What we’ve learnt in 2020 at White Label

As a recruitment company, White Label is all about people. Our teams love to find our clients the best possible people for their organisations, whether that’s in the Engineering, Manufacturing or Technical Sales industries.

The hard work and dedication that our people put into their roles, means that we care about them and their wellbeing above all else.

2020 has been an… ‘interesting’ year for all of us and we have all faced challenges and hardships we previously wouldn’t have believed possible. This is why we have done so much to try and support our people and their mental wellbeing this year, alongside looking after their physical health as well.

Our Christmas Mental Health Campaign (#DoOneThingDecember) was inspired by Mind’s World Mental Health Day initiative to #DoOneThing and is designed to encourage our dedicated recruitment consultants to do something that will ultimately bring on the ‘feel-good’ factor.

As usual, our teams have got behind our initiative with gusto and it really has given us that festive and joyous feeling!

We spoke to two of our team, Rachael and Hollie, about what the initiative means to them, and how they have been affected by 2020. From morning workouts to an appreciation of local nature and a determination to relax and slow down the fast pace of life, they are both emerging from this year stronger than ever before.

Hollie Burt, Principal Consultant

How has the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 affected you?

At the start of the year, I was left feeling anxious about what lay ahead for family, friends and myself. As much as the pandemic hasn’t allowed me to live out the year I had planned for and has robbed me of precious time with my family, I’m so thankful to come out of it mostly unscathed.

Have there been any positives that have emerged unexpectedly from the measures we have had to adhere to this year?

As tough as this year has been, the lockdown and reduced social measures we have had to adhere to have meant that I have spent a lot more time outdoors, walking and enjoying what my local area has to offer, which is something I completely took for granted before.

Has your mental health been impacted by the pressures of lockdown and remote working?

At the very start when we went into lockdown and had to work from home, I really struggled. My mental health took a serious downturn – I think it was a combination of:

• Not knowing how long it would go on for
• Not being prepared or equipped to work from home for longer than a day or two
• How much I missed the interaction with my colleagues.

As time went on and once I got myself a much better working-from-home setup, I became more open to it and a lot more productive. However, I would still definitely rather be in a busy sales office!

How has your wider network (family, friends, colleagues) been affected by the turbulence of this year?

I think the biggest person in my life this has affected has been my sister. She had her first baby in March and the turbulence of the year has stolen a lot of those precious moments that any first-time mum should experience with their family and friends. I’m currently focused on making Christmas and the next few months as special as possible for her to make up for it.

I know some of my colleagues have been affected quite badly during this year and have struggled with anxiety which has been really unfortunate. I know that as a company, White Label is brilliant at offering support (both internally and externally) to anyone affected in this way and It makes me feel fortunate to work for a company like this.

Have you made any changes this year in regard to looking after your mental and physical health?

This has probably been the most transformational year for me as far as physical health. At the beginning of April, I started doing some online workouts and I definitely became one of those “Lockdown Athletes” having never done a home workout in my life. As the days and weeks went on, I could see my fitness and strength improving (slowly) and it’s become something I still do now-3/4 times a week before work and I really enjoy it.

For my mental health, I think this year has given me real space. I had time to reflect and recognise when my mental health needs work, and I think I’ve got better at spotting my ‘triggers’ and to make sure I’m speaking to someone or doing something to prevent those occasions creeping in.

What is one good thing to come out of 2020?

My appreciation for what I have in terms of a career, a strong friendship group and supportive family. I have taken more time out to spend time and build relationships and it’s something that I don’t want to take for granted ever again.

What learning will you be taking from this year into 2021 with you?

I’ve learnt to prioritise Health and Wellbeing over everything else. If I’m honest it’s always previously taken a backseat to my “busy” life, but I’ve realised that focusing on it and being consistent has a hugely positive knock-on effect on everything else.

Also, I’ll never take a holiday for granted ever again!

What does #DoOneThingDecember mean to you?

It means taking time out each day to make a conscious effort to do something for someone else or for myself – it’s about spending time in the present rather than getting swept up in the December madness.

Rachael Dormer, Managing Business Partner

How has the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 affected you?

It’s made me reassess what’s important in life and what things don’t actually matter. I’ve really learnt to slow down in life and can now appreciate that I don’t need to be so busy.

I think the most amazing thing has been that after slowing down with no commute, no drinking and more exercise, I naturally got pregnant!

Have there been any positives that have emerged unexpectedly from the measures we have had to adhere to this year?

I think just as I have said above – I’ve learnt to work-out in the mornings and get up earlier, I can relax a lot more at home and I enjoy a slower pace of life. I’ve discovered some new walks where I live that I would’ve never have known about and I’ve saved money!

Has your mental health been impacted by the pressures of lockdown and remote working?

At first, I was incredibly anxious about my job and how long was this going to last. Because of all the uncertainty, I decided to go alcohol-free for a month to help and this has resulted in my coping mechanisms improving!

I also initially found remote working really difficult, but I think that’s because the market was quiet too. Since the market has improved it has been much easier to work from home.

How has your wider network (family, friends, colleagues) been affected by the turbulence of this year?

It’s been a real mix; some have coped better than others but it’s fair to say it has impacted everyone. I’ve found it especially hard that I haven’t been able to see friends and family or do things for them when they’ve needed cheering up.

Have you made any changes this year in regard to looking after your mental and physical health?

• I work-out in the mornings after reading Hal Elrod’s book ‘The Morning Miracle’
• I meditate and do yoga and know I have to do this weekly
• I listen to wellbeing podcasts weekly on different topics fitness, mental health, happiness, imposter syndrome and how to cope with being a new mum
• I exercise at least 5 days a week
• I do one walk each week
• I’m more in-tune with the moon and how its cycle can really impact my mood

What is one good thing to come out of 2020?

Getting pregnant naturally!

What learning will you be taking from this year into 2021 with you?

All of it! Some of the stand out learnings are:

• An appreciation for money, work and my support network
• Not booking myself up months in advance
• Not spending my money on unnecessary things like getting my nails done twice a month, hair every 6 weeks.
• Holidays – I will really value these a lot more

What does #DoOneThingDecember mean to you?

I know this time of year can hard on people for lots of different reasons. If I can do something for someone else to make them smile or make things easier for them for a moment or for a day, that makes me happy. I genuinely like helping people and it hurts me to know others are suffering

How you can #DoOneThingDecember

Do you want to get involved and #DoOneThingDecember? This could be as simple as giving extra support to your friends and family, prioritising your own mental health, or even getting involved with one of these fantastic organisations:

• Do-it.org is a database of UK volunteering opportunities. It is committed to helping the thousands of organisations that are at the heart of our communities – the sports clubs, the arts and culture institutions, and charities.
• Join-in runs volunteering projects as a legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Contact them to find out about how to get involved with local sporting and community projects.
• Find a local Food Bank through The Trussel Trust and start donating food or your time to stop hunger in the UK.