Day One Guide - Integration
Stronger together. The new ICON.
FAQs.
Each Integration Workstream will be fielding questions and providing answers in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. Prior to July 12, please refer to the Day One Guide.
Please check this page regularly to view FAQs from Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities, Finance, Sales & Marketing, Quality & Compliance, and Procurement.
What is the address of our corporate headquarters?
ICON corporate headquarters is located at ICON Clinical Research, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin, D18X5R3, Ireland.
Will we change the signs on all PRA buildings?
Yes, but in a phased approach at a later date. A rebranding review, which includes our facilities signage, will determine if and when there will be any changes to our buildings and office spaces.
Will PRA staff receive new branded ID badges?
Yes, however exact timings will vary across offices. Current PRA ID badges will remain active on Day One until further notice from the facilities team.
How will I know if my work location is changing?
Location changes will be announced and managed in collaboration with the facilities and HR teams. Any changes will be communicated well in advance of the moves and will follow local legal requirements.
Will the Flexible Working Policy change?
Where a specific office-based role allows, and in agreement with their manager, office-based employees will have the option to work from home for up to 40% of their contractual weekly schedule, with at least 60% of their contractual weekly schedule in the office location.
Will there be any changes to how I book travel?
There will be no immediate changes to how you book travel on Day 1 and arrangements should be made by the same process. 2
Will the name of the company on my pay slip remain the same?
There will be no change on Day One to the name of legal entity or employer reflected on your pay slip.
How can I add an approver to a project?
There will be no changes on Day One. Please continue to leverage the same approval process.
If I have a question about my expense report who do I contact?
There will be no change to the current process, continue to follow the same process for inquiries as you did before Day One.
Will there be any change to the VAT or EORI (import/export) numbers?
There will be no change.
What will be the process for Capex Approval?
The Capex Approval limits will be explained in the new Spending and Authorisation Matrix:
- o Legacy ICON employees will be able to find the policy and limits on the MYICON\Financial Reporting Homepage in the current location.
- o A targeted legacy PRA distribution list will receive the policy and limits for Day One
Will my benefits change on Day One?
Your benefits will not change on Day One, and you will remain enrolled in your current benefits plans.
Will my years of service be adjusted?
Your years of service, as currently recognised by ICON or PRA, will continue to be recognised by the combined business in the same manner as it was prior to the acquisition.
When will changes to performance management be communicated?
Your performance rating methodology and criteria will not change for the 2021 performance year. Any performance methodology and criteria changes to the 2022 performance year will be communicated in advance of the 2022 performance year.
Will 2021 bonus payment timing change post Day One?
2021 bonus eligibility will be calculated following the same or currently existing methodology and paid no later than what’s stipulated in your bonus plan (e.g., March / April 2022). Bonuses payment are discretionary and accrued in line with revenue and profit each quarter.
How do I apply for a position internally?
There are two separate processes for applying for a role internally:
1) Roles within your legacy organisation: You will continue to follow the same process you use today and apply through the internal career sites.
2) Roles across legacy organisations: You will apply to roles across the two legacy companies through the new microsite starting on Day One (see ICON: https://www.iconplc.com/careers/; DOCS: https://www.iconplc.com/services/functional-services-provision/careers/index.xml?__toolbar=1; PRA: https://prahs.com/careers
Who is my new HR contact?
You will continue to use your legacy-organisation’s HR business partners, processes, and systems for all HR matters. If there are any changes to your HR contact, you will be notified.
Are there any specific requirements I must complete as a result of the acquisition?
Legacy PRA colleagues are required to complete the “ICON Global Ethics & Compliance Training” course, and Employee Acknowledgement for applicable ICON policies, via Cornerstone within 60 calendar days of the merger date.
Both legacy PRA and legacy ICON employees are required to complete “PRA and ICON Integration Information Security Awareness Training” course, via their respective learning management systems (Cornerstone or iLearn) within 30 days of training assignment date. For most employees, this course is due prior to the merger date.
How do I change my withholdings, bank account information, address, etc. following the acquisition?
You will continue to use the same systems and process that you used prior to the acquisition to make these updates.
Will I keep my current computer?
Yes, you will keep your current computers, monitors, printers, etc.
Which Service Desk do I call for assistance?
On Day One, you will call the same service desk you did before Day One.
Will I keep my current business mobile devices and office phone?
Yes, you will keep your current mobile devices and office phone.
What changes are expected to Compliance and Ethics policies?
