Today marks one year since we started on this lockdown journey, and the MorePeople team will be taking part in the minute’s silence at midday today to remember everyone who has tragically lost their lives to Covid. Looking back, none of us predicted the full extent of the challenges the pandemic would bring, but we’re keeping focused on brighter times ahead.
As a team, we’ve also been reflecting on the effects that the last 12 months have had on our working lives, what we’ve learnt and what has had the biggest impact…
------------------------------
“It’s been a challenging year for most - work wise, candidates and clients have adjusted well to first stage video interviews and adapted to ‘Covid friendly’ on site interviews, which has kept processes running smoothly. Personally, after being furloughed for a period of time, I now appreciate the importance of getting out with the dog and getting fresh air. Also enjoying learning Spanish on Duolingo to keep me busy!”Sarah Want
------------------------------
“I would say that remote working has been the best thing that has come from Covid. It has given me the perfect work-life balance that I’ve always looked for in a job. You really can work from anywhere and being able to go out for a walk or do a workout over lunchtime, and having no travel time, has massively helped me feel less stressed and enjoy work a lot more. I also think it’s given businesses an opportunity to be more forward thinking and make changes that possibly would have never happened without the pandemic.” Lycia Pitcher
------------------------------
“This last year has been a year of being proud to work in a fairly resilient sector, which has risen to meet the challenges that Covid has brought, and a year of being grateful for lots of the small things in life that we previously took for granted – a strong support network foremost amongst them.” Andrew Fitzmaurice
------------------------------
“It has made me realise how important it is to stay in contact with your work colleagues. When I was furloughed for 7 months last year, I felt a little isolated at times, but once you got on the phone and spoke to a work colleague – it made my day!! It really made a difference and made me feel positive and that there was light at the end of the tunnel! On a more personal level, my life saver has been going out for daily walks and being out in the fresh air (even if it was pouring with rain), taking in how great nature and wildlife is!!” Jo Purvis
------------------------------
“I’ve realised just how much I enjoy and need work in my life! What work offers you, beyond just an income, is a real sense of purpose, enabling your brain to work on ideas and challenges away from your home life of being a parent, husband etc. and a distraction from what is going on in the world. Your workplace offers you an environment, place to attend every day and physically get you away from the other part of your life. Your work colleagues offer you camaraderie, an understanding of what you do for a living and quite often offer you a different take on things. I will never take work for granted again or underestimate just how much of my life it fulfils.” Richard Hanwell
------------------------------
“I’ve been amazed at how brilliant (most) people across the UK and the wider world have adapted during the pandemic, particularly the way that people in general have gone out of their way to help those in need and support each other. I’m also very proud of our team, as well as our clients and candidates across our sectors, who have all rallied well and continued to work during these unprecedented times.” Guy Moreton
------------------------------
“Looking back over the last 12 months, it feels on one hand to have gone very quick, but also very slow. I am certainly very grateful to have been able to carry on working through the pandemic and to be able to help people find a new role after they have been made redundant due to Covid.” Luan Harrison
------------------------------
“At the start of lockdown, I worked from home and was then furloughed by my old company before deciding to join MorePeople. To have been able to join a company that has continued to grow, and enabled me to come into a covid secure office to work alongside some of my colleagues, has been a massive boost. I never thought I would miss the daily commute, however Covid has made me appreciate how lucky I am to have such stable employment.” Tom Merriman
------------------------------
“Working from home isn’t for everyone! I very quickly missed the comradery of being with my colleagues, in particular during a very challenging time. Having the chance to spend more time with my family has been great. Whether it was having breakfast and dinner with them every day or going for a lunchtime walk. Finally, teachers should have their salaries doubled immediately… with a clause that says they will never ever not teach our children ever again, pandemic or no pandemic!” Morten Andresen
------------------------------
“The last 12 months have been hard on all of us and I think it has made us all much more aware of our own mental health, and the mental health of those around us. If there is something positive to come out of the pandemic, maybe helping bring mental health and mental health awareness to the fore is it?” Tom Edmondson-Matthews
------------------------------
“It’s been a hell of a year for me… furloughed from my previous job for the majority, my first child born in the middle, my wife stuck in hospital alone for 8 days. To say it’s been the hardest 12 months of my life would be a massive understatement, it has pushed me mentally and physically and I am still fighting those battles today. However, I can see the endgame, I have a new job in a company that is going places and believes in their staff, my son is growing up into a funny, clever little boy and I will never take an invite to any plans, of any sort, for granted again.” Aidan Finn
------------------------------
“I’ve always been an advocate for self-care, but the last 12 months have made looking after yourself more important than ever. If you’re going to be able to offer support to those who rely on you, whether it’s your work colleagues, your kids going through home schooling or people in your support bubble, you need to put yourself first. Make time to do the things you love that make you happy and others will benefit too.” Claire Smith
------------------------------
Even in a relatively small team, everyone's experiences are different, but all equally deserve to be shared. What are you reflecting on today?
