November 5th 2020

Surviving the second lockdown

It's the sequel that no one wanted; as the industry faces up to a second lockdown NABS provides some much needed support and advice.

Nicola Kemp

Editorial Director Creativebrief

How are you? It is a question that is too often little more than a statement, rather than a genuine enquiry. Yet, as we collectively get to grips with a second lockdown it is a business necessity to ensure that not only is ‘how are you?’ is a genuine question but that the answers and challenges of employees are actively listened to.

As the coronavirus crisis continues to have a devastating economic and emotional impact across the industry, the notion that ‘we are all in it together’ must be recognised for the hollow platitude it is. For while we face the same storm, each individual experience is unique. Employees living in house shares, for example, may crave a return to the office for space and mental wellbeing. On the flip-side employees with caring responsibilities for vulnerable parents or children with little to no childcare options, may not have the same need.

Yet while the demands of employees may well be contradictory, the need to address them is an urgent one. Work related stress and mental ill health is the leading cause of sickness absence and, according to NABS, the number of calls to its advice line due to redundancy are up by 117%.

NABS will be here to support people both financially and emotionally over the tough coming months; we urge anybody who needs help to contact us. You are not alone.
Diana Tickell

Emotional support, which has long been one of the main reasons for people to call NABS, continues to rise, notably in terms of emotional support calls related to mental health. The danger is employees in fear of redundancy will not feel confident enough to enforce boundaries around the working hours to avoid burnout, or voice the mental health challenges they are facing.

With this in mind NABS wants the industry to know that it is “here to help throughout the second lockdown and beyond”. Its staff and volunteers have been continuing to support the industry from home, as they have been doing since March. Its Masterclasses, mentoring, coaching, redundancy advice and therapeutic offering have all been taking place online and will continue to do so.

Diana Tickell, CEO, NABS, explained: “Our last wellbeing poll results revealed that 57% of people are struggling with a lack of motivation and drive. Employers need to do all they can to support their talent. This second lockdown will compound these issues. It will also have a huge impact on the general wellbeing of people working in our industry, especially as many of us were just getting used to a tentative return to the office.”

She continued: “NABS will be here to support people both financially and emotionally over the tough coming months; we urge anybody who needs help to contact us. You are not alone.”

NABS’ tips for surviving the second lockdown

By Annabel McCaffrey, Head of Support, NABS

Draw from past resilience: Know that you got through this before, you can get through this again. Recognise how flexible and adaptive you’ve been; you can use these qualities again.

Be realistic with your expectations of yourself and your teams: You/they may well be fatigued, cooped up at home in bad weather, while schools and childcare settings may still shut again. Avoid overloading yourself and your teams with meetings. Have compassion if people are working more slowly.

Prioritise self-care: Now more than ever, you must make time for your wellbeing. Check out anxiety resources on the NABS Knowledge Hub if that’s what you’re facing. There are also a host of videos on NABS YouTube to support you.

Equip yourself with knowledge and support if you’re facing redundancy: Check out the Redundancy Tool on the NABS website, call the Advice Line for employment guidance and signposting, and apply for a grant if you’re facing financial hardship.

Seek out community: You may feel like retreating but connection will keep you going. Reach out to others and offer help. Communicate with your team, have set times to talk and regroup online. Join NABS Masterclasses and events for support, learning and community-building across the industry.

Understand the impact of BLM on colleagues from Black and other minority communities: The murder of George Floyd and subsequent events will have opened up deep psychological wounds for many people, which can translate to anger, anxiety and exhaustion further compounded by another lockdown. Take a step back to understand what the impact has been. If you’re personally affected by BLM and how it’s triggered you, don’t bury it. Look after your emotional health and reach out for help, for example by calling NABS’ Advice Line.

Remember what worked for you and what didn‘t during lockdown one: Set boundaries to avoid doing what made you feel worse last time i.e. too many Zoom meetings, not taking time to walk outside away from your desk. Notice what you enjoyed during the first lockdown and make sure to build this in. Don’t feel guilty for finding moments of joy. You need them.

It’s harder to get things done when your motivation is low, but this simple trick can help: Choose a positive behaviour each day that you’d like to put into practice; this can give you a much-needed lift.

Take short breaks to refresh yourself and boost your productivity: A ten-minute walk or a five-minute mindfulness exercise will help you to work better and more creatively than forcing yourself to sit and your desk all day.

If you’re a manager, make sure that you’re clear in your communications: Your team needs to understand what’s expected of them, and they need you to support and nurture them in those goals while motivation levels are low.