Getting through lockdown

Staying fit. Keeping the kids busy. Learning a new skill. There’s an abundance of online tips for how to get through lockdown.

Most of the advice I’ve seen recognises that the recent restrictions are in some ways more challenging than back in March. Perhaps because we had the glimmer of normality during the summer, a chance to rebuild routines and reconnect with family and friends. Perhaps because the days are shorter - and colder! Or perhaps just because we remember how tough it was the first time round…

So I wanted to talk about some of the things we’ve experienced at Deloitte and how we’re trying to support our colleagues and communities. Business leaders and organisations need to share and learn from each other if we are to make the most positive impact on people and society more broadly.

Work, eat, sleep, repeat 

I’ve noticed in my Zoom calls with colleagues, and in my virtual catch ups with friends, that people are - at times - feeling drained. While some remain upbeat, I think the adrenalin that fuelled many people through the early months of the crisis has given way to a real need for structure and routine, and a way to separate our weekdays, weekends and holidays. 

We regularly survey colleagues at Deloitte on their wellbeing, asking a series of short questions to try to gauge how they’re feeling and what’s on their minds. The most recent survey showed that people are growing tired of the uncertainty of the pandemic, of the lack of social contact, and of the blurring of work and home life – particularly acute for those living in cramped accommodation or with caring responsibilities. 

A bit of me time

Lockdowns can have a big impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Everyone is so focused on supporting their family and friends that their own self-care is normally last on their to-do list (if it even makes it that far).

I know that, for many, finding time amid the competing demands of daily life is tough, but taking some personal time during the work day is so important. Maybe a walk, or time with pets (my wife and I adopted Murty), calling a friend, playing music (my go-to sound is above!) or reading – any ways to switch off from the news cycle of the pandemic, and from Zoom meetings. 

Connecting for impact

During the first national lockdown, we encouraged daily video call check-ins for our teams, sign-posted mental health support, and introduced some more light-hearted things to connect people, like online fitness classes, mindfulness sessions, a Buddies Network and a virtual Coffee Club.

The Coffee Club, which randomly pairs colleagues across the firm for a 30 minute chat, has been a big hit and helped develop a strong support community. So we’re branching out this month and inviting athletes and members of the British Olympic Association (including Tokyo hopefuls and Olympic veterans) to join in some of our virtual catch ups.

And across our firm, teams have been encouraging positive activities, including foodbank donations, team step challenges, and virtual afternoon tea with supplies from Social Bite, one of our society partners that helps the homeless with food, housing and employment.

This team spirit is crucial but we’re looking at other ways to help our employees, like providing funding for them to purchase home-working equipment. We also know that resilient and empathetic leadership is so important and we’ve built a range of online resources so team leaders can have the training they need. We’ll be offering 1-2-1 drop-ins with our HR team to give managers access to key advice and asking all of our team leaders to do mental health first aid training to build their confidence in supporting colleagues who may be struggling.

Looking out for one another

The support we give each other will be vital to helping all our colleagues, communities, family and friends to get through the coming months.

During the pandemic so many have been inspired to act and make a positive difference for others. Through our 5 Million Futures programme, we’re working with a network of amazing social enterprises to help them support their local communities. This festive season we’re encouraging colleagues to buy their gifts through these social businesses and we’ve signed up to the SEUK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge, looking at how we can directly and indirectly (through suppliers) spend more with these organisations.

Always learning

This crisis has made conversations about wellbeing more widespread.

And that’s why I wanted to write this blog: to share what we’re doing and to ask others in turn to share their advice and experiences, so we can all keep learning and improving how we provide support to those who need it most.

Thanks for reading and stay well.