November 1, 2021

August 16, 2021

July 15, 2021

July 14, 2021

In this week’s Dos & Don’ts we remind you about the annual ethics and security qualifications training, showcase John Boyd’s Hinge Health story and share how to access a better fitness program, host a Teams meeting for 1,000 people and customize your desktop.

Ethics and Security Training – Annual Qualifications
Our Annual Ethics training is an opportunity to renew our commitment to our company values, our customers, our communities and each other. Beginning in 2021, mandatory Ethics and Security Trainings are now tracked as an annual qualification, due on a four-quarter cycle. For example, if you completed the training on May 25, 2020, your due date this year is June 30, 2021.

This means your training deadline may be approaching. The rolling deadline applies to the following training modules:

• Register for the Travel Safely Webinar on June 4, 2021, from 1 PM – 2 PM CT / 2 PM – 3 PM ET to learn more about what Exelon is doing to mitigate the risk of cyber and physical threats when you travel abroad.
• Review the Foreign Travel Security Policy which includes a revised list of countries with restrictions and information about VPN access for countries that do not pose a high cyber-security risk.
  • In certain international locations, remote access of any kind is strictly prohibited due to heightened security concerns. For those locations, don’t travel with mobile devices equipped with Exelon applications, email and data or any corporate-issued electronic device.
• Notify travelsafely@exeloncorp.com about any international trip, business or personal, where you will require access to the Exelon network with an electronic device.
• Do report lost, stolen or confiscated electronic devices, or suspicious behavior or information while traveling internationally to the Exelon Security Operations Center at +1-800-550-6154 or +1-410-470-5800.

• Visiting Optum’s Mental Health Awareness Month page and read the top five myths about mental illness
• Visiting Mental Health America’s website to learn about mental health conditions and to take a mental health test — one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness
• Visiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website to read the warning signs and symptoms of mental illness

Most importantly, do take time today to check-in on a friend or coworker — not just to see how they’re doing, but also for your own wellbeing.

Getting on Board to Stop Hackers

In the past six months, the frequency of cyber-attacks on Exelon vendors has increased significantly. Cyber criminals are hijacking vendor email exchanges to send phishing emails to Exelon employees and contractors. Even if an email sender seems familiar, do confirm the accuracy of the sender’s information, and ask yourself if you were expecting the email before you click on a link or open an attachment. Do check for misspellings, grammatical errors or requests that seem unusually urgent, and don’t open suspicious attachments. Do think of the red external banner as a sign to stop, think and review information before clicking a link or opening an attachment.

Do register for the Unite To Fight – Do Your Part to Keep Exelon Secure webinar on May 18, 2021, from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CT / 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET to learn more about what Exelon is doing to mitigate the risk of cyber and physical threats and what YOU can do to help keep Exelon secure.
Last month, more than 18,000 employees used the Report Phishing Button. Are you on board?

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In this week’s Dos & Don’ts, you’ll get your questions answered! Whether it’s about vaccines; Exelon Connect; the separation; our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; or how to volunteer outside — we’ve got answers!

Changed Your Mind About Getting Vaccinated?

Do let us know! As the company works to acquire vaccines for employees whenever possible, it’s critical we have the correct data on who wants to be inoculated against COVID-19. So…

Understandably, employees across the company are tired of all the COVID precautions and protocols that have ruled our lives for the last year.

Unfortunately, we can’t let our guard down yet. While some states have relaxed restrictions, the case numbers still show that the virus is not well-controlled, and those relaxed restrictions are not an indication that the COVID health and safety risks are gone.

A Sobering Reality
Yes, vaccines offer some hope. And, yes, the numbers of new infections and death have dropped significantly from their highs a few months ago. The reality, however, is that transmission of the virus remains at similar levels as it was last summer when everyone was on high alert. And, in some cases – including states in the Northeast and Michigan – rates have begun to rise again. The states that are seeing increases also report high incidences of new COVID variants.

The same is true at Exelon – but even more so. The number of employees who are getting sick every week is increasing significantly again, as well the number of employees being hospitalized for COVID (four in the last week, alone).

In this week’s Dos & Don’ts, we feature a vaccine story from a Nuclear colleague, information to assist veterans in getting vaccinated, a new webinar on the challenge of inclusivity in a virtual environment, new opportunities for volunteering outside and the importance of updating your devices to keep them secure.

An Employee's Vaccine Story
Don’t miss our latest testimonial from a colleague who has been vaccinated. Eric Steinberg, senior ops training instructor at the Braidwood nuclear plant in Illinois, shares his experience with both shots and why getting vaccinated was important to him.

In this week’s Dos & Don’ts, we encourage you to check your vaccine eligibility and get registered, learn how to protect yourself from vaccine and tax scammers, and get ready for Exelon Connect!

Don’t Delay; Register Today!

Are you eligible to get the COVID vaccine in your state? Then don’t delay – register today! Be sure to check your state’s eligibility rules because you already may be eligible and don’t know it.

Exelon continues to try to get vaccines for employees and has partnered with Walgreens, Matrix Clinical Solutions and Harness Health to support vaccine procurement and administration to employees. However, the company may not be successful in procuring vaccines in all locations, depending on the vaccine administration approach each state/county is using. Under the current landscape, some states aren’t allowing companies to be distribution points for COVID vaccines. Instead, the states are directing vaccine supply to mass state/county vaccination sites, healthcare providers or pharmacies for administration.

Vaccine supply also continues to be a challenge. So, don’t wait to get the vaccine from the company – do follow your state’s eligibility guidelines and register with your county. Also, try to explore available appointments with as many retail pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and local supermarkets with pharmacies) as possible to increase your chances of being inoculated right away.

