For Derek Wilson, 2020 has been a year defined by agility and resiliency, as his team at Johnson & Johnson completed the implementation of a new global contingent labor strategy and ensured the safety, health and well-being of the company’s 20,000-plus contingent workers during the pandemic.

Over the past three years, Wilson has transformed the way the company acquires contingent labor talent, expanding the company’s Worksense contingent labor program to 56 countries from 41, while also accelerating speed to hire, improving compliance with corporate policies and enhancing the focus on quality.

Wilson engaged a core set of global suppliers while also establishing new direct sourcing programs in North America and EMEA in close partnership with Johnson & Johnson Talent Acquisition, with a focus on high-demand STEM skillsets.

Conditions in China prompted Wilson in January to begin global continuity planning for Covid-19 with Worksense. Wilson partnered with senior leaders across the company to fund a defined period of paid sick/absence leave for contingent workers in March where allowable. The company also recognized eligible essential contingent workers with a special hero bonus.

Moving forward, Wilson plans to continue to advance a more inclusive and agile workforce to help Johnson & Johnson fulfill its mission of blending heart, science and ingenuity to change the trajectory of health for humanity.