Cisco is elevating contingent workforce management by moving to C-Worker Connect.
Cisco continues to optimize and evolve, delivering business value through its relationships with customers, partners, and suppliers.
C-Worker Connect—a modernized contingent workforce approach that streamlines the process of getting the right talent at the right time in a simpler, smarter, and safer way—is a key enterprise program in fiscal year 2024 (FY24). This revamp of Cisco's enterprise-wide contingent worker transactional landscape focuses on standardizing processes and technology, limiting workarounds, and provisioning access to drive consistency.
The deployment started in September 2023 with our Security and Collaboration business units.
If you are an existing supplier that provides contingent workforce services to Cisco, we look forward to taking this journey with you.
Suppliers will operate in their current vendor management systems until their C-Worker Connect go-live dates, as dictated by the business-function transactions. This may result in suppliers' operating in multiple systems temporarily.
Suppliers will use C-Worker Connect for all contingent workforce-related transactions after it goes live.
Single vendor management system for all contingent worker transactions: C-Worker Connect will standardize C-Worker transactions into a single enterprise platform. All Request for Proposals (RFPs), Statement of Works (SOWs), and Job Postings (JPs) will be transacted through the C-Worker Connect system once each organization across Cisco goes live.
Account set up: For suppliers who were not part of previous go-lives, a welcome message will be sent to the admin contact we have on file with an ask to set up C-Worker Connect accounts and add any additional users as required for entities that provide contingent workforce services to Cisco. If suppliers want to modify their admin contacts, please reach out for support (details available below).
Access-only (previously onboard-only) engagements: Access-only transactions will be initiated by suppliers through Resource Tracking (RT) Requests (as opposed to through SOWs). For more information, please review the Resource Tracking (RT) Request guide located in the help drop-down within the system.
Background check provider: Suppliers must register for a HireRight account. This is required as the sole background check provider for Cisco (the account registration process can take 3-5 business days).
Resource assignment: Cisco suppliers must assign resources associated with C-Worker Connect transaction(s) once SOWs are fully approved as data migration will not occur automatically from Fieldglass. Existing active resources will be able to bypass the background check and NDA requirements (see guidance in the Beeline help dropdown once logged into the system).
Worker access: Active contingent workers in C-Worker Connect will lose access to Cisco's systems within 24 hours of the contract end date.
Work location: If contingent workers require building/campus access, suppliers must select a physical/work location in C-Worker Connect; suppliers should select the appropriate “Offsite” option from the drop-down menu for remote workers.
Engagement categories: Engagement categories now include: Staff Augmentation, Access Only (formerly Onboard-Only), Managed Services, and Managed Projects, with twelve engagement types, compared to just three categories in the past.
Invoicing: Supplier invoices will continue to be processed and paid as is done today.
Suppliers providing workforce services to Cisco will go live across business units and functions in a phased approach and timeline through August 2024. We will reach out in advance of the go live dates to provide additional information. Timing is subject to change.
Security
Collaboration
Legal
World Wide Sales
People, Policy, & Purpose
Corporate Communications
Marketing
Cisco IT
Customer Partner Experience (CPX)
Cisco Customer Experience (CX)
Cisco Security and Trust Organization
Supply Chain Operations
Commerce and Lifestyle Operations
Cisco Networking
Common Hardware Group (CHG)
Applications
Finance
To transact with Cisco in the C-Worker Connect system, suppliers will need to complete the following actions:
Check email for important updates.
Sign the Cisco program agreement.
Register for a HireRight account unless already registered. This step is required, as HireRight is the sole background check provider for Cisco. New account registration can take 3–5 business days. Note: Hire Right company codes should be shared using the form shared via email.
Log in to the C-Worker Connect system after receiving the welcome email.
*See the next section of this site for critical steps for onboarding contingent workers successfully in the new system and provide access to Cisco networks and systems.
When SOWs are fully approved and appear as a Project in C-Worker Connect, suppliers must add their resources to projects. If resources are not tagged to projects within two weeks of their creation, contingent workers may experience Cisco network and building access issues.
To complete contingent worker onboarding successfully, suppliers should reference the quick reference guides ‘Add Non-Billable Resources to a Project’ and ‘Add Billable Resources to a Project’ located in the help dropdown in C-Worker Connect.
Existing contingent workers can bypass the background check and NDA requirements. See quick reference guides, ‘Bypass background check for active/existing workers’ & ‘Complete non-disclosure agreement,’ located in the help dropdown in C-Worker Connect.
