Worcester Business Journal

18 Worcester Business Journal | Janurary 10, 2022 | wbjournal.com B E S T O F B U S I N E S S B E S T P A N D E M I C C O W O R K E R S Best Pandemic Coworkers R ather than a return to the office and pre-corona- virus normalcy in 2021, companies and workers across Central Massachusetts got more of the same from the first year of the pandemic, and 2022 is shaping up to start off much the same way. e bright side for those workers who have been relegated to remote offices and work-from-home hybrid models is more time spent with families and pets who typically only get mo- ments together aer hours. For the second year in a row, WBJ honors these pandemic coworkers who have made a volatile situation a little bit more enjoyable, while bringing smiles to our faces. BEST PAIR OF POOCHES Kylo and Penelope Kylo's role: Troublemaker Penelope's role: Sweetheart Start date: March 2020 (Kylo) and June 2020 (Penelope) Primary coworker: Lindsay Gagnon Company: Fallon Health, in Worcester Company website: www.fchp.org What are Kylo & Penelope 's main re- sponsibilities at Fallon? Counter surfing and causing trouble while I am on Zoom meetings, sleeping on mom's feet, and shredding important papers. What are Kylo & Penelope's favorite non-work things to do? Kylo and Pe- nelope love to take walks and play fetch in the yard. In the summer they enjoy swim- ming in the lake, boat rides and vacations at the Cape. What makes Kylo & Penelope the best coworkers in Central Mass? They always put a smile on my face. Whether they are keeping me company or getting into trouble, they always make the day entertaining. How have Kylo & Penelope made the coronavirus pandemic a little easier? They are great at relieving stress, make great company, and always keep me active. Kylo & Penelope bring chaos & cuddles to the home office BY SLOANE M. PERRON WBJ Staff Writer L indsay Gagnon has experienced some unique workplace changes since the coronavirus pandemic gave her the opportunity to work from home. As an account and provider configuration analyst for Worcester insurer Fallon Health, Gagnon quickly realized her new at-home coworkers were very lazy and always trying to hog the screen during Zoom meetings. While they may not be the most productive members of her team, Gagnon's two English labradors, Kylo and Penelope, are certainly the cutest! Kylo is a 2-year-old, charcoal black lab whose mischievous nature matches the Star Wars-inspired name Gagnon's boyfriend, Spiros Kaperonis, bestowed upon him. Described as a mama's boy, Kylo is known to steal towels from the kitchen and try to squeeze his 110-pound body under Gagnon's chair if she does not give him enough attention. "He is a bull in a china closet," Gagnon said about Kylo. Penelope is younger, but the 1-year old yellow lab is a sweetheart and cuddler. Her kind temperament balances out the chaotic energy of her older brother. e two dogs love the attention of Gagnon and Kaperonis so much they constantly follow them around the house, even into bed. As a result, the couple had to buy a California Queen bed just to accommodate their massive fur babies. "I love them to death. ey are like my kids," Gagnon said about her furry coworkers. Kylo and Penelope are constant companions who add a bit of brightness during Gagnon's work-from-home days. When the dogs are not trying to snuggle or grab Gagnon's attention, they enjoy the outdoors. Summer is the pooches' favorite time of year. e dog's love to swim in the lake behind Gagnon's home and even catch a ride on the couple's boat during hot summer days. ese pandemic coworkers especially love road trips to Cape Cod during their annual vacation to Truro. Whether it is providing laughs and smiles during the work week, or getting ready for adventure on road trips and vacations, Kylo and Penelope are certainly some of the best work-from- home coworkers to have around! (From left) Kylo, Spiros Kaperonis, Lindsay Gagnon, and Penelope W

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