As of Day One, ICON’s Global Code of Ethical Conduct, Speak Up Policy, Global Anti-Corruption Compliance Policy, Global Policy on Interactions with Healthcare Providers, and Share Trading Policy will apply to all legacy PRA employees. The PRA Code of Conduct and the PRA compliance policies corresponding to the ICON policies listed above will be retired. Legacy PRA employees will continue to follow all other PRA policies and procedures until otherwise notified.
How are the ICON compliance policies different from the legacy PRA compliance policies that are being retired?
There are no material differences between the expectations established in the ICON Code of Ethical Conduct and the specified ICON compliance policies and the legacy PRA policies they are replacing. The main changes will be around where to go with approvals, questions and reports.
How will employees learn about the ICON Code of Ethical Conduct and identified compliance policies?
Legacy PRA employees will be required to complete a 30-minute interactive training course covering important elements of the ICON Code of Ethical Conduct and the identified compliance policies. Legacy ICON employees will be required to take refresher training on the ICON Code of Ethical Conduct in the coming weeks.
Where can legacy PRA employees find the ICON policies that apply to them?
ICON policies that apply to PRA employees are available in Veeva Vault.
Where should I go if I have compliance-related questions or if I want to report misconduct?
A5: ICON’s Speak Up Policy describes a number of channels for questions and concerns including the Legal Compliance and Ethics Team, HR, Quality & Compliance and the Data Privacy Office. Alternatively, you may report a concern or ask a question via corporatecomplianceoffice@prahs.com, legalcompliance@iconplc.com, or by contacting the ICON Ethics Line.
What is the ICON Ethics Line?
The Ethics Line is a confidential channel through which you can ask questions and report concerns online or by phone about ethics, compliance or ICON’s Code of Ethical Conduct and related policies. The Ethics Line is administered by an independent company (NAVEX Global), is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can accommodate calls in more than 75 languages.
How do I contact the Ethics Line?
You may contact the Ethics Line web portal via this link. Information regarding how to make a report by phone or online is provided on the portal.
What are the branding impacts on PRA Health Sciences entities and sub-brands?
ICON operates a masterbrand strategy which supports greater market awareness and cross-selling of services within accounts. Consistent with this strategy, all PRA-branded businesses will be adopting the ICON brand. Further investigation and discussion on specific sub brands (e.g., Symphony) are planned for post Day One, with specific recommendations to be made at a future date.
Does the move to the ICON brand have an immediate impact on existing PRA agreements or contracts?
No. Legal agreements are signed on behalf of a specific legal entity and there will be no immediate impact to the PRA legal entities as a result of this brand transition. PRA legal entities will continue in existence as separate legal entities within the ICON group of companies and continue to hold all existing contracts (master agreements, work orders/task orders, vendor agreements etc.), laboratory licenses, permits and approvals in the legal entity name, unless the legal department otherwise advises. Laboratory reports continue to be issued under the appropriate contracted legal entity name in accordance with existing laboratory licenses.
Note that it is common for large global organisations to have numerous legal entities under a variety of names, for example country specific, business unit, legacy acquisitions etc. but to operate under a single global brand identity.
How will contracting changes be communicated to clients and vendors?
There will be minimal disruption to existing contracts post Day 1. In limited circumstances where an existing contract is modified, the modification will be addressed with the specific client or vendor on an individual, as needed basis. There are no planned contracts-related communications for a broad client or vendor audience.
How do I report a potential corporate or commercial claim against the company?
If you become aware of a potential corporate or commercial claim you should notify the corporate insurance group as soon as reasonably practicable once you are on notice of circumstances which may give rise to a claim. Reports may be made via ICON_Insurance@iconplc.com (legacy ICON operations), or PRAInsurance@prahs.com (legacy PRA operations). Examples of matters that should be reported include but are not limited to (1) a compliant by a client that the company did not meet contract requirements, (2) a financial loss suffered by a client because of services provided, and (3) a legal suit brought against a PRA executive claiming that s/he did not meet their duty of care.
How do I report a potential claim regarding an employee illness or injury sustained in connection with their employment?
If you become aware of circumstances in which an employee has sustained a work-related illness or injury, you must notify the corporate insurance group as soon as reasonably practicable. Reports may be made via ICON_Insurance@iconplc.com (legacy ICON employees), or PRAHEAR@prahsc.com (legacy PRA employees). Examples of matters that should be reported include, but are not limited to, any injury or illness that occurs while an employee is working such as a slip, trip, full, muscle strain, vehicle accident, or a repetitive motion injury.