Non-billable resources should be used for SOWs where payment is fixed based on deliverables. Billable resources should only be added for projects with timesheet-based work (i.e., time & materials, managed capacity, select agile projects).
For additional guidance, suppliers can reach out to for support using the supplier portal.
Once suppliers go live in C-Worker Connect, they can access a library of system training resources and information using the ‘'Help’' drop-down menu in the system.
If support is needed, suppliers with existing Cisco network access, can access the HelpZone.
Suppliers that do not have Cisco network access can request support using the Supplier Support Portal. Supplier Support Portal access requires a one-time registration to generate a Cisco ID.
Videos explaining how to navigate the system, including the dashboard, reporting capabilities, and important actions for admins
Dashboard navigation (5:00)
Reporting overview (9:05)
Admin actions (4:28)
Videos about submitting resources and candidates to projects, including managing their time and expense
Add worker to Project (7:27)
Accept/reject interview (3:35)
Accept/reject offer (2:25)
Initiate background checks (2:28)
Complete background checks (3:17)
Submit timesheet (5:06)
Submit expense (4:58)
Training is available for managing assignments and projects, responding to bids, and scheduling milestones for payment.
Assignment management (6:05)
Review and reply to bid (9:21)
Accept/edit SOW (8:52)
For quick reference guides and step-by-step guidance, click 'Quick Reference Guides' located in the 'Help' drop-down menu after logging in to the system.
Log in to C-Worker Connect and system access
How to use simple and advanced searches
Impersonate a user
View a request
Add a new supplier user
Deactivate or reactivate user
Reset passwords
Negotiate SOW
Create a post in the Bid Q&A Forum
Respond to bid
ROW end-to-end process for milestone
Submit a candidate
Add billable resource to project
Add non-billable resource to project
Enter expenses for a contract worker
Enter time for contract worker
Withdraw a submitted candidate
HireRight supplier guide
Background package details
Adjudication guide
A: At Cisco, we cut through layers of complexity and simplify technology for everyone, everywhere, and at every scale. The C-Worker Connect program follows consistent procedures and standards and uses a new vendor management system to create a simpler, smarter, and safer way to procure and manage contingent workers.
A: The C-Worker Connect program will equip us with the processes, policy, and technology to procure the right talent for the right roles. This program will produce significant and lasting benefits for our suppliers, including:
Simplified and standardized processes
A single, standardized system across the enterprise
An automation-first approach
Integrated compliance for all parties
A: With the introduction of four categories of contingent workers, we have updated some terms and conditions relating to our provisioning access for each category. These updates will help to ensure that work gets done conveniently and swiftly and that we can reduce turnaround times for lengthy processes. Changes include:
Improved efficiencies
The collective ability to access top talent will be faster and more efficient.
An industry-leading vendor management system
The C-Worker Connect system will be a key enabler of this program.
Standardized categorization of workers
Contingent workers will now be categorized across 12 engagement types as staff augmentation, access only, managed services, or managed projects.
Swift off-boarding
Contingent workers' access to Cisco platforms will be terminated promptly at the end of their engagements.
A: C-Worker Connect will streamline and standardize processes into a single enterprise platform and consolidate the functionality of multiple systems. Contingent worker transactions began transitioning to the C-Worker Connect system on September 10, 2023, with the Security and Collaboration business unit. The C-Worker Connect system will replace other vendor management systems completely after August 2024.
A: If suppliers have ongoing work for multiple businesses units across Cisco throughout the phased deployment, they will be operating in existing systems and C-Worker Connect simultaneously. After the transition is completed in 2024 for all business units at Cisco, existing systems will be decommissioned, and all contracts will flow through C-Worker Connect.
A:
Argentina
Australia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Costa Rica
Czechia
Denmark
Egypt
El Salvador
Finland
France
Germany
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Pakistan
Panama
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
A: For engagements running their course in current systems, the existing 15-day grace period will apply. When engagements are entered into C-Worker Connect, contingent workers will lose access within 24 hours of the contract end date. There is no longer a 15-day grace period for the contingent workers once the contract is entered in C-Worker Connect.
A: Yes, the change will affect all transactions in the countries that are included in the go-live.
A: The transition to C-Worker Connect won't change existing, supplier-specific laptop- provisioning arrangements.
