Answers to FAQs can be found in the list below. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please submit feedback or contact the help desk. To call the help desk dial 1-888-317-4957 or x74957 internally.
The feedback link in the upper right hand corner of @Ford Online goes to an e-mail inbox monitored by the Employee Communications team. Questions in this inbox are answered frequently. However, if your questions are technical in nature, please contact the help desk (1-888-317-4957 or x74957 internally). If you have specific benefits questions contact the NESC by e-mailing NESC@ford.com.
Questions About @Ford Online
What are the benefits to changing the site during these challenging economic times?
Moving to @Ford Online reduces the number of internal sites and effectively packages our employee communications tools under one umbrella. Additionally, the all-new @Ford Online site will have increased functionality and contain global content, providing a true ONE Ford perspective for all employees worldwide.
The redesign of the site has been coordinated entirely by the internal Ford IT and Employee Communication staffs. We're confident this new site will make it easier for employees to get company and industry information in one convenient location, while also providing a gateway to other important applications.
Why was Employee Network taken down?
We have created a central communications hub in @Ford Online that allows all employees and retirees access to the same news about the company. Many services that were part of Employee Network, such as Discount Marketplace and benefits related information, are now available on @Ford Online for US employees and retirees with Internet access. We expect the functionality offered by the site to grow further over time.
Can I access the entire @Ford Online site from Home?
You can access all the Information found in the "Inside Ford" and "News & Clipsheet" tabs from any computer with internet access.
Why did you make changes to the site?
There are several reasons we made the change. The technology that all of our company sites were based on was outdated and had to be upgraded. By moving to @Ford Online we've merged three sites into one to create a simpler way for employee to access both news and productivity information. The site also allows for additional functionality. Examples include being accessible at home, allowing you to create an RSS feed and enabling you to receive a news feed on your mobile device.
Why is the site different when I access it from home?
We prioritized company news and key HR information. We've also made items such as the Discount Marketplace accessible to a broader base of employees and retirees. In addition, some information is licensed only for internal use or is proprietary in nature.
The Subscribe to this RSS Feed link does not work, what should I do?
This problem exists in Internet Explorer 6 and is a known issue by the vendor of this site, Microsoft. If you are viewing this site with Internet Explorer 6, once you click on a 'subscribe' link, you will have to copy the following page's URL and paste this information into your RSS Reader.
How do I know which search to use?
@Ford Online supports multiple searches for all websites sponsored by Ford Motor Company. There are multiple search options to support the multiple site types.
All Sites is used to search all sites that are part of the Ford Intranet.
This Site is the search used to search only @Ford Online.
People is the search used to search for MySites.
What do I do if I cannot find a site anywhere?
If you have explored the Ford A-Z Index and conducted a search and cannot find your site, please click on Ford A-Z Index and follow the simple instructions to add a site. If you continue to have trouble, please call the help desk at the following URL http://www.spoc.ford.com/.
What Is...
What is an RSS Feed?
An RSS reader keeps track of the new stories and lets you know when you should take a look. You can read them directly in an RSS reader or you can click through to go to your favorite sites. By subscribing to one or more of the RSS feeds below, you will be able to keep up to date on the most recent items in @Ford Online as they are updated. For more information on @Ford RSS features click HERE.
What is a My Site?
A My Site is your new individual home page on SharePoint that allows you to easily create and personalize your online workspace. With a My Site, you can build your profile with information about yourself, share your profile the way you want, and connect with colleagues at Ford quickly and easily.To obtain a My Site, click the My Site link at the top of @Ford Online or any SharePoint Site.
What is Blue Oval Connect (BOC)?
Blue Oval Connect is a valuable communications tool utilized to maintain contact with Ford Motor Company's retiree population primarily in the United States. Retirees can elect to sign up to stay connected to Ford by receiving weekly updates via e-mail on the latest happenings around Ford While information is geared to a U.S. audience, any retiree is welcome to subscribe. Blue Oval Connect is also a catalyst in helping retirees stay in touch through other online and offline communities of individuals and self-organizing groups who have a common bond through previous or present connections with Ford.
What is the Discount Marketplace?
Discount Marketplace provides information on the latest discounts available to U.S. employees and U.S. retirees only. Discounts ranging from electronics, travel and entertainment, as well as other products and services are posted on the Discount Marketplace Web page. To access Discount Marketplace:
· Employees and Retirees must to log in.
· Salaried employees should use your normal CDS ID and password.
· Hourly Employees and Retirees should use the same user ID and password that you used if you have visited Employee Network. If you don't have an ID and password, click here.