How are new Vendors onboarded on Day One?
On Day One, new vendors will follow ICON Process via SMP. PRA requests will be entered into the SMP by ICON staff until access is available.
What should I do if I know the Vendor I want to use but need to check the vendor is approved?
Legacy ICON: Check SMP to see if Vendor is approved for the service you are looking for.
Legacy PRA: Check the approved Vendor List on InsidePRA Clinical Vendor Management page to see if Vendor is approved for the service you are looking for.
What should I do if the vendor I’m looking for is on the approved supplier list for the service I require?
You can proceed as normal.
What should I do if the vendor I’m looking for isn’t there or isn’t approved for the service I require?
Legacy ICON: Email procurement to check PRA approved supplier list using the following mailbox VendorIntegrationQueries@iconplc.com
Legacy PRA: Email procurement to check ICON approved supplier list using the following mailbox VendorIntegrationQueries@iconplc.com
What should I do if the vendor is approved for the service required on the opposite company’s list?
A5. Legacy ICON: Procurement provides Requestor with approval and appropriate MSA to contract under. When requesting a vendor quote please inform the vendor which MSA you are working under.
Legacy PRA: Contact vendor management with vendor name and requested services.
What should I do if the vendor is not approved on either list?
Legacy ICON: Procurement confirms vendor will need to be onboarded and asks requestor to submit a request for new vendor via SMP. The requestor provides the cost center number and cost center approver name to approve the cost of qualification as per the existing SMP process.
Legacy PRA: Procurement confirms vendor will need to be onboarded and requests details required for ICON’s SMP. Requester completes the email form (found on InsidePRA Clinical Vendor Management page) and submits to ICON Process and Infrastructure team for entry into the ICON SMP using the NewVendorRequests@iconplc.com mailbox. Approval process then follows system (see Vendor QA process presentation for details available upon request)
What should I do if I’m not sure what Vendor I should use for a service?
Legacy ICON: Check the SMP first and if you have any questions email procurement
Legacy PRA: Check the approved vendor list first (InsidePRA Clinical Vendor Management page) and if you have any questions email procurement
What should I do if I have an SOW with an approved vendor but need to add an additional service?
Legacy ICON: Check SMP (if SOW with ICON approved vendor) to see if Vendor is approved for the service you are looking for or ask procurement to check PRA approved vendor list (if SOW with PRA approved vendor). If the service isn’t approved or you are not sure email Procurement for assistance.
Legacy PRA: Check PRA approved vendor list (if SOW with PRA approved vendor) to see if Vendor is approved for the service you are looking for or ask procurement to check ICON approved vendor list (if SOW with ICON approved vendor). If the service isn’t approved or you are not sure email Procurement for assistance.
What company name should I use when entering Master Supplier Agreements (MSAs)?
ICON Clinical Research Limited will be the preferred contracting entity for new / amended and renewed vendor MSAs.
What company name should I use when entering new Vendor SOWs?
For costs that are charged to Sponsors, it is important that work orders, whether raised under the terms of a legacy PRA or legacy ICON MSAs, are raised by entities within the same legacy organisation that holds the Sponsor contract that the cost relates to.
(i.e. if PRA US holds the work order with the sponsor, the related vendor cost for that project should be incurred by a PRA entity and so the work order specific to the project should be with a PRA entity)
This is to ensure that these costs can be tracked, reported and where relevant, billed to sponsors in line with existing processes and that change for the customer is minimized.
This means that if ICON is using a legacy PRA MSA or vice versa, that doesn’t correspond to the Sponsor Contract, the MSA needs to have affiliate language to allow the correct entity to enter into the agreement or the MSA needs to be amended prior to the SOW being signed.
For SG&A and other indirect support costs, there is a preference that material work orders for these costs will be executed from ICON Clinical Research Limited over time. As there will be an instance of ICON Clinical Research Limited in both Lawson and Oracle Financials, this should be possible. Further details on this will follow once approval processes are confirmed.
Do I need to change the company name on existing Vendor SOWs or COs?
No, existing work orders and change orders should not change.
Who are RFPs submitted to moving forward?
Whilst integration discussions on RFI and RFP triage and decision processes will result in an aligned process within BD form Day One, these updated processes are not impacted by the brand change. Separate communications will be sent post Day One within BD on these updated processes.