Dear Associate,
The severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global and regional economy, along with stay-at-home orders and other negative market factors, have caused sales of our products to fall drastically. With our business severely impacted, we continue to face extreme financial distress throughout our business operations.
In response to the current economic situation, we have taken a series of difficult measures to reduce costs and minimize the long-term impact to the viability of Honda. Last week we announced an extended schedule of No Work Available (NWA) days for non-exempt production associates, and shared federal and state income replacement programs that are available. Today we have communicated that we must adopt a similar approach for the majority of our exempt, salaried and non-exempt associates that will be on furlough through May 1.
Between April 19, 2020 and May 2, 2020, Honda will reduce our business activities to minimum levels and furlough the majority of our exempt, salaried and non-exempt associates during this period.
Your position is included in this furlough. Your last working day prior to the furlough will be Friday, April 17, 2020. Your employment is not being ended and you will continue to receive Honda benefits. You remain a valued part of our team.
This unprecedented action is something that needs to happen to help Honda survive this crisis and everyone is sharing in the responsibility to ensure Honda’s sustainability.
You are scheduled to return on Monday, May 4. If this schedule changes, we will promptly communicate to you.
Directions:
It is very important that you and all furloughed associates not perform any Honda work after April 17 or before May 4. This includes checking e-mail or voicemail, answering work-related calls, or performing any other work functions during this time. If an urgent work-matter arises, contact your Department Manager for approval before performing any work.
Please share with your manager any work that cannot wait until your return (this includes contact information for key customers / vendors).
Before the end of the day on April 17, please provide your department manager with a detailed list of any outstanding projects that need to be completed before your return to work.
Please set-up an out of office notification on your email, and your work voicemail, including desk phones and/or company provided cell phones). State that you will be unavailable during this time and identify an alternate contact or your department manager.
Additional Resources and Support:
Information about our state’s unemployment process is available on Honda Web. It includes information about the application process and frequently asked questions. Questions about unemployment should be addressed to the state unemployment office.
Honda has also established a hotline to answer Honda-specific questions. You can reach Honda’s HR Hotline at 877-809-0051 or by email at hrhotline@hna.honda.com.
You are a valued member of the Honda team and we greatly appreciate the shared responsibility you are undertaking to help Honda through this challenging and difficult time.