· To go directly to the Discount Marketplace, simply go to either the Employee Landing Page or the U.S. Retiree Landing page after you've logged in.
What is Silverlight?
Silverlight is a program developed by Microsoft that allows you to view photos and videos inside your Web browser. The software is company approved and safe to install. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/resources/install.aspx to get this video / photo viewer.
What are corporate homes?
Corporate homes are homes that Ford Motor Company owns that are being sold by the company. To find out more information, or see a list of homes available, please go to http://www.at.ford.com/B2B/public/Pages/CorporateHomes.aspx.
What does End Date mean in the Discount Marketplace? Is this discount going away?
This shows how long the discount is in effect with the partner company. Often, these discounts are renewed when they expire. Expired discounts will not appear, so you can be assured that discount you are viewing are active.
What does the restrictions column mean in Discount Marketplace?
Sometimes discounts have restrictions, such as being active only in a certain geographic area or requiring an active Ford e-mail address to redeem. This column will make any such restrictions clear to you prior to trying to redeem it.
How Do I...
How do I move "My Links?"
For information on how to move your My Links please click HERE.
How do I post a Corporate Announcement?
@Ford Online does not have a specific site for corporate announcements or banners.
How do I find a Divisional Portal?
Divisional Portals can be accessed from the @Ford Navigation Resources & Organizations >> Countries & Divisions.
How do I find a Community Page?
Community Pages can be accessed from the @Ford Navigation Resources & Organizations >> Employee Resource Groups.
How do I add a site to the Ford A-Z Index?
On the Ford A-Z Index page, click the Add Link. Enter the title of the link. Enter the URL. Click Submit.
How do I submit a question for the upcoming Live Chat?
Go to http://www.livechat.ford.com/ChatList.aspx Click on the View icon of the chat for which you want to submit a question. Click on the link that says "Click here to submit a question for the chat." Fill out the form and save your question.
How do I view a transcript for a Live Chat?
Go to http://www.livechat.ford.com/ChatList.aspx Click on the Transcript icon of the chat for which you want to view the transcript.
I cannot play videos what can I do?
1.) Make sure you have the Silverlight 2.0 media player installed on your computer. 2.) If you do not have the Silverlight media player installed on your computer. Please put in a ticket with the Corporate Help Desk to have it installed on your computer.
How do I create a My Site?
To request a SharePoint My Site, Click the My Site link at the top of @Ford Online or any SharePoint Site.
How do I make @Ford Online my homepage?
1.) There is a link available on the homepage.
2.)In Internet Explorer, go to Tools. Select Internet Options. In the Address text box enter http://www.at.ford.com.
I'm inside the Ford firewall, what happened to all the gadgets?
Most of the functionality from my.ford.com has been transitioned to @Ford Online. A few items that were infrequently used were eliminated. Building Information has now been added here.
However, My Sites enable employees to have an opportunity for increased personalization ability compared to the gadgets available on my.ford.com.
Can I move a gadget?
@Ford Online does not allow users to add their own gadgets to the website. However, through the use of a My Site employees have an opportunity for increased personalization ability compared to the gadgets available on my.ford.com.
What happened to my.ford.com?
FCN Online (fcn.ford.com), the Employee Network (employees.ford.com) and the company hub (my.ford.com) have all been combined into a single site in @Ford Online. News sections of @Ford Online are available both inside and outside the firewall, as is other key information. The all-new @Ford Online site will have increased functionality and contain global content, providing a true ONE Ford perspective for all employees and retirees worldwide. The my.ford.com portal will be available through the end of March 2009. For more information on the status of my.ford.com please go to https://comm.sp.ford.com/sites/eportaldecom/Pages/Default.aspx
How do I get @Ford Online on my mobile phone or PDA?
From your mobile phone or PDA please enter the following url http://www.at.ford.com/m. This feature is available for phones that are on the Ford network. For phones that are not on the network and require an external use of the url this feature is coming soon.
Can I post pictures and videos to @Ford Online?
@Ford Online does not allow users to post pictures to its webpage. However you can post pictures to your My Site.
How can I get in touch with someone from @Ford Online?
Employees can submit comments and concerns to @Ford Online using the Feedback form. If you need assistance with the Provide Feedback form please contact the Corporate Help Desk.
Can I do a keyword search?
To perform a keyword search please enter the Keyword in the Search box, then click on the search icon.
How do I perform a CDS look-up?
To perform a CDS Lookup please access the 'CDS Lookup' link in the upper right menu on the home page.
How can I get something on the front page of @Ford Online?
