome Packet.

• While GPS directions work well, handy directions are included in the attached Welcome Packet.

• We will eventually have four electric charging stations at Des Plaines. They will be installed when permits are ready.

• Everyone’s key fob has been activated to gain access to Des Plaines, and the entry system is similar to what we have at The 643. We will have a receptionist in Des Plaines but please continue to have items shipped to Barrington (or to Chicago until 1/11) while USPS confirms our address.

• If you don’t have transportation and can’t carpool but need to attend a meeting in Des Plaines, we have two loaner cars in Chicago at the LAZ parking lot. Please plan ahead and coordinate with Dave Morris and Alyssa Griggs to reserve or reach out to your manager for alternative arrangements.

• For anyone not permanently assigned to Des Plaines, we will address mileage reimbursement in alignment with our established company policy, which is designed to comply with IRS regulations that govern commutes. In practice, this means that for personal car use – Pepper would reimburse you for the difference between your standard commute and the temporary commute to Des Plaines. For those team members with a car allowance – Pepper would reimburse you for any miles in excess of 100 miles per day from 643 Orleans.  You can find our official mileage reimbursement policy here. 

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we get ready for construction! If you have any questions or need further clarification, please talk to your Senior Leader, or you can post any question here regarding The 643 or Des Plaines.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend ahead, and a Happy New Year!

Scot

643 Phase 2 Update

To ensure a smooth transition for everyone during The 643 Renovation, we are preparing for our move out of the building. Please continue going through your workspace to clean and consolidate. The most important thing you can do right now is think about what you can purge or scan and store digitally.

We are hosting our first Pepper Purge Day on 10/13!

• Locked shred boxes and gondolas have been placed on each floor.

• Plan on taking a lunch break and enjoy pizza on the second floor.

• Look for an Outlook invite to reserve time in your day for this important effort.

If you have questions, ask Jenn Hasty or your team’s Move Champion! (See the list below.)

Thank you to the following Move Champions who have volunteered to help coordinate our move and facilitate communication throughout the team. Feel free to ask a Champion if you have any questions!

Alyssa Griggs Grace Strauss Kristen Pezzoli

Marisa Munoz Chuck Jank Kelly Hampton

Juanita Garcia LaQuita Howell Christy Klobach

Colleen Vitkovich Dave Morris Jenn Hasty

We are also making significant progress on our new office space at Des Plaines.

• The Pepper Des Plaines office is located at 125 E. Oakton, Des Plaines, IL 60018

• We will have space for approximately 75 people.

• Your current key fob will work.

• Once construction is complete, we will let everyone know the office is ready to receive visitors. We will also host informal open houses if you’re interested in taking a peek.

Thank you for your continued patience with this process and your contribution to Pepper's success!

Phase 2 Embracing Change 9.22.23

The 643 renovation project will shape not only the future of our workspace but how we work together. Our new design provides a more inclusive and approachable atmosphere, helping us build strong working relationships across all levels of the organization. While designs are still in DD, we want to socialize the direction we are heading and talk through three distinct areas on each floor:

01 Open WorkSpace

02 Enclosed WorkSpace

03 Collaboration and Support Areas

Today let’s talk about Open WorkSpace

Open office environments are more dynamic and interactive workspaces. Our transition to this type of environment will support company culture and enhance collaboration. The floorplan below illustrates areas that feature this type of space.

Benefits:

· Access to Views and Natural Light: Open office designs allow everyone access to views and natural light, which has tremendous health and wellness benefits.

· Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: The open office promotes spontaneous conversations and facilitates collaboration across teams.

· Flexibility and Adaptability: The open office environment is more flexible and allows us to more easily adapt the space as needed to accommodate project requirements and support team dynamics.

Keeping Quality of Life Top of Mind

Change inevitably sparks questions and concerns. Our Columbus and Cincinnati teams have transitioned to a fully open environment. While our plan includes some enclosed office space, we have learned a lot from our colleagues in Ohio about how to address the potential challenges associated with the open office concept. Here are a few of the strategies we will be employing at The 643.

• To mitigate concerns related to noise levels in the open environment we will be implementing white noise systems on each floor.

• There will also be designated areas for quiet work. We have increased the amount of shared enclosed space on each floor. Look for more information on shared spaces when we talk about collaboration spaces.

• Our spaces will be equipped with a wide range of tools that support a range of workstyles. For example, we are exploring systems like BlinkLyte, which Ohio piloted, a lighting system that visually lets your teammates know when you are available to talk.

Next Steps:

We have also been meeting with leadership in each department to ensure that our preliminary design works for the unique needs of each specialized team. Thank you to everyone who participated in these conversations. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. All feedback will be brought to the designer’s attention and thoroughly discussed by the project team.

We are committed to ensuring a smooth and supportive transition for everyone. Over the next few weeks/months, you can expect to receive more detailed information about the project including our plan during construction, which we expect to begin in late January.

To prepare for the move, we are asking everyone to start going through your workspace to clean and consolidate. What can you purge? What can be scanned and stored digitally? A locked shred box and gondolas will be placed on each floor to facilitate this process. Have questions? Ask Jenn Hasty, who is coordinating this effort.

We are excited about this new chapter and the positive impact it will have on the way we do our work. Thank you for your continued patience with this process and your contribution to Pepper's success.