DMMI – Wednesday, May 13 Update

Burmese Translation:

Our apologies for the length of today’s email! Please read carefully for next week’s pay and operations information, details about Michigan’s Executive Order, our phased approach to returning to work, customer recognition and associate resources.

Operations Ramp Up May 17, Premium Pay to End

We are starting to ramp up operations as government shelter in place orders are easing and our customers resume production. Next week at DMMI, more associates will be needed as automakers restart mass manufacturing. DENSO will continue to strictly follow all state and local government orders and safety practices to minimize risk. We will return to work in phases, as outlined in more detail below.

Because of these positive developments, our approach to pay will change. With limited operations over the past several weeks, we took steps to recognize the extra efforts made by DENSO’s on-site workers with a daily premium. This premium will end on May 17 as more associates are able to work from the company.

We will continue to pay 80% of base wages to all associates, contractors, interns and co-ops (a minimum of 32 hours per week for full-time). This will allow associates to keep full pay when combined with one PTO day each week.

Despite the many unknowns, we stand by our philosophy of supporting our associates through this time, and ensuring DENSO can endure the extended slowdowns caused by COVID-19. Many associates have had little or no slowdown; others will be required this week; others may not be needed yet. Please understand that expectations remain the same for all associates in every position—work when your customer needs you. However, this will be different for each associate.

Right now, we’re working to meet customer needs while complying with government orders and preserving our commitments to safety and quality. During Phase 1, we are still under government restrictions, which prevents us from cross-training associates to better balance workloads among teams and shifts. As we enter Phase 2, we will work to distribute hours more evenly. Now, more than ever, we need your understanding, patience and commitment to DENSO Spirit.

Safety

• Because your safety is our top priority, we have developed rigorous safety measures to help protect you as we return to the workplace. More details about these safety measures are in:
  • DMMI Returning to Work Safely Mailer
  • DMMI Entrance Screening Video Preview
  • DMMI Work Space Video Preview
  • DENSO North America Toolkit (password: denso2020)

Non-exempt Associate Pay

• Needed for On-Site Work:
• Leaders will notify associates who are needed to work on-site
• When finalized, a list of required associates and their start times will be posted by associate number on DENSO Online and DENSO Mobile.
• Associates will be paid normal wages, with a minimum of 6.4 hours per day for full-time associates.
• Please follow new entrance screening procedures—do not come to work if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who is sick.
• Refusing to come to work when needed (except those on an approved leave) disqualifies you from receiving DENSO minimum base wages and State Unemployment benefits.
• Working from home: Work with your leader on a work from home plan. You will be paid for hours worked, with a minimum of 32 hours for full-time associates.
• Not needed on-site and unable to work from home: Full-time associates will be paid 32 hours for the week beginning May 17. Part-time associates will be paid 80% of their regularly scheduled hours. This will allow most associates to keep full pay when combined with paid time off (PTO).*
• Contractors, co-ops and interns:  For the week beginning May 17, full-time workers will be paid 32 hours per week. If you are able to work more than 32 hours, you will be paid for hours worked.

*DENSO associates with paid time off (PTO) can choose to supplement this partial payment with PTO, otherwise the time will be recorded as unpaid time off without penalty.  

Exempt Associate Pay

• As our customers start mass production, more exempt associates will need to return to campus. However, this is limited to associates whose in-person presence is necessary.
• Leaders will work with individuals to plan work schedules for next week.
• Exempt associates who are not required to support operations should continue to work from home. This is an opportunity to focus on the value-added work or idea that you have not had time to consider in the past.
  • Associates with a full-time workload will be paid 100% of their wages.
  • Exempt associates who cannot add 100% value will take one PTO or unpaid day off.
• Associates who are part of NA Functional teams will follow direction set by your NA Functional Leader.

We will continue to update you on a week-by-week basis about our approach to operations and pay. Our commitment is to communicate openly and honestly as we navigate the challenges ahead.

Explanation of Safety, Training Requirements in Michigan Executive Order

• Last week, Michigan’s Stay Home Order was extended until May 28, requiring residents to remain at home or in their place of residence to the maximum extent feasible.
• Manufacturing (including automotive manufacturing) was identified as a resumed activity.  Details include:
  • Start-up Activities = Allowed to Start May 7

Workers necessary to perform start-up activities at manufacturing facilities, including activities necessary to prepare the facilities to follow the workplace safeguards described in section 11(k) of the Michigan Stay at Home Order outlined for manufacturing.

• Manufacturing Activities = Allowed to Start May 11

Workers necessary to perform manufacturing activities.

Includes workers whose in-person presence is necessary to enable, support or facilitate DENSO “manufacturing activity” and customer “manufacturing activity”.

• Sets requirements for businesses to allow in-person work (Training, Physical Controls, Administrative Controls, i.e., processes to identify associates who are diagnosed).
• Restricts the number of workers present on premises to no more than is strictly necessary to perform the in-person work permitted under the order.

This applies to ALL DENSO locations in Michigan, including DMMI in Battle Creek and other DENSO affiliates.

While most of our jobs in Michigan are related to enabling, supporting or facilitating manufacturing, we still intend to maximize work from home for positions that allow it. You should only work from the company when it’s impossible to complete your work from home.  No one should return to work from company unless specifically requested by their chain of command.

Definitions of DENSO’s Return to Work Phases 0 and 1

In our Tuesday, May 5 update, we explained DENSO’s four-phased approach to returning to work.  At the DMMI Virtual Town Hall on Monday, we shared the graphic above. We are currently moving to Phase 1 based on the easing of restrictions on manufacturing by the latest Michigan Executive Order. We must remain in Phase 1 for a minimum of 14 days and have no new government restrictions in order to move to the next phase.

• Phase 0 allows a limited number of associates whose in-person presence is necessary to enable, support or facilitate DENSO manufacturing activity and customer requirements. Many associates will continue to work from home, even if they cannot add 100% value. Managers should determine if they have any associates who need to support manufacturing activities and schedule their work in a manner that follows safety guidelines, including social distancing, while working from company.

• Phase 1 will allow many associates to continue working from home and a limited number of associates whose in-person presence is necessary to enable, support or facilitate DENSO manufacturing activity and customer requirements. A higher number of associates will be required to support resumed activities due to anticipated increase in Customer business/production. Some associates may consider a partial schedule working from company to complete job responsibilities (such as 50% from company and 50% at home). For teams with multiple associates that need to work from company to perform resumed activities, rotation schedules are highly encouraged to increase social distancing.

Safety Training Required According to the Michigan Order

Under the new order, safety training is required for every associate that returns to work on our campuses through May 28. Virtual training has begun for the management team. Associates will receive an email notification about Oracle training or direct communication from their leader about training on-site.

Safety Measures in Place

We recently shared the safety measures we have put in place on all DENSO campuses while we’ve been working and staying at home. Below are some of the key measures.

• Limited entry points
• Thermal cameras at each entry along with a health questionnaire
• Reduced seating in common areas and meeting rooms
• Staggered break and lunch times to maintain social distancing
• Floor markers to ensure six feet of separation throughout buildings
• Sanitizer and cleaning materials at entry points and meeting rooms
• Adding barriers/separation in identified areas
• Providing face coverings:  Cloth face masks, paper face masks or face shields

We know you may have some concerns or uncertainty about returning to work at the company. Please talk with your manager and Associate Relations (Team Member Solutions—TMS) about these concerns.

Thank you for your support and your patience.

Customers Say Thank You!

As we prepare to begin serving our customers with new vehicle production in the coming weeks, it’s important to recognize our service/warranty parts associates for their continued, dedicated, essential service.

See the message below from General Motors to our Associates!

As your General Motors Purchasing Champion I very much value the relationship between Denso and General Motors. I wanted to personally thank Denso for the continuous dedication and support to meet our service part requirements during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Although sometimes viewed as an afterthought, service part supply was thrust front and center as an “essential” service during the COVID-19 crisis.  Denso’s ability, with the support of it’s associates, to continue manufacturing and delivering these parts during this uncertain and anxious time helped us to alleviate anxiety of the millions of customers that rely on our vehicles to continue to provide “essential” services elsewhere.

We realize the burden placed on the few called to support the many.  Please share our appreciation with your associates.

Sincerely, Dave Drouillard, Executive Director, General Motors Engine, Transmission & Thermal Purchasing

Supporting Children During COVID-19

To date, we’ve addressed and provided resources for your mental health – today we want to focus on children. This change is a lot for adults to process and deal with – the same is true for children. They hear and see much of what adults do, but may not understand the full meaning of this information, which can cause anxiety and confusion. Following are some resources to help you talk to your children about COVID-19:

• CDC website: Talking with Children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
• How to Talk to Children About COVID-19 (attached)

Stay safe and healthy, both mentally and physically.