Even heroes have limits
20 July 2020
In normal times, many people’s thoughts would now be turning to summer holidays, the opportunity to see new sights (like the one pictured), or the chance to pursue their interests.
After all, schools in England close this week. Scottish schoolchildren haven’t been back since 20 March and are scheduled to return from 11 August, while youngsters in Wales were only in class for three weeks from 29 June.
Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown have disrupted getaway plans. Nevertheless, it is really important that people get a break of some kind.
It’s now four whole months since the lockdown was announced and employees have been working relentlessly.
Many people have been based at home - perhaps for the first time in their careers - and are having to juggle family commitments and overcoming challenges like restricted work space. And it can be difficult to switch off at the end of the day.
Under pressure
A previous blog post on this site focused on the wellbeing of furloughed workers; the same applies equally to those who have been at work throughout this unparalleled situation.
The interim findings from a survey conducted by the Institute for Employment Studies during the first two weeks of the lockdown state that home working is affecting both the physical and mental wellbeing of people.
60% of those surveyed worry they are taking less exercise and 48% say they are working longer and more irregular hours. 36% feel under too much pressure and 43% believe they don’t have enough time to get their work done.
Working flat out
Last week I spoke to a hire company Director who, like many, has been working flat out since the pandemic struck. He recently took a Friday off as holiday - his first break of any kind in 2020. Many other workers must be in a similar position.
He admitted that the stresses of running the business, caring for furloughed and non-furloughed staff, and meeting customer demands, had taken its toll. He’s hoping to have a series of four-day weeks now that more colleagues are back. I sincerely hope he can, and that he takes more time off soon.
In researching and writing the items for this blog, it’s clear that many hirers and suppliers are working very long hours, facing new challenges and going way beyond the call of duty.
Whatever it takes
Paradoxically, of course, that’s what the hire industry is all about: doing whatever it takes to help customers and being proud of a job well done. However, everyone is human, so it’s vital that people recognise this and take a break, for the good of themselves and those around them.
So please, do take that break, whether it’s just a few days at home finishing a box set and doing something completely different, or enjoying a longer trip away.
The industry’s response to the pandemic has been heroic. But even heroes have limits.
• Recognising that not everyone will be able to take their full holiday entitlement, and in an effort to relieve a potential operational challenge for employers, the Government has introduced a temporary change to the Working Time Regulations 1998 which will allow workers to carry over up to four weeks of holiday for up to two years if issues relating to Covid-19 have prevented the employee from taking their leave in the current holiday year.
The law firm Burges Salmon has compiled an excellent booklet containing guidance on this issue, as well as on complying with other Covid-19 regulations.
(Photo: Max Ravier, Pexels)
