These are strange times we live in.
I think that might just go down as an understatement. Over the last two years life has changed for so many of us, in so many ways that it became almost unrecognisable.
Normality, that ever-changing concept, mutated so quickly and so completely that it seemed nothing would ever be quite the same again.
And then, of course, it goes and changes all over again.
Plus Or Minus
To be fair, this is more of a reset than a brand new brand new. With the Covid pandemic in somewhat of an abatement phase, or at least, being downplayed and ignored enough by the media to appear so (/cynicism), life is beginning to resemble something quite close to what it was before. Something which, at least in my opinion, has both positive and negative connotations.
On the plus side, it means that we can, at last, get on with life. We can get out, meet people, and do things. For instance, in the last couple of weeks, even this unsociable stay-at-home-Stewie has met up with friends, been out for a meal with family (that’s Tina, my wonder-wifey’s side of the fam), enjoyed a coffee and a homemade pizza, also with family (my parents, sister, and disarmingly charming nephews), been to church (yuck), and had a meal and watched the footy at my lovely sister-in-laws.
Out And About
It’s a packed social calendar, that’s for sure, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel some MS-y style ill effect in the first couple of days of the week (tiredness, a bit of brain-fog). Luckily, a little R+R and the familiarity of my own four walls seems to have dealt with that in time for our scheduled trip to the cinema today and the planned meet up with more friends on Friday, after which I’ve got my eye on a couple more days where I stay in and don’t people.
But, yes. Fatigue aside, it’s been nice to spend time with people whose time and company I value. So, what could possibly be the downside?
Well, for me, it’s the readiness to go back to exactly the way things were pre-pandemic without the hindsight to learn some of the lessons those years might have provided.
Back To work
Already the cry from politicians and business leaders alike, has been for workers, who for the last couple of years have been working from home, to return to the office.
In some cases, such a cry is one that should be heeded. Some jobs are better performed in a team driven, centralized environment. In other cases, however, there are job-roles that can be ably and efficiently performed with less or no need for such close working relationships. In short, there are jobs that can be done safely, productively, and in some cases, better, from home.
Why do I think this is a big thing? Well, for one, it means less traffic on the road, which in these times of carbon-neutrality, is a win. It also increases flexibility, especially when such things as childcare, or people with mental or physical health issues are taken into account, and by the same token can broaden the workforce to include people who would otherwise find work impossible.
All of this seems to have been overlooked, however, in favour of the more centralised, overseen model of the past. It is as if some workplaces are scared to offer people the freedom and autonomy that working from home provides, for fear that if the man with the bullwhip isn’t prowling the boat, the oarsmen will stop pulling.
Lost And Found
Is this true? Well, perhaps. I think we’ve all encountered people who get away with doing as little as possible, and those people would undoubtedly exploit anything that enabled them to do even less. I think such 'workers' would quickly get found out, however, just as they’re found out in the office. Weeding out the bad seeds, offering incentives for productivity, and making your workforce feel valued and trusted, as always, is the key to managing this, and I can see no difference in that wherever the job is done.
But first… the cinema and Doctor Strange!!!
Until next time
***
Hey, folks! If you would care to take a look at some of my more creative writing, then the links below will transport you to the magical worlds of two anthologies my short (and in two cases, very short) stories have been included in. Feel free to check ’em out!
New Tales Of Old: Volume 2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09TMVTX9H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Death Ship
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9198684140/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_TWEMTA3KWK7T89QEZPF6?fbclid=IwAR322Fx5nfgVUQAA62ZZ6CUsNnBm8pbSxPanzz6Qkjg3vAv4ESipq7iKKhs
https://www.waterstones.com/book/death-ship/david-green/s-o-green/9789198684148?fbclid=IwAR2gP4CXHSG7wTccO39wOqXFtI81k0259Ep8DUM48Ki6kTUdlKoF3yafojA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9198684140/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2XZ7JICGUQ1CX&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR2Wa6sGxb82_VCsC7l1CGXwHjsSwTheqba6jDX_G8EDsywZoGpC93nXr2w
Reaperman
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reaperman-Drabbles-3-Legends-Night-ebook/dp/B099NNPTQ1A
Pestilence
In some cases, such a cry is one that should be heeded. Some jobs are better performed in a team driven, centralized environment. In other cases, however, there are job-roles that can be ably and efficiently performed with less or no need for such close working relationships. In short, there are jobs that can be done safely, productively, and in some cases, better, from home.
Why do I think this is a big thing? Well, for one, it means less traffic on the road, which in these times of carbon-neutrality, is a win. It also increases flexibility, especially when such things as childcare, or people with mental or physical health issues are taken into account, and by the same token can broaden the workforce to include people who would otherwise find work impossible.
All of this seems to have been overlooked, however, in favour of the more centralised, overseen model of the past. It is as if some workplaces are scared to offer people the freedom and autonomy that working from home provides, for fear that if the man with the bullwhip isn’t prowling the boat, the oarsmen will stop pulling.
Lost And Found
Is this true? Well, perhaps. I think we’ve all encountered people who get away with doing as little as possible, and those people would undoubtedly exploit anything that enabled them to do even less. I think such 'workers' would quickly get found out, however, just as they’re found out in the office. Weeding out the bad seeds, offering incentives for productivity, and making your workforce feel valued and trusted, as always, is the key to managing this, and I can see no difference in that wherever the job is done.
So yes, in the interest of pulling some good from the pandemic, let’s learn the lessons it has imparted. Let’s retain the practices, habits, and innovations which have got us through the last two years and take them with us as we look towards a post-pandemic future together.
But first… the cinema and Doctor Strange!!!
Until next time
***
Hey, folks! If you would care to take a look at some of my more creative writing, then the links below will transport you to the magical worlds of two anthologies my short (and in two cases, very short) stories have been included in. Feel free to check ’em out!
New Tales Of Old: Volume 2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09TMVTX9H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Death Ship
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9198684140/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_TWEMTA3KWK7T89QEZPF6?fbclid=IwAR322Fx5nfgVUQAA62ZZ6CUsNnBm8pbSxPanzz6Qkjg3vAv4ESipq7iKKhs
https://www.waterstones.com/book/death-ship/david-green/s-o-green/9789198684148?fbclid=IwAR2gP4CXHSG7wTccO39wOqXFtI81k0259Ep8DUM48Ki6kTUdlKoF3yafojA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9198684140/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2XZ7JICGUQ1CX&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR2Wa6sGxb82_VCsC7l1CGXwHjsSwTheqba6jDX_G8EDsywZoGpC93nXr2w
Reaperman
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reaperman-Drabbles-3-Legends-Night-ebook/dp/B099NNPTQ1A
Pestilence
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pestilence-Revelations-Black-Ink-Fiction/dp/B09MDLZGHY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=13JGKDUCJ4U4I&keywords=Black+Ink+fiction&qid=1652288836&sprefix=black+ink+fiction%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-3
The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu In The Court Of King Louis
The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu In The Court Of King Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment