WITH the nation back in lockdown, employees in every sector are facing extra stress. But Sunemployment is here to help.
In this special edition, we bring you the best expert help and advice to make lockdown working suit you.
WORKING PARENTS
CHARLOTTE Davies, LinkedIn Careers Expert and mum of two said: “There are challenging times ahead as parents need to readjust to working from home while home-schooling children again.”
- Have a New Year reset. Sit down with your whole household, kids included, and talk about what worked well – and not so well – in Lockdown 1.
- Create physical boundaries. If space allows, create a dedicated workstation for your children. Separate work and home lives.
- Talk to your employer. The events of the last year have meant many companies are more understanding about the challenges of working from home with children.
- Get support. Balancing work and childcare can feel overwhelming. Reach out to people who understand, like parenting peers.
- Embrace the noise! The sounds of children playing or crying in the background can be disruptive, but it needs to be normalised.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
MIKE Cherry, chair of the Federation of Small Business, said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of communities and the economy, accounting for 60 per cent of private sector employment in the UK. The future economic recovery depends heavily on their survival in this first quarter of 2021.”
- Know what financial packages you have access to. The situation is ever-changing. Get up to date advice at fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
- Make sure you have a solid online presence. If you can, switch your offering to online and use social media to make sales.
- Be adaptable. Among all the tough challenges, are there opportunities. Can you change the way you operate or provide services?
- Don’t stop networking. Reach out to those facing similar struggles.
- Be mindful of your physical and mental health. Look after yourself as well as your business.
START-UPS
EMMA Jones CBE is founder of start-up platform Enterprisenation.com. She said: “There is still a relentless passion for enterprise.”
- Embrace training. Lockdown offers the chance to learn something new. Take courses like the free Amazon Small Business Accelerator.
- Motivate staff. For your employees, lockdown will be worrying. Write them a personal note and outline clear guidance and the support available.
- Pivot. In the last year we’ve seen a decade’s worth of digital change. What innovation could you consider?
- What help can you get? Search out start-up support. Vodafone is offering 12 months’ free broadband on a 36-month plan to all firms with under 50 employees.
- Take advice. We can match start-ups with an adviser on enterprisenation.com to help you through.