On March 15, 2020 I recall an email from our VP advising the entire department that we will start working from home indefinitely.
When we left work that Friday nobody had an idea we would get this news. We knew it was going to happen and we would get a heads up so we can “prepare” and take our files with us.
Things at work were going crazy. I work for a big fashion company and our customers(department stores- like Macy’s, Nordstrom’s) were cancelling their orders because all stores were closing. All non essential stores had close. It was chaotic.
A month later – the entire company gets a memo and about 90% of our department gets furloughed. The department of 80 is going on furlough except for 10 people. What a roller coaster- in the 11 years I have been with this company I never felt this uncertainty and the question we were ALL asking was, “Are we going to return to our jobs?”
As things were opening back again things at work were also getting busy. By June 2020 some people that were furloughed were returning to their positions- some managers were called back.
Transparency is key. I am happy how this company handle the situation. We had a call once a week with our director and gave us a update on the company and the plans to bring back employees.
We were returning to our position but not the office. not everyone was returning some were going to be let go. I was fortunate to return to my job in July. It took about 3 months for everyone to return.
As we head into the end of year and cases going up again. What is going to happen? Everyone is patiently waiting for January 1, 2021 like we are going to wake up and all will be gone. What are your thoughts and feelings?
Pam2k 