Staff augmentation
When contingent workers supplement current staffing with additional bandwidth or expertise for a short time
Managed projects
When suppliers provide outcomes related to the planning or execution of projects for a short time
Managed services
When suppliers deliver recurring outcomes where business needs typically go beyond the length of an outsourcing agreement
Access-only
When contingent workers are not procured as indirect contingent workforce services but need system or building access
A: Suppliers are required to deliver skills based on training; Cisco will train on specific processes and/or products only and when training is necessary for workers to effectively perform within their engagements.
A: Yes; Cisco will no longer allow for extensions of staff augmentation engagements once transactions are approved in the C-Worker Connect system.
A: Invoices will be processed based on the payment schedule established in each SOW.
A: Suppliers can 'Search Reports' from the dropdown at the top right of the screen after logging in. From there, suppliers can select an engagement and then search using the 'Specific Invoice Number Field.' Select the 'Invoice' checkbox and select 'OK.' From there, select 'Create Report.' Once the report is generated, use the 'Milestone Name/Number and Payment Name' to find the associated supplier invoice.
A: Suppliers need to add workers/resources for engagements that are currently in existing vendor management systems into C-Worker Connect. It is highly recommended that suppliers add resources to their 'Resource Pool' for any anticipated engagements as well, as workers need to be assigned to projects as their contracts end in existing systems to help ensure contingent workers retain their Cisco access. Suppliers should prioritize engagements for contracts in C-Worker Connect aligned to the business units per the deployment schedule.
A: Suppliers can add resources to their resource pool before SOWs are available. This will help ensure that resources can be assigned to projects as soon as their SOWs are made available to suppliers.
A: Suppliers need to register for a HireRight account to initiate background checks in the C-Worker Connect system itself, similar to the current process in which suppliers start the background check using HireRight directly. HireRight is integrated in the system and will automatically update the system once the check is completed.
Note: background checks are only required for net new resources added to C-Worker Connect. Please see the next question below for bypassing background checks for active contingent workers.
A: For background checks, you can select 'Initiate Supplier Background Check' and within that menu select the 'Action' dropdown and select 'View Details.' Within the candidate offer, select 'Meets Criteria' and from there select both checkboxes 'Email Confirmed' and 'Bypass Background check.' For the 'Bypass Background Check Reason' select 'Active Contingent Worker.' For 'Bypass Background Check Comments' suppliers can write 'active contingent worker.'
For the Confidential Information Agreement (NDA in C-Worker Connect), you can upload a blank NDA and note that it is an active contingent worker.
A: Once the resource status reads as 'Active' in assignments under 'Status', suppliers can verify that the worker has been added to all relevant systems. If the resources are not active, the Cisco hiring manager will need to approve the resources.
A: Yes, these are standard and have been added based on usage in existing systems.
A: Once resources are approved, hiring managers will email the resources their Cisco credentials, which is the same process for existing systems.
A: Suppliers will only need to approve transactions in the system, replacing the previous SAP Fieldglass process that required a completed DocuSign for signatures. Once suppliers submit final approvals, the transaction will be processed and suppliers will receive confirmation by a system notification and email.
A: Yes, suppliers can select the resource and change the physical work location by using the 'Amend' option. Note: Work location is autogenerated based on the project location. There are locations that can be remote listed, such as 'Remote-New York.'
A: 'Non-billable' resources are for SOWs or Projects based on a specific milestone. 'Billable' should be selected for resources that are required to be available for a specific time and material basis (such as number of hours).
A: In the C-Worker Connect system under 'Terms,' suppliers can update the resource table under 'Team Capacity Details' with information including role, role ID, start date, end date, and rate. Based on the information provided in the 'Team Capacity Details,' the calculations will feed into the 'Financials' section.
For T&M SOWs, if resources are allocated during SOW creation, then suppliers can submit a request with rate/estimates. Resources will be onboarded once approved by a Cisco hiring resource, and information will feed into the financials section.
Cisco announced a mandatory shutdown for Cisco employees in the first half of FY24 and subsequently communicated to workforce suppliers thereafter as follows:
Contingent workers should not be providing services to Cisco for the days below unless Cisco Hiring Managers receive an exemption The shutdown days are subject to change and suppliers will be notified promptly of any changes.
Please see the Cisco ‘Day for Me’ 2024 schedule that will impact all statements of work (SOWs) and temporary assignment engagements managed through Fieldglass and C-Worker Connect. Note: the schedule is subject to change and suppliers will be notified promptly of any changes. On Cisco ‘Days for Me’, contingent workers should not provide services to Cisco unless the services on the days below are deemed business critical. The 2024 Cisco ‘Days for Me’ are: