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

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.

Reading your post was like looking in the mirror. It’s important that we balance our own wellbeing as well as being the professionals who keep up to date with the latest developments. It’s exhausting, and we need to look after our families at this time also!

Hi Samantha,
Feeling very much as you are but you are not alone as we as a profession are all facing very similar situations and all we can do is our best for people. Even if unfortunately it is not the information they wish to hear.

Joanne I can really empathize as I described my menopause like being hit by a tsunami or some kind of crazy reverse puberty!! I found mindfulness techniques and the Headspace App (lots of others available) really helpful and am certainly using them at the moment. Dr Ranjan Chatterjee put a great podcast out last week which I've listened to more than once on my journey home from work. I'd recommend a listen. I have also set up an email template (to help direct staff to resources they can use) with various reputable links for mental well-being sites like Mind so am happy to forward this to you if it helps. Lots of virtual hugs

Yes but in a slightly different way - I seem to have been relegated as a Furloughed employee and basically left out of everything

Hi Samantha,
I empathise with you completely - these times are certainly trying and we are expected to be the face of calm.

My struggle is more with getting the Directors to listen - I joined the company in November, and am studying for my Diploma in HR at the moment.

The majority of employees are WFH now, but we have employees going out to warehouses (that belong to a large, well known online retailer) to do maintenance works. They argue that they are Critical Supply Chain, so our Directors argue that we are too.

On Monday we sent 5 employees to a site outside of London, and managed to put them up in hotels. All hotels are now closing in the area as of Saturday.

I am being asked to put the first 5 employees into an Airbnb - and we are now sending 4 more employees there tomorrow.

My argument is that we are making these people 'move in' together, when people not of the same household should not even be within 2 metres of each other where possible.

I've also asked for a contingency plan in regards to if one person gets symptoms whilst working down there, as all the people staying in that household, will surely have to self isolate together. They will be away from family and I should imagine unable to travel - they are not even considering if the symptoms become worse and these employees have to go to hospital at the opposite end of the country to where they live.

I view it as being irresponsible, but until Boris sets out further regulations on what is essential construction, and what are essential businesses in general, I fear it will continue.

It is tiring to be battling this every day, especially when they do not listen!

Hi

No, your not alone, having just started with a new company I'm beginning to feel the anxiety, getting to know processes etc and policies remotely is so hard. I appreciate being able to work from home but its really hard, especially when every 15 minutes there is something new around this like Breaking news, I think the other day when Boris Johnson was diagnosed I had breaking news on my phone and whatsapp.

Lets hope this doesnt carry on for too long, its hearbreaking.

That makes all kinds of sense doesn't it? The biggest mass HR crisis business has faced in a generation and the send their HR input home! I feel for you. :-(

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

You are definitely not alone in this feeling! *Sending you huge virtual hugs* Thank you for putting it out there, its not selfish at all. At least we all have each other :)