Eli Lilly Announces a Return to Work for Office Employees

INDIANAPOLIS--Eli Lilly was one of the first Hoosier companies to send its office workers home at the beginning of the pandemic. That company announced plans Monday morning for those workers to come back to its downtown Indianapolis headquarters and other Lilly facilities around the world.

“So, on June 1, we’ll begin opening our downtown offices…inviting 25 percent of our office-based workforce for the month of June,” said CEO David A. Ricks. He said the decision is based on science and data rates, and could change if the COVID decline does.

LISTEN: Lilly CEO David Ricks explains why Lilly’s return could be a sign of normalcy.

“Barring any unforeseen change in the case rates…we will open our campus to all employees on July 12.”

All returning employees must be vaccinated, must mask up and must follow distancing guidelines.

Lilly sent employees home earlier than most companies, based on what they were learning in their facilities in China and other parts of the world where COVID had already been spreading.

But, the return may also be a signal for better days ahead for downtown Indianapolis, which spent much of the pandemic largely vacant of office workers.

“Like most of you, we’re looking forward to seeing downtown Indianapolis thrive again, as more people return to their offices, shops and restaurants,” said Ricks.

He added that while he expects most of Lilly’s workers to be part of that return, the company would also offer more flexibility than before, based on what they’ve learned about the capabilities of workers operating in remoted work situations.

He also encouraged all Hoosiers to get vaccinated.