A special note for veterans: If you are receiving healthcare through the Veterans Administration (VA), you may be able to be vaccinated through the VA. More information is available at https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/.

Finally, don’t forget you can update your vaccination survey responses and report your vaccination to the company via the dedicated Vax Scene site or by calling 1-877-7EXELON (1-877-739-3566).

Be Aware of COVID-19 Scams & Keep Vaccine Top of Mind

Dear Colleagues,

In this week’s Dos and Don’ts, we feature new guidance from the CDC, an interview with our resident health expert Barb Stevens about vaccines and more!

CDC Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals

As some states change their mask mandates or completely open without any COVID restrictions, you may be wondering if Exelon is changing its PPE practices based on new guidance from the CDC about people who’ve been vaccinated.

For now, the answer is “no.” Exelon safety protocols, including use of PPE, screening, social distancing and cleaning, are not changing at this time. CDC guidance lifting mask and social distancing requirements for fully vaccinated individuals does not apply to workplaces and is limited to contact with one other low-risk household.

In this week’s Dos and Don’ts, we feature a new vaccine story, a reminder about entering our buildings, an opportunity to change your medical and FSA coverage, new separation FAQs and more!

A New First-Person Experience and more Vaccine News

Don’t miss our newest vaccine testimonial from Leah Covington, director Human Resources for BGE. Leah shares her experience both contracting COVID-19, but also getting the vaccination and what it means to her. Do be sure to check out her story!

Also, if you’ve been lucky enough to get the COVID-19 vaccine, don’t forget to let us know on the vaccine reporting page in Service Now, which has been updated to include the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

And, do make sure to safeguard your vaccine verification cards, just like you would any other important document. It may come in handy (or even be required) for travel or other vaccine verification purposes.

Going Somewhere?

Planning to head into an Exelon office? Although buildings are open, do make sure you have a business purpose to be on-site. Don’t forget to follow COVID-19 signage, including those explaining how to enter the building and screen yourself on-site. Do remember to wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) and practice social distancing, including limiting the number of people in elevators. Don’t forget that hand sanitizer and surface wipes are available at all locations. For more information, please review the Responsible Re-entry Webinar. If you are on-site and need PPE, sanitizer or surface wipes, please review this contact list to know who to call.

Temporary Opportunity to Change Plan Elections

Late last year, Congress passed a bill – The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 – that allows plan sponsors, like Exelon, to permit participants to make certain mid-year changes to health care and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans. These temporary changes are intended to allow participants to address unanticipated situations caused by the pandemic.

Do be aware of this temporary opportunity to change some of your elections under the Exelon health care and spending account programs. For instance, you could enroll in medical coverage beginning March 12 or increase or decrease your contributions to a dependent care FSA without regard to a qualifying change of status (such as marriage, birth or adoption). The bill also extends claims deadlines related to 2019 and 2020 health care and dependent care FSA balances. Do read this overview for more details on this temporary opportunity.

Reminder: Check Out the New Separation HR FAQs

Do check out the latest frequently asked questions (FAQs) on human resources and benefits aspects of the company’s separation on our Focus on Our Future intranet site. Do get the answers to important questions, like what happens to the pension plans and what happens to stock in the Employee Savings Plan?

Replacing Symantec Endpoint Protection with Microsoft Defender

Exelon is transitioning from Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) to Microsoft Defender to protect against cyberthreats, such as viruses and malware across email, the cloud and the web. Do take note: from March through June, Microsoft Defender will be enabled on all Windows 10 computers and added to all Windows 7 and Mac computers. A reboot will be required after the installation.

Do be aware that some remote workers may see a pop-up window with a request to connect to the Exelon Network, through the Citrix Gateway VPN, prior to installation. Users who have not installed the VPN yet should do so with these instructions.

Do continue to be vigilant against suspicious emails and calendar invitations. Through our ongoing collective efforts, we can continue to protect Exelon’s critical assets and information.

Tour the New Intranet: Exelon Connect!

Do take a few moments to tour Exelon Connect, which will launch across all OpCos and BSC starting in late March! Don’t forget that with the reimagined intranet, you’ll be able to customize your content, share important stories on LinkedIn, search for the things that matter to you and do it all from your mobile device! Learn more by watching this video.
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This message and any attachments or links are intended for use by Exelon employees and authorized contractors only. Copying, sharing or forwarding confidential information to outside parties is a violation of Exelon’s Code of Business Conduct and the Corporate Acceptable Use Policy, and is strictly prohibited. Before sharing any confidential company information externally, please consult your supervisor or contact Exelon’s Ethics Office at EthicsOffice2@exeloncorp.com.

This week’s Dos & Don’ts provides an overview of the J&J vaccine and the latest guidance on fitness centers, along with some other reminders.

J&J Vaccine Approved!

The FDA has determined the J&J vaccine is safe and effective and has approved it for emergency use (it underwent similar rigorous testing and review as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines). Do know that the FDA has determined that its efficacy rates are well within the range for it to be another important tool in our efforts to end the pandemic. The J&J vaccine is 85 percent effective in preventing severe COVID-19 and 100 percent effective against COVID-19 hospitalization and death.

The J&J COVID-19 Vaccine is just one shot and, similar to the other approved vaccines had some commonly reported side effects, including pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and nausea. Most of these side effects were mild to moderate in severity and lasted 1-2 days.

Don’t hesitate – we encourage employees to get whichever vaccine is available to them first. When Exelon has the opportunity with local jurisdictions to offer employees vaccines, we will be offering the vaccine that is available at that time – Pfizer, Moderna or J&J.

