Recently I attended a webinar and the CHRO of a public listed company shared that last year during the initial lockdown period, she had to work everyday including weekends and public holidays because it was so chaotic. She felt like giving up and wanted to resign. When I heard her saying that, I was like, I feel you woman! I felt the same and I am sure a lot in the HR community felt the same too!
I still remember our then Prime Minister announced on Labour Day, 1st May 2020, that we will be moving from MCO to CMCO on 4th May 2020. On top the fact it was a public holiday when the news was announced, it was a Friday & office was allowed to open on Monday? You know, it’s not just as simple as we open office tomorrow. A lot of preparations need to be done. What you think had happened? Everybody kelam kabut lah! HR WhatsApp groups ding ding ding non stop.
Our senior leadership team log on calls after calls that faithful Labour Day, discussing how we want to move forward. After the calls, all teams were then deployed to set in motion over the weekend to prepare for Monday including all members in my HR team. Chaotic times indeed!
That is why it’s really important we show up & stand united. Just like the 1998 Summer Olympics song, “Hand in hand we stand, all across the land, we can make this world a better place in which to live.” Together, we will get things done!
Speaking of staying united, nothing will unite us better than food! Kumar bought us nasi lemak this morning in the office. It has been sooooo long I never see a packet nasi lemak like this & it tasted sooooo good! But mostly I miss this camaraderie of buying food for each other in the office.
Happy Friday everyone. Things are stabilizing now and I wish you, esp those in HR, do get to rest and don’t have to work this weekend anymore.
Bimbo
