Hi Jennifer,

When we went into lockdown, this was something that we were quite conscious of especially because our industry has been hit so hard by the virus. Our approach was to consider what HR could do and what the line managers could / should do. Here are some of the ideas that we linked to our ‘out of sight, but you are in mind ‘ theme.

• We created a company newsletter ‘The MC Times’, and we asked people from across the business to submit content. This might be personal information and activities, volunteering, pictures of creative workspaces, good news stories, just for fun section (brain. teasers or dingbats) there was also a more serious bit where we gave key business messages on how the trade was performing, and messaging about staying safe with families etc. We also included a special feature from an exec member and their background;  a different one each month.  It took a little while to get off the ground (getting regular content), but it works well now.
• We created several engagement infographics and guides for managers and colleagues.  e.g. Hints and Tips – how to work from home, how to stay connected to the business and each other, how to manage customers in the virtual world etc.
• We created a One-Stop-Shop which is basically a central hub for all resources and to drive up participation to the resources I got our marketing team to create an email footer that the full HR team and line managers use.
• We focussed on the importance of quality conversations, and we provided some examples of questions manager could ask. Focusing on the individual, not tasks.  This we felt was important as some of our early careers live in small bedsits or with parents, so we wanted to check-in on wellbeing.
• Some of the early careers took up apprenticeship qualifications. This went down really well as our younger colleagues are keen to learn and grow. They also love the student discount element.
• We sent out ongoing links to free learning materials regularly; they would then often share what they had learnt or had found interesting.
• My colleague and I wrote our first blog ‘practice what we preach’. Basically, we spoke about our experiences during this time, hopes and fears and a little bit about our career paths. We invited others to do the same.
• Virtual pub quizzes on some Fridays set by a different colleague each time. Also, some of our suppliers arranged virtual taste and learn sessions.
• Alternated colleagues to chair team meetings or if that was a step too far gave them slots on the agenda.
• Regular catch-ups to ask then if we (the business) was doing enough and if not what more could we do.
• We also asked our managers how they would like to be remembered by their teams for the role they played during this time. Thinking they’d support what they helped create.