As of today, ERTEs already number 260,000 and affect 1.8 million people.
- My company has announced an ERTE.
- What I should do during the ERTE.
- My tricks for keeping busy and staying POSITIVE.
- Conclusion
My company has just announced an ERTE
and now what?
We're facing an unprecedented global emergency, and the government has issued a decree-law that aims to protect employment and the viability of companies once we get past this situation. After "coronavirus," it's the most repeated word these days: the ERTE.
Until a few days ago most of us mere mortals didn't know the acronym ERTE (temporary workforce restructuring plan / furlough scheme); we only knew the acronym ERE (permanent workforce restructuring plan). So, given the circumstances, we can say this is the "least bad" thing that could happen to us.
Right now everyone's objective is very basic: SURVIVE. As people and as business owners, it's that simple—if we don't manage to stop this health epidemic, there will be no society, no market worth anything in which to develop our businesses. So we have to do something fundamental: go back to first principles, to values, to solidarity, to generosity. Now is when all of us, without exception, must row in the same direction: protect life.
Spain's business fabric is held up by SMEs—largely small and medium-sized companies—which means that even in a financially solid company, everything has its limit. If your sales have vanished, your customers can't meet their payments, and your fixed costs are still just that—fixed—well, it's mathematics...
A very simple analogy: I can hold my breath for 10 seconds no problem, 20 seconds, even 30 seconds, but if I have to reach 60 seconds I'm going to have a really hard time. Well, this is the same—my cashflow is my "oxygen."
The CEO's main duty is to protect the company's survival at all costs, and that means protecting its "oxygen."
After seeing the government's dismal management, the colossal blunders and lapses of common sense they've committed, as a businesswoman and someone responsible for the company I have little faith in those governing. I only trust myself and the board I'm part of.
First premise: if your company has carried out an ERTE, don't panic; they're protecting your job.
That said, it doesn't mean you won't be afraid, anxious, or feel lost in the face of this situation that's unknown to all of us.
The definition of a V.U.C.A. world (see fig. 1) has fallen short for us.
What should I do during the ERTE?
The answer is very simple: BE POSITIVE.
Negative, catastrophic thoughts get us nowhere; the important thing isn't to worry—it's to take action!
yeah, but the thing is I'm going to earn less!
True, but you're going to keep your job. You'll have to tighten your belt, but you'll also be at home and your spending on leisure will drop a lot. If you have kids, they're surely spending less too: less school supplies, no birthday gifts, they don't wear out shoes, etc. :)
What do I have to do during the ERTE?
Do I have to do anything? Do I need to go to the unemployment office?
The answer is no; your company will take care of everything. You'll simply receive the benefit, which will be 70% of your taxable base. Some companies top up the salary; that depends on each individual situation.
can I object to the ERTE?
If it's a collective measure, no.
Does it affect the whole workforce?
It affects all those who cannot perform their work; in our case, the sales staff.
My tricks for staying busy and being positive:
- Set goals: Daily ones are mandatory; medium- and long-term ones you can leave more on stand-by. Make a checklist at the end of the day and check what you've accomplished. It's important that you grow as a person and as a professional during these days. It could even be a job-interview question: "what did you do during lockdown?"—the answer will give us a very clear idea of the kind of professional in front of us.
- Keep a routine: pajamas are forbidden! I mentioned it in the previous post on "how to take care of yourself from home". It's important not to fall into neglect; our mood is closely tied to what we see in the mirror, to what we project. Good self-care lifts our spirits, and good spirits improve our defenses. What's more, working from home all day is just as bad as being idle, glued to social media—which is over-saturated these days. Plan your daily schedule; there's time for everything. Try to be available while your boss is working, set aside some time for yourself, for exercise, for reading, for meditating, for planning balanced meals.
- Don't switch off: this time is worth gold, make the most of it. Now is when bosses see the team's commitment and involvement. There are those who bring out the best in themselves—they analyze their strategy, their territory, their clients; some even provide global solutions to headquarters, propose new ideas, offer their support and stay connected to the team.
- The thing is, I can't concentrate....normal. It's much harder for all of us to focus; our habits have changed overnight. But this isn't going to change—it's going to last us a good few more weeks—so you have to find tricks that help you concentrate. The ideal is to do short periods of focus: 45 minutes focused on one topic, phone set aside; we're over-saturated with information. Give yourself "rewards" if you manage to finish a task—you can have a coffee and look out the window for a while or skim the day's news. Little by little you'll get used to it and become more productive.
- Write in your logbook how you feel. Even the most optimistic person in the world is feeling a whirlwind of emotions: fear, anger, anguish, despair... we can go from laughter to tears in an instant. It's normal—don't hide it, share it. We're people and we have feelings.
- Get excited: make a list of everything you want to do when you come out of lockdown and visualize yourself doing it!, my list:
- exercise outdoors
- play soccer with your kids
- go grab some beers with friends
- a romantic dinner with your partner
- take that trip that was left pending
- buy yourself some cheerful clothes
- go out to eat with your family
- visit your friend who had a baby in the middle of covid-19
- get ready for the birthdays coming up
- think about how you'll celebrate your birthday if it hasn't passed yet
- go to the beach
- visit your family
- stroll around your city
- visit your favorite bookshop
The true worth of people shows when our strength wavers, when things go wrong. When everything is going well it's very easy to be wonderful, but life sometimes tests you, and that's when we bring out our true selves.
Here's the inspiring video by Barbara Fredrickson, professor of psychology and author of several books; my favorite is POSITIVITY
and remember, this will pass and there's one fewer day to go today!
if you liked it, leave us your comments. :)
Woman&Business
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