Gyms Remain Closed due to Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) recently traced a COVID-19 outbreak back to a fitness center in Chicago after 68 percent of a class (55out of 81 attendees) contracted the virus. Do take note of this research and ensure you are exercising safely. One key finding of the report is that gym members who were infected were more likely to only wear masks infrequently during classes.

Exelon does not plan to reopen its fitness centers at this time, given that case counts in the U.S. remain high. If you exercise in a gym outside your home, please practice social distancing and don’t neglect to wear your mask at all times.

Exelon Connect – Coming Soon!

Don’t worry – the separation announcement will not affect our upcoming launch of Exelon Connect, the new, personalized intranet experience you’ve been waiting for! We’ll be rolling out the new intranet to each operating company and BSC department over the next several weeks. With the reimagined intranet, you’ll be able to sign-in to the network on your mobile device, making company information safe, secure and accessible. Learn more by watching this video.

ConsumerMedical – Your Medical Ally!

If you’re enrolled in an Exelon medical plan, do look out for a home mailer from ConsumerMedical, Exelon’s new partner for expert medical services. In fact, they may even call you to introduce themselves!

As part of this new, expanded benefit, ConsumerMedical’s expert team of doctors, nurses and researchers can help you:

This week, we're bringing you candid, expert answers about the latest vaccine news, and reminders about where to find the news and FAQs about separation, and the SmartDollar sweepstakes.

Q&A with an Expert: Dr. Lawler Answers Common COVID Vaccine Questions
With two vaccines on the market and several more in the pipeline, questions abound around safety, effectiveness, post-shot symptoms and variant protection. Between sensational media coverage and Internet rumors, expert answers can be hard to come by. Not anymore!

On a recent All Call, ComEd CEO Joe Dominguez posed employees’ most common questions to infectious disease expert Dr. James Lawler, special advisor for health to The Asia Group, Executive Director for International Programs and Innovation for the Global Center for Health Security, as well as the Deputy Medical Director for the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).

Do take some time to listen (by clicking the links below) to Dr. Lawler’s candid answers, some of which might surprise you. Please note: these are audio files only.

In this week's Dos and Don’ts, we answer some new questions about masks and quarantines, remind you about an easy way to help feed the hungry, preview the new intranet and much more!

Masks and Quarantine: New Guidance?

The CDC recently came out with some revised guidance on double-masking and quarantine after getting vaccinated. The following information answers your questions about Exelon’s positions.

This week’s Dos and Don’ts showcases an employee’s experience as a vaccine trial participant, as well as a number of changes coming your way, including a new Ethics Help Line reporting website.

“I Got the Vaccine” – One Employee’s Story

Do you want to know more about what it’s like to get the vaccine? Don’t miss Exelon Power Communications Manager Mark Rodgers’ recounting of his participation in the Moderna Stage 3 Clinical Trial for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Do take a moment to learn more about his experience here.

ExelonAlert Gets a New Email Address

Don’t mistake emails from ExelonAlertNotifications@exeloncorp.com as SPAM. Beginning this week, alert notifications are being sent from that email address, instead of the old address (ESOC@exeloncorp.com).

The ExelonAlert notification system helps keep you are aware of potential security threats or business impacts, and potential precautionary measures you should take to ensure safety and business continuity.

Do update your contact information in the HR Solutions Hub to ensure that you receive these updates. Contact BusinessContinuity@exeloncorp.com with any questions.



Ethics Help Line Gets New Software and a New Look

Do take note that the Ethics Help Line was recently updated and has a new look online. And new software, Ethics Point, is easier to use and helps streamline the reporting process, while continuing to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of those who report potential violations of the Exelon Code of Business Conduct. Don’t worry—you can still make an anonymous report online by clicking the “Report a Concern Online” link on the Compliance and Ethics page in myExelon. The Help Line phone number (1-800-23-ETHIC) remains the same. Don’t hesitate to contact the Ethics Office if you have any questions or would like them to talk to your team about ethics reporting.



Curiosity Caught the Phish

Before clicking a link in an external email, do think of the red external banner as a sign to stop, think and review information before acting. Not all external emails are malicious, but you should always review the email before clicking a link or opening an attachment.

Do be cautious of misspellings or additional characters in an email address and confirm you recognize the sender’s information before clicking a link. Don’t let curiosity get the best of you. Phishing scams rely on emotional triggers like curiosity, urgency, fear, and reward to drive you to action.

This week’s Dos and Don’ts bust some vaccine myths, cover the CDC’s new international travel rules and much more.

This week’s Dos and Don’ts start off with a reminder and useful information about COVID-19 vaccine registration.

Vaccine Survey Reminder and Registration Information

Do remember to take the employee vaccine survey before January 29 to let us know your intention about getting vaccinated. This will help ensure we provide states and counties with accurate numbers, as they allocate doses to various populations, including critical infrastructure workers.

You may receive a targeted email from Exelon (specifically from the ExelonNow HR Solutions Hub or in some cases, your OpCo), including how to register or schedule an appointment when we are notified of vaccine availability in your particular state, county or local government. Exelon is working on several fronts to ensure our employees can get vaccinated as soon as possible, including advocating for priority for our essential workers and exploring possible approaches with large, private health care providers. We will share more information as soon as it’s available.

At the same time, you already may have higher priority in your state or county due to your age or an underlying health condition. Don’t delay! We encourage you to get vaccinated at the first available opportunity.

Do remember to get approval from your manager to receive up to four hours of paid time off to accommodate vaccination appointments during scheduled work hours. If your time off is approved by your manager, you (or a designated timekeeper) should use the “Time-Off with Pay Code” in e-Time. If you experience illness or symptoms following the vaccine, you should contact the Exelon Absence Reporting Line at 1-877-739-3566.

Once you’ve received a dose of the vaccine, please go to the HR Solutions HUB to document receipt after each dose of the vaccine using the Voluntary Disclosure of Receipt form (just type “voluntary disclosure” in the search field). Vaccine information will be treated as confidential employee information and will enable us to better understand the need for additional employee vaccines, as they become available.

Vaccine distribution information continues to evolve rapidly, and we will keep you as up to date as possible. Do check out the Vax Scene webpage for updates and information.

Start the New Year Right with Sharecare and SmartDollar

Let’s kick off the new year right and not let our personal goals fall by the wayside. Do take advantage of the multitude of resources available within the Sharecare platform. From healthy recipes to tips on managing your finances, Sharecare can help you take a more holistic approach to your overall health and financial wellbeing. Do personalize your Sharecare experience by logging into exelon.sharecare.com and clicking “Discover” from the main menu. Then, select “Health Topics.”

During February, SmartDollar, a financial tool within the Sharecare platform, is offering a giveaway sweepstakes to all Sharecare users (not just Exelon). Do sign-in to the SmartDollar platform for a chance to win $250 or $5,000. Every day in February that you log-in is another chance to win!

New Benefit for Healthcare Enrollees: Free Access to Medical Experts

If you haven’t already, do check out ConsumerMedical, Exelon’s new partner for expert medical services. Do look for a home mailer with more information in February. As part of this new, expanded benefit, ConsumerMedical’s expert team of doctors, nurses and researchers can help you:

This week’s Dos and Don’t starts off with a heads up on a required survey on the COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccine Survey Coming Your Way!

Exelon is committed to the safety of our workforce and the communities that we serve. The vaccination of our workforce is an important step in enhancing that safety.

To help state and local governments ensure enough COVID-19 vaccines are available for our employees (non-remote and remote-enabled), all employees will be receiving a very short, but required survey next week. The survey asks for just one answer about your intention to be vaccinated, so don’t delay and complete it right away. The information you provide will be used only for the purpose of notifying or prioritizing employees for vaccine availability and will be stored confidentially per our regular process for maintaining confidential employee records.

We’re all tired of the pandemic, and the more of us who are vaccinated, the quicker it will be over. While getting the vaccine isn’t mandatory, completing the survey is required. Don’t forget: the survey is coming your way next week and must be completed by Friday, January 29!

For more information on the vaccine and FAQs, don’t forget to check out the Vax Scene. webpage on the Exelon Coronavirus Information Center.

Safety and Security are Paramount

Exelon is committed to providing our employees with safe work environments. In most cases, successfully preventing threats to personnel or property starts with understanding how to recognize threats before they escalate.

You are our first line of defense and play a crucial role in helping to secure our people and our assets. Remember, if you see something suspicious, please notify your Supervisor.

In the event of an emergency make the following notifications; in the following order:

Today’s Dos and Don’ts feature a reminder on civil discourse, additional information on vaccines and prioritization, and more.

This week’s Dos and Don’ts provides useful reminders before you head out for the holidays.

Good news continues, with vaccinations already underway in our communities and COVID benefits coverage extended through 2021.

Vax Scene: Progress Marches On!

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) on December 11 granted the first Emergency Use Authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine to Pfizer, the initial shipments have moved to the states and vaccinations of healthcare workers have begun! Do know the quantities available are limited and only will be enough to vaccinate a fraction of front-line health care workers (phase 1a) in the U.S.

Another vaccine, from Moderna, is being reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control’s vaccine advisory council today (December 17), which will provide a recommendation regarding approval for Emergency Use Authorization to the FDA. If then approved by the FDA, more vaccines will be available to inoculate front-line health care workers and other populations (e.g., residents of long-term care facilities) in phase 1a.

Each state is working to determine where and when to vaccinate the next groups of people based on vaccine availability, vaccine type and lessons from the first round of vaccinations. It may be several weeks before we get a better understanding of how and when each state will administer the vaccine to essential critical infrastructure workers, including our field employees.

Wondering if you may qualify as an “essential worker,” and can get the vaccine before the general public? Check out the answer in the Vax Scene section of the Exelon Coronavirus Information Center.

Do keep in mind that the sooner everyone gets vaccinated when it’s available to them, the sooner the pandemic – and all the tragedies and challenges that come with it – will end for us all.

COVID Coverage and Benefits Extended into 2021

At this time, do be aware that Exelon will be extending many COVID-related benefit enhancements into 2021, including:

This week’s Dos & Don’ts answers some questions about a COVID vaccine and includes important information about expense management and more.

Find COVID Vaccine News and Information in “Vax Scene”

Welcome to “Vax Scene,” where we’ll be sharing information about the Coronavirus vaccine and our collective shot at ending the pandemic. We’ll provide regular updates including what we know so far and answering some frequently asked questions. To stay up to date, you can also check our special “Vax Scene” section on the Exelon Coronavirus Information Center.

Today’s update includes information about vaccine progress and answers to some of your questions. While we won’t have answers to everything, we will share important information as soon as it’s available.

Vaccine Progress: Two vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna currently are under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A prime responsibility of the FDA’s highly trained scientists and doctors is to ensure vaccine safety. Each of these vaccines has been testing in clinical trials of at least 30,000 people (44,000 for Pfizer), which have shown that the vaccines are safe and effective. Thirteen other vaccines are in human trials. The FDA also inspects the vaccine manufacturing sites to make sure they comply with current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be monitoring all the recipients of the vaccine to ensure any potential side effects are well understood and communicated.

Learn more about the comprehensive clinical trials that each vaccine must undergo on the Coronavirus Information Center or on the CDC’s website.

You also can find answers to these commonly asked questions in the special “Vax Scene” section of the Exelon Coronavirus Information Center:

Will Exelon require the vaccine?
Should I get the vaccine? How many shots do I have to get?
I’ve already had COVID. Do I need to get the vaccine?
Does the vaccine have side effects?
I’m a field worker. Will I get the vaccine earlier than the general population?
Will Exelon be distributing the vaccine like it does with the flu vaccine?
When will the vaccine be available?
What if I don’t get the vaccine? Will I be disciplined or have any work restrictions?
Will our families be able to get vaccines?

Updates and Enhancements in Expense Management

Although the pandemic has curbed work travel, do take note of the following changes when reconciling or entering expenses in Concur:

We hope you had a chance to relax over the holiday weekend. This week’s Dos & Don’ts kicks off with a COVID update for pet owners and another resource for celebrating the season safely with one of Exelon’s health partners, Sharecare.

Although Rare, Coronavirus can Infect Pets

Recent research has shown that the coronavirus can infect a variety of mammals, including household pets like cats, dogs, hamsters and ferrets, after close contact with a person with COVID-19. Cases are very rare and when pets have contracted the virus, most of them only had a mild case and fully recovered.

Still, how do you protect your pets? Do remain vigilant and encourage everyone in the house to try not to contract the virus by wearing a mask, frequently washing hands, sanitizing high-touch surfaces and practicing social distancing.

Some of these measures can be applied to your pets. Do keep your pets away from other people and pets (social distancing). But, don’t put a mask on your pet, as it could be harmful.

Do treat your pet like a member of your household. If someone in your house gets the virus, limit your pet’s contact with that person, just like you would any other member of the family. If your pet gets sick (is lethargic, refuses to eat, etc.), do take your furry friend to see a veterinarian. If your pet has the virus, limit your contact with your pet (specifically, limit contact between your face and your pet’s face). Learn more at the CDC website.

Celebrating Safely with Sharecare

While holidays and traditions may look a little different this year, don’t overlook celebrating safely and having a joyous season. If you are looking for tips and resources on how to host or gather safely or just need a little bit of inspiration, do follow Sharecare’s Healthy Holidays health topics at exelon.sharecare.com, then navigate to Discover > Health Topics > Healthy Holidays. Example topics include holiday safety, keeping healthy habits, avoiding overindulging, creative recipes, food swaps and more.

Beware Holiday Phishing Scams

Don’t let cyber attackers turn holiday cheer into phishing fear. Be vigilant against holiday phishing scams using holiday eCards, online shopping deals and package delivery notifications to lure victims.

Dear Colleagues,

I know 2020 has been a very difficult year for so many, and I can’t thank you enough for your commitment to our essential work and to your safety, as well as the health and safety of those around you. At the same time, the rapid increase we are currently seeing in infection and hospitalization rates, along with the experts’ outlook for a bad COVID winter, alarms me a great deal and drives the need for all of us to act.

Exelon’s action: We will again postpone the beginning of Phase 1 of the Responsible Re-entry plan until at least Memorial Day (May 31, 2021).

Let me explain how we came to this decision.

Leadership across Exelon has reviewed the criteria we’re using to determine the best time to launch Phase 1. Our considerations include everything from employee absentee numbers and COVID case numbers to rates of infection and hospital capacity in major locations where we operate. As the situation evolves, so must our criteria, plans and process.

Given this data, and the fact that we are seeing such an increase of COVID-19 in states across the U.S. -- and even higher increases in infection rates among employees (nearly all exposures coming from outside work) -- it is in everyone’s best interest to delay the beginning of Phase 1 until later in 2021. The health and safety precautions we’ve implemented at our facilities are effective in preventing the spread of the virus to our employees whose jobs require them to be in the field or working at one of our locations, but it just doesn’t make sense to bring more people in right now, unless there is a critical business need.

Your action: Do everything you can to prevent catching and spreading the virus. If your job requires you to come to a company or field location, it’s up to you to avoid bringing the virus to your workplace. If you’re working remotely, reach out to other remote-enabled workers. We haven’t been together for a long time, and we need to stay in touch, support and encourage each other. Continue to focus on your health, and the health of your family and coworkers. Follow the advice of public health experts: wear a mask and wear it the right way, keep social distance, and avoid large gatherings and other high-risk situations like bars and restaurants. It’s up to all of us to be careful and stay safe!

Leadership Action: By Memorial Day, it will have been more than 14 months since some remote-enabled teams and co-workers have been together. As always, it’s leadership’s job to keep teams informed, engaged and connected, both to the work and to each other. So, we will double down on maintaining that connection with you in every way we can in these very unusual circumstances.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to let you know how grateful the entire Executive Committee and I are for each one of you. You are consummate professionals and demonstrate every day your commitment to your coworkers, customers and communities. Even during this unusual holiday season, I hope you have a chance to reflect on everything for which you are thankful and know how much we appreciate you.

We will get through this together.

Chris

This week’s Dos and Don’ts shares some surprising information on the germiest things you touch, and reminders about taking the Safety Culture Survey, the Employee Giving Campaign and upcoming voting deadlines.

This Week’s Dos and Don’ts: Wondering about Re-entry? Microsoft Edge Update; Verify Your Voter Registration; New Security Game

This week’s Dos and Don’ts is full of important reminders.

