Repeated lockdowns and then the after lockdown significant catch-up workloads for customers who missed services and WOF’s during lockdowns can take its toll on your team. As the business owner you not only face these stresses yourself but the financial stresses of keeping the business operating – especially as if you are like many SME business owners where your own financial security and even your house may be on the line as security for business finances or personal guarantees you have provided for premises leases.

The wage subsidy helped last year and for businesses such as automotive servicing that essentially are closed at Level 4 this will have helped again, but after multiple lockdowns your financial resources are probably running low and your mental health resources are probably in a similar state.

A bit like the bank account, if you keep having to dip into your mental resilience on a repeated basis it starts to take a toll. The enforced time at home, often with extra childcare and the lack of activity can also be tough on people. If any of your team live on their own, lockdowns may be extra hard for them.

During lockdown and when back at work check in with your team on how they are coping.

It's also worth taking some of Jacinda’s mantra of being kind and applying it to yourself. You don’t have to be a superhero, take a walk, read a book or just chill out a bit each day – in other words give yourself a break. Maybe have a treat food from time to time and try and limit drinking to stay healthy.

If you are not able to work maybe you can do some online learning – whether work or personal related – maybe learn some Te Reo or sign language, brush up on some of the computer programs you use, diagnostics training or see what else is available. 

On a parting note, mental health is a part of Health and Safety so apart from being a good thing to do, it also helps meet these obligations.