If you have a story idea, please submit it in feedback on the home page. You can also e-mail FCNNEWS4@ford.com. Ideas will be considered. There is no longer a gadget for placing corporate announcements.
How do I receive an RSS feed?
You can subscribe to an RSS feed by clicking on the "subscribe" link next to any RSS icon on the @Ford Online web site or clicking on a link from the complete list of all @Ford Online RSS feeds listed RSS Feeds page.
Can I add my own gadget?
@Ford Online does not allow users to add their own gadgets to the website. However, through the use of a My Site, employees have an opportunity for increased personalization ability compared to the gadgets available on my.ford.com.
How do I post a comment to an article?
Click the 'Add Comment' button located at the bottom of the article.
Can I post comments without being logged in?
No. Only authenticated viewers will be allowed to post comments. Viewers accessing the site from home without logging in will not be able to post comments to articles.
How do I report an inappropriate comment?
Click the 'Report Abuse' link at the bottom of the article comments section. Provide as much information regarding to the inappropriate comment as possible.
Employee Network made me log in before I saw anything – do I still need to log in?
A great deal of basic information is available without logging in on @Ford Online. However, there is still some content that is secured to protect your privacy and the company’s proprietary information. You will need to log in to see that information. Such information includes Benefit information, some Health & Wellness programs and information about the Management Lease Program. Because the special offers on Discount Marketplace are only intended for employees and retirees, that part of the site is also password protected.
How do I log in?
If you are accessing the site from the internal Ford Network, you will automatically be logged in. If you are accessing the site from the Internet, then just go to the top of the U.S. Retiree or Employee landing page where you will find a link to log in. You may click there to log in or you can also simply click here.
Why isn't the login available on the main page?
Since @Ford Online is available both inside the Ford Network as well as from the public Internet, there were some restrictions. Also, many people will only log in when accessing the secured content. On the pages where secured content may appear, the option to log in is shown in the instructions above.
I don’t have a User ID – how do I get one?
On the log in page, there are links to where you may obtain your User ID. You may go from there to obtain your ID or you can also simply click here.
Ok – I've logged in, where's the secured content?
What secured content you have access to depends on what type of user you are. For example, if you are a Ford Hourly Retiree, you will see different secured content than what an Active Ford Hourly Employee will see. This combined with Ford's attempt to make as much content public as possible, means that on some pages, no new links will appear because all of the information that you have access to has already been made public.
Can I bookmark a specific area within @Ford Online, such as the Discount Marketplace?
Yes. If you are using Internet Explorer, simply click on "Favorites" in the main menu and then "Add to Favorites…" For other browsers, please see the associated help for that browser.
What if I can’t find something I expect to find?
This is a difficult question to answer within a FAQ. Please try the search function and if you still can’t find something, please submit feedback or contact the Help Desk at 1-888-317-4957 or x74957 internally.
The log-in page has changed. Why?
The log-in system has been streamlined and you will be able to sign in once to navigate through the site. Exceptions may happen if you are taken to an outside web site.The ID and password you previously created are still valid.
I'm a retiree who has come back to work at Ford through an agency – why can't I see my retiree information?
When you came back to Ford to work through an agency after retirement, your CDSID was updated to identify you as an agency. To regain your retiree information access, please contact the Help Desk.
I don't like the order the discounts are shown within Discount Marketplace.
While the categories are fixed, you can show or hide all items within a category by clicking on the box to the left of the category. You can also click on most column headers to sort the discounts by that field.
May I send my friends to this site?
@Ford Online is primarily intended for employees and retirees. However, all the information on the site that does need a login may be shared freely.
I was logged into the site, left for awhile and when I came back, I found out that I was logged out. Why?
As a security measure, @Ford Online will log you out after 60 minutes of inactivity when your logged in through the Internet.
I have a question about my benefits - who can I contact?
For questions about benefits, you may contact the NESC. For different topics, please use one of the e-mail addresses below:
· For questions about Death Processing, email deathrpt@ford.com
· For questions about Dependent Audit, email depaudit@ford.com
· For questions about HR Policies and Programs, email hrpolpgm@ford.com
· For questions about Insurance (including eligibility other than as a result of an audit), email nesc@ford.com
· For questions about Retirement, email retire@ford.com
· For questions about Salaried payroll, email spayroll@ford.com
· For questions about Salaried payroll deductions (garnishments, levies, Friend of the Court), email pdeducts@ford.com
· For questions about Hourly payroll, email hpay@ford.com
· For questions about Verification of employment for adoptions or Visas, email verify@ford.com
How do I get to the online compliance training site?
The link to the online compliance training site is http://www.integrity.ford.com.
What do I do if I become aware of something I think is a violation of Company policy or the law?
Report it promptly to one of the following:
· Human Resources/Personnel Relations
· The General Auditor's Office
· The Office of the General Counsel or your local Legal Office
· Corporate Security (formerly Executive Operations in the United States). Report a Suspected Law/Policy Violation http://www.security.ford.com/ShowPage.aspx?DocumentID=63.
· One of our free, 24-hour hotlines. Helpful Phone Numbers http://www.security.ford.com/ShowPage.aspx?DocumentID=64.
· Regional Investigation Coordinator (see list on the Security Website http://www.security.ford.com/ShowPage.aspx?DocumentID=63)
· Local Incident Coordinators (where applicable) (see list on the Security Website http://www.security.ford.com/ShowPage.aspx?DocumentID=63)
· Recipients authorized under local procedures
Where Is...
What happened to FCN Online?
FCN Online (fcn.ford.com), the Employee Network (employees.ford.com) and the company hub (my.ford.com) have all been combined into a single site in @Ford Online. News sections of @Ford Online are available both inside and outside the firewall, as is other key information. The all-new @Ford Online site will have increased functionality and contain global content, providing a true ONE Ford perspective for all employees and retirees worldwide.
Where is Clipsheet?
Clipsheet can be accessed through the use of the @Ford Online Navigation News & Clipsheet >> Clipsheet.
Where is CDS Lookup?
To perform a CDS Lookup, please access the 'CDS Lookup' link in the upper right menu on the home page. The CDS Lookup gadget is not currently available on @Ford Online.
Where is the Unit Converter Gadget?
A link to an Unit Converter has been placed in the Ford A-Z Site Index under the letter U.
Where is the World Clock?
A link to a World Clock has been placed in the Ford A-Z Site Index under the letter W.
Where are all the my.ford.com links?
All my.ford.com links have been integrated into the new @Ford Online site. A convenient way to access these links is by using the A-Z Site Index.
Where is FCN Online?
FCN Online (fcn.ford.com), the Employee Network (employees.ford.com) and the company hub (my.ford.com) have all been combined into a single site in @Ford Online. News sections of @Ford Online are available both inside and outside the firewall, as is other key information. The all-new @Ford Online site will have increased functionality and contain global content, providing a true ONE Ford perspective for all employees and retirees worldwide.
Where is my benefit information?
Benefit information can be accessed from the U.S. Employees Landing page located at http://www.at.ford.com/B2B/Pages/EmployeesLandingPage.aspx or the U.S. Retiree Landing page located at http://www.at.ford.com/B2B/Pages/RetireeLandingPage.aspx.
Where is Blue Oval Connect
Blue Oval Connect can be found in the Publications section of @ Ford Online. In the main menu select News & Clipsheet >> Publications.
Where is the calendar?
The calendar can be easily accessed two different ways. It is found in the A-Z site index list under calendar and is also under the Tools tab as Events Calendar.
Where is the Discount Market Place?
Discount Market place can be located on the Employee Landing Page or the U.S. Retiree Landing page after you've logged in.
Where is Building Information?
The building information can be easily accessed two different ways. It is found in the A-Z site index list under building information and is also on the General Resources landing page under Resources & Organization.
What is some of the new content on the site from @Ford Online?
@Ford Online can be seen as ‘one-stop shopping.’ It has very thorough news about the company and the industry for all employees and retirees and maintains most of the other services you had on Employee Network.
Where is the classified section that was on Employee Network?
In the past several years, sites dedicated to selling and/or trading personal property have become popular on the public Internet. Instead of continuing a classified section on @Ford Online, we recommend you use one of the dedicated sites such as Ebay (www.ebay.com) or CraigsList (www.craigslist.org). One factor involved, over the past years usage of the Employee Network classified section had significantly decreased.
Where is Employee Network's Retiree Directory section?
Recently, sites dedicated to reconnecting with people have become popular on the Internet. Sites such as Facebook (www.facebook.com) or LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) are recommended. Other information from Retiree Network, such as forms and Blue Oval Connect newsletters, have been included in @Ford Online.
Is there a Site Map so that I can see how everything is organized on the site?
No - however, we recommend you use the search function located at the top of the site to help you located the content you are looking for.
Where can I find Company policies and directives?
You can access all Company Policies and Directives at https://dept.sp.ford.com/sites/fordlegal/Pages/CompanyPoliciesandDirectives.aspx. If additional information is necessary, send a note to fordlaw@ford.com.