Safety Survey Coming Your Way

In case you missed the message from President and CEO Chris Crane, an important Safety Culture Survey is coming your way on Monday, Oct. 5. Do keep an eye out on Monday for a message with the survey link from your OpCo CEO. Don’t miss this anonymous opportunity to share your perspectives on safety at Exelon. The more people who participate, the more information we’ll have to make Exelon an even safer place to work.

Reinvent Lunch and Learn Lessons

Have a great idea about improving a process or even the company, but don’t know how to make it reality? Heard of the Reinvent site, but want to know more? Don’t miss your chance to learn all about it! The Innovation team is holding two, one-hour sessions designed to train new users on how to get the most out of all the great resources and information available on Reinvent, ranging from navigation to how to submit and evaluate ideas. You can also find hundreds of cool ideas submitted by your colleagues across Exelon. Do take advantage of this great opportunity – you can find it by going to the Learning Management System (LMS). Select “Log-in with SSO” and then “Learning” under “My Info.” Once there, enter “Reinvent Beginning Training” in the “Find Learning” search box. Part 1, on October 28 (register by October 23), and Part 2, on November 11 (register by November 6), will be the first two links. Please attend both parts of the training if your schedule allows.

Not Too Late to Step It Up

Exelon’s Step It Up Challenge starts today. It’s not too late to participate. Do register by Oct. 7 if you would like to Step It Up with Exelon during the beautiful fall season. To register, log on to exelon.sharecare.com or visit hrservices.exeloncorp.com > Wellness Program. Once you’ve registered, you can join one of the pre-established teams like the Genco Game Changers or the Lone Adventurers to step with other employees participating on their own. You may also create your own team and invite your coworkers to participate with you. Don’t forget to download the Sharecare App and sync a tracking device after creating your account. For more challenge information, including how to take advantage of the Exelon Fitbit subsidy, review the Exelon Step It Up FAQ.

*Step It Up is available to all U.S.-based employees, excluding temporary employees, part-time employees scheduled to work fewer than 20 hours and employees represented by Locals 1238, 1307 and 1900.

COVID Fatigue is Real

Don’t let COVID fatigue get you down -- or get you sick. We’re all tired of the pandemic and everything that comes with it: masks, missing friends and loved ones, hand sanitizer, etc. But, if you’ve been reading the news, you know that cases of the virus are surging in some states and while plateauing in others, still remain too high. So, do rededicate yourself to staying safe and protecting others, whether at work or at home, by using your PPE, social distancing and washing your hands as often as possible. For more information about these and other actions you can take to avoid the virus, check out the Exelon Coronavirus Information Center.

Dear Colleagues,

While we might not be able to answer all your questions yet, we’ve gathered some of the most common ones and answered them below. In all cases, the safety of our employees and customers is our top priority. As a reminder, you can find information about the three phases here.

We may be tired of the Coronavirus, but it isn’t tired of us. So don’t let down your guard! Several states across the country are experiencing significant spikes in new cases and hospitalizations of patients with COVID-19, reminding us that we do need to continue to be diligent – social distancing while at work and outside our homes, wearing masks while in public places and washing our hands well and often. A number of states – including New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as the cities of Chicago and Philadelphia, are now advising or requiring individuals who travel from COVID-19 hotspots to quarantine upon return.

As essential workers, Exelon employees are exempt from these travel restrictions.
However, non-remote employees traveling to or returning to New York or Chicago from one of the “hotspot” states will need to notify OHS to comply with local requirements. We also strongly advise that you do limit your contact with people outside of your households, avoid non-essential travel and follow all CDC recommendations to prevent contracting the virus. If you have questions about the travel restrictions in your location, please check your state or city website. For information and more tips to stay safe during the pandemic, check out the Exelon Coronavirus Information Center.

Since the pandemic began, Exelon has been working to get reliable COVID-19 tests for our employees, but tests were scarce and mainly prioritized for healthcare workers. Fortunately, while supplies remain somewhat limited, we now have enough tests to establish a company-wide testing protocol for non-remote-enabled employees.

Today’s Dos and Don’ts start with encouragement and a watch out. Do continue your efforts to raise money to help others, but do it in a way that is responsible and adheres to applicable laws.

• Employee safety, public safety and customer service are our highest priorities
• All employees should be confident in their safe return to work

The principles, informed by science; federal, state and local guidelines; as well as feedback from the Responsible Re-entry survey, are driving the Task Force’s three-phased approach. The move to each phase primarily will be driven by business need and the ability to keep employees safe.

Phase 1: Early Re-entry

Today’s Dos and Don’ts – Chock Full of Helpful and Valuable Information

Check out today’s Dos and Don’ts for important information ranging from dealing with the media and testing during quarantine to another crisis care extension, benefits change opportunities and even goats!

Handle the Press with Care

Do you know what to do if a member of the news media reaches out to you via phone, email or social media? Don’t ever talk to reporters off the cuff. Do always contact your Corporate Communications or your operating company communications team. How the media covers Exelon and our family of companies can have significant implications for our business, impacting our reputation, our stock price and our relationships with policymakers, customers and the community. Communications has trained specialists with expertise in how and when to engage with the press. So make sure you leave dealing with the media to the professionals.

Quarantined? Get Tested.

Do be aware that COVID-19 testing now is widely available, and Exelon is planning to use diagnostic testing to help determine the need for and duration of quarantine time based on your symptoms or exposure to someone who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. You may decide not to be tested. However, your eligibility to be paid during quarantine will be conditioned on getting tested and providing any documentation required by OHS. OHS will provide you with all of the necessary testing details.

Crisis Care Ends Aug. 31

Do be aware that the COVID-19 Crisis Care benefit from Bright Horizons (the option to request a $100/day reimbursement for in-home childcare that an employee identifies and uses through their own network) has been extended through Aug. 31 and will end at that time. The benefit also will remain at the 60 days per employee enhanced benefit due to the pandemic through Aug. 31. The COVID-19 Crisis Care benefit is not eligible to reimburse a spouse or other member of your household. Bright Horizons is intended as temporary back-up care only. Once your regular daycare facility/provider or regular summer place of care becomes available, you no longer are eligible for any Bright Horizons benefit. Pre-pandemic benefits will be reinstated Sept. 1.

Temporary Mid-Year Benefits Changes, Extended Deadlines

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, don’t overlook that the U.S. government recently issued guidance extending certain benefit plan deadlines and allowing plan sponsors to make changes to their health care and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans in 2020. This may provide you an opportunity to make changes to certain plan elections before the next open enrollment period. These temporary changes are intended to address unanticipated situations that participants may be experiencing as result of the pandemic. For more details, visit the Benefit Updates Amid COVID-19 scrolling tile on hrservices.exeloncorp.com. Please call Exelon HR Services at 1-877-7EXELON (1-877-739-3566) with any questions.

Get Your Wellness Going

Do remember to sign up with our new wellness vendor Sharecare. To set up your Exelon Sharecare account, go to hrservices.exeloncorp.com and click the Wellness Program tile or visit exelon.sharecare.com/. Once you've created your account, download the Sharecare App on your mobile device. If you've completed a biometric screening in the past, your most recent results will automatically populate the RealAge Test within 12 to 24 hours of your registration to enhance your experience. Don’t forget you are eligible to purchase a discounted Fitbit and receive an extra $40 Exelon subsidy through your Sharecare account, if you didn’t take advantage of the discount last year.

And to Brighten Your Day…Meet the Latest ComEd Goaterns!

Even in the midst of a pandemic, ComEd’s goats are hungry for more! You herd right. The goats are baaaaaack! More than 200 hungry and ambitious goats are returning to ComEd for a second summer to manage vegetation under power lines in Pekin, Ill. Check out their baaaackgrounds and their first Facebook video!

Today’s Dos and Don’ts: Let the Volunteering Begin; Teams is Coming -- Skype is Retiring; Catching Coronavirus Phish

We begin today’s Dos and Don’ts with the good news that volunteer events can start to resume. Beginning immediately, do participate when you can in company volunteer events, which will be permitted with these guidelines:

• The event can have no more than 10 volunteers.  If the state in which the event is held has issued guidelines that dictate fewer than 10 people are allowed at gatherings, that must be followed.  This total includes all people at the event, both Exelon volunteers and those not from the company.  Event managers will need to contact the nonprofit to ensure this guideline is feasible and will be followed.
• Don’t forget that masks and PPE must be worn at all times.
• Other guidelines set forth by Exelon and the state in which the event is held, including social distancing, must be followed.

Click here for more information.

The Future is Teams

We are all connecting through virtual tools more than ever before. Do be aware that Teams is replacing Skype for Business, which is being retired by Microsoft. Teams will change the way we work by giving us a centralized hub for better collaboration, communication and transparency. IT is rolling out Teams in waves by business unit over the next two months.

Do keep your ideas coming as the Innovation Expo 2020 Employee Ideas Contest continues -- the deadline has been extended until this Friday, May 22. Your colleagues have submitted more than 600 ideas -- don’t miss your chance to get yours in! To enter, visit the Reinvent site and enter your idea in your OpCo’s Innovation Expo Employee Ideas campaign.

As some states loosen COVID-19 business restrictions, you may be wondering if Exelon travel policies have changed. Exelon follows CDC guidelines (and applicable state or local orders) for business travel. Here’s an update:

As some states take initial steps to reopen their economies, we want to share with you the latest on Exelon’s plans to bring remote-enabled employees back to company locations and any impact the changing circumstances will have on employees who already report to work locations every day.

We all can agree that the new realities of the pandemic can increase your stress levels. If you’ve been feeling more uptight than usual lately, you’re not alone!

Extends COVID-19 suspension of service disconnects, waiving of new late charges through June 1

Bridget Reidy, EVP and Chief Operations Officer, Exelon BSC, shares how the Operations teams – Information Technology, Security, Supply, Transportation and Real Estate & Facilities – are working around the clock to support you and our company. From sourcing hard-to-find PPE and setting up critical remote-work capabilities to cyber security and sanitization, the Operations teams are helping to ensure you’re safe and supported no matter where you work.

Colleagues,

Colleagues,

Throughout this pandemic, I have been encouraged and inspired by the commitment and resiliency of our employees. Thank you for all you are doing to keep yourselves and others safe and healthy. Here are some ways that we are working to support you and your families.

Thank you for everything you’re doing to support your colleagues, customers and communities as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We wish all our colleagues who are ill a safe recovery.​

Today’s Do’s and Don’ts message starts with an important new information source designed to increase open, transparent communication around COVID-19 cases at Exelon.

Do take a look at a new page in SharePoint online providing information on COVID-19 cases at Exelon, including by operating company. This page also includes a rolling list of Exelon facilities where an employee or contractor with COVID-19 was on site in the last 14 days. This new page is accessible via Exelon network-enabled mobile devices and laptops. However, while it is included as a link on our Coronavirus Information Center, it isn’t posted there to better protect the privacy of the data. Remember we have a protocol in place to alert any employees who may have had close contact with affected individuals. We are all thinking about our affected colleagues and wishing them a quick recovery.

Old Masks are Good Masks (for Personal Use)

You may have seen recently the CDC is considering whether to recommend use of masks (surgical/N95 type) for use by the public. If you still have your circa-2009 Exelon-provided pandemic kit and one or more masks are in good condition, do feel free to use them for personal use. Good condition has been defined by CDC in this FAQ. A helpful resource to assist you with the safe donning and doffing of N95 masks has been provided by the CDC (CDC Mask Video).

Connecting Through Videoconferencing

Do use Skype for Business to organize and run Exelon virtual meetings to help us protect confidential and proprietary company information. Many of you have asked about collaboration tools used by our partners, such as Zoom, GoToMeeting, WebEx, etc. While it’s ok for you to join these sessions when hosted by external groups, don’t use these other collaboration tools to organize Exelon virtual conferences. Click here for more information.

Don't be Fooled

Do be aware of new, very real phishing attacks. You may get an email playing on COVID-19 fears about topics such as:

Masks Available!
Make Sure Your Insurance Covers COVID-19!
Get Your Government Check Faster!

Of course, they all will include a link you need to click or an attachment to open. Don't do it. Do send them to CISS with the "Report Phishing" button.

Keep Innovating, Even in Challenging Times

Have a safety idea for working through the COVID-19 pandemic? Do submit it to a new campaign on Reinvent.

Also, do be aware that the deadline for the Innovation Expo 2020 display contest has been extended by five weeks until May 15. Your colleagues already have submitted more than 60 ideas, so now you have some extra time to get yours in. To enter, visit the Reinvent site and enter your idea on your company’s Innovation Expo Employee Ideas Campaign.

Please rest assured that Exelon is doing all we can to keep you and your families, as well as our customers and communities, healthy and well during this difficult time. We encourage you to check the Exelon Coronavirus Information Center frequently for more important information and updates.

Corporate and Information Security Services (CISS) invites you to test your knowledge and awareness with an interactive game to ensure that you are prepared to combat the recent surge of Coronavirus themed phishing attacks.

First up in today’s Dos and Don’ts message – Do focus on your wellness. These are extraordinary circumstances, and the work you are doing is critical to helping each other and our communities get through these trying times. If you’re feeling extra stressed, do check out our resources in the Exelon Coronavirus Information Center to support your mental, financial and physical wellness.

1. Updated External Email Banners: Corporate & Information Security Services (CISS) continues to focus on raising awareness and providing employees more tools to help reduce the threat of phishing attacks. In response to your feedback, we’ve collaborated with IT to automatically add labels to the body of all messages that originate from external sources, using a high visibility banner.
   
   Effective April 2, most external emails will now be marked with the following banner at the beginning of the message body. The banner is an alert that a message is originating outside of the Exelon network. This does not indicate that the message is malicious, rather, it cautions you to carefully review the email before clicking a link or opening any attachments.
   
   EXTERNAL EMAIL – Do not click links or open attachments from unknown senders or unexpected Email
   
   We know that our employees work with multiple external partners (BeeLine, Concur, Yammer, etc.) who have legitimate reasons to send regular messages to Exelon employees. These enterprise partner emails will be marked with the following banner at the beginning of the message body.
   
   External Email – This originated from an Exelon enterprise-wide business partner. Use appropriate caution if the Email appears unusual
   
   This banner should help you recognize these legitimate external messages. At the same time, although we regularly assess the security controls for our enterprise partners, we still rely on Exelon employees and contractors to stop, think and review anything unusual about these messages.
   
   Remember, when in doubt, click the Report Phishing button to send it to the SPAM Mailbox. Even with these additional efforts, phishing messages continue to be a top security risk and you should always be vigilant about a link or attachment sent from an external source.
   
   
2. Cyber Security Poster: To help remind you to practice phishing awareness, we created a poster with key information. We encourage you to print and post this in your work location or home office using the steps outlined or save it as your background image on your device. Click here to view, save and download the poster.
   
   
3. Printing at Home: To print at home, please follow the instructions in the center column of the Exelon Now homepage to properly connect your home printer to your Exelon device. While printing at home is allowed, it's your responsibility to ensure documents are securely stored and disposed of properly and to be mindful of confidentiality concerns. Please don't forward documents to a personal email or device. Home printing is only available when using Citrix or when disconnected from the Exelon network/VPN. 

The Exelon Foundation, along with ComEd and Exelon Generation, today announced a $2 million donation to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund to help Illinois residents impacted by the pandemic. This donation adds to the more than $1.15 million Exelon Corp. and its family of companies previously donated to national and local relief organizations in the communities they serve. Previous donations include $250,000 to the United Way of Metro Chicago and the Chicago Community Trust’s COVID-19 Response Fund to support their efforts to provide essential services during the pandemic.

CHICAGO (March 23, 2020) – As the state of Illinois works to comply with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order, ComEd is taking additional steps to help ensure all its residential customers across northern Illinois have access to electric service during this critical time. To support all people, including school children, who are now at home during the day, ComEd will work with residents whose service was disconnected prior to the company’s March 13 suspension of service disconnections to have service restored and help ensure access to safe and healthy environments.

Colleagues, This afternoon Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that he is issuing a stay-at-home order for the entire state, effective at 5 p.m. on Saturday and continuing until April 7 in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. This order requires all Illinois residents not providing essential services to stay at home as much as possible. Exceptions include going to the grocery store, visiting medical professionals and picking up medicine.

In coordination with work being led by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to protect Illinoisans, ComEd is taking action to help its customers with payment assistance programs and by imposing a moratorium on service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1, as many businesses and institutions are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by taking temporary measures to shut down or limit operations to control the spread of COVID-19.