Are any other HR people feeling a bit lonely in all this :(

Totally feeling the same! You're definitely not alone. I think the hardest part is that we are all in completely new and unchartered territory and wondering whether we're doing the right thing - add that to the expectation that you're the voice of calm and reason across the business and HR becomes the pillar that everyone leans on at the moment. Self care is so important right now - as is avoiding isolation. I'm here if you want to chat :)

I am finding it all a bit surreal. Some aspects are carrying on as normal, we still have the usual casework, support meetings, and so on. There's a lot of contingency related work, so guidance for managers and employees about remote working, best practice etc. Managers seem to have lost the ability to use objective discretion (some didn't have it in the first place). I feel like I am herding kittens sometimes. But remotely, as we have all been asked to work from home if possible, which is now useful as child's school has shut as staff were displaying symptoms and had to deep clean and now it's staffing as they have to wait for the necessary period of time before they can return.
I have chosen to ignore all social media posts relating to COVID19, jokey, serious, community minded, conspiracy theorist, whatever. I have found this very beneficial to keeping perspective.
I am trying to practice the Mind 5 ways to wellbeing as well, in simple ways. The daffodils in the garden, the fact that homeworking has helped me reach the bottom of the laundry basket for the first time in years, little everyday things to take heart from.

I am finding it all a bit surreal. Some aspects are carrying on as normal, we still have the usual casework, support meetings, and so on. There's a lot of contingency related work, so guidance for managers and employees about remote working, best practice etc. Managers seem to have lost the ability to use objective discretion (some didn't have it in the first place). I feel like I am herding kittens sometimes. But remotely, as we have all been asked to work from home if possible, which is now useful as child's school has shut as staff were displaying symptoms and had to deep clean and now it's staffing as they have to wait for the necessary period of time before they can return.
I have chosen to ignore all social media posts relating to COVID19, jokey, serious, community minded, conspiracy theorist, whatever. I have found this very beneficial to keeping perspective.
I am trying to practice the Mind 5 ways to wellbeing as well, in simple ways. The daffodils in the garden, the fact that homeworking has helped me reach the bottom of the laundry basket for the first time in years, little everyday things to take heart from.

Herding kittens made me smile!

I think I would rather be herding kittens at the moment. It sounds much more fun!

I'm in a standalone role so its really difficult and I have managers who seem to think I have all the answers via my secret direct line to Boris' secretary! I've had to explain to several managers including my MD that I have pretty much the same news and updates as them and that if they're not sure they should first check the gov.uk site for advise. We've made our decisions on employees self-isolating so follow those and if an employee asks how long then guide them to the relevant site. I am not a nurse or a doctor. I am not medically qualified to advise someone on their health so point them in the direction of the amazing people who are (preferably over the phone).

My dining table has now become my desk and I was about ready to bang my head on it this morning when a manager emailed me saying "X employee is having IVF". Nothing else, no question just that statement. My thoughts were Ok and you want me to do what, say what exactly?. I think everyone is just losing their heads completely and normally rational sensible managers are losing their common sense along with it.

There is always sanity and rationality here Gemma, it's a sanctuary for me!

I am imagining an old rotary phone on your dining table now, for that secret direct line.

I have also been expected not only to distinguish between a common cold and Coronavirus but also to suddenly have all the answers to educating children of all ages.

I am also, somewhat more seriously, feeling as though I am a mental health support worker, for the colleagues that would normally be on our "watch list" as vulnerable anyway, but even more so now.

Anyway, we had a rousing talk from our CEO on a webinar this morning, with a thank you to IT and HR. Normally we're competing for the least popular department award, now we are corporate heroes apparently.

"I'm in a standalone role so its really difficult and I have managers who seem to think I have all the answers via my secret direct line to Boris' secretary!"

Gemma...do we work for the same Company? haha. This is exactly how i feel and i am going to need a long holiday after this.

Helen, absolutely that is the set up! She's a lovely lady I speak to, goes by the name of Nora! She's great! Lol.

Yes, these are the types of questions being asked by managers - how do we know if it's coronavirus and they've not just got a cold? My answer is that we don't but do you really want them here and to test the theory?

Nicola I sympathise I really do.

I've just come off our daily managers call where I very bluntly said to one manager who asked what are saying to staff who push back against being made to take a weeks annual leave, that the employee is more than welcome to take a weeks unpaid leave instead. And that certain individuals need to be reminded that the steps we are taking, including forcing some of them to take a weeks annual leave, is for both the good of the business and them and that we're doing all these things to try and ensure there is a business for us all to come back to at the end of all this. To which I got a rousing "well said" by our sales manager which made me feel somewhat better about being so blunt.

I also work in a stand alone recruitment role, recruitment has come to a halt and now im doing HR stuff which is fine, but I am pretty new to the company