HOW IS EVERYONE?

The pandemic has affected all of us in many and different ways across the Stena Sphere. And the fact that it now has been going on for a year is very tough. Many challenges follow as a consequence from the pandemic. Maria Holmberg, HR Director, Stena AB asked the HR Board to comment on the pandemic.

TRISH CRAIG, HR MANAGER, STENA DRILLING

At Stena Drilling the last year has been one of the most challenging in memory.  With the low oil price and a Global Pandemic we have seen contracts cancelled, vessels being down-manned and redundancies, flight restrictions, border closures and mandatory quarantines.  However there’s much to be positive about as the market has picked up, the oil price is on the rise and we have learned how to run our vessels COVID free by developing our own protocols.

HANNA SCHØNNEMANN, HEAD OF PEOPLE, STENA BULK

With employees in different locations across the world, the pandemic has affected us all in various/countless ways. Different countries – different measures. However, our work lives have been turned upside down as working from home, social distancing, home-schooling, split-teams and online meetings have become part of a reality which has brought both difficulties and challenges but also new ways of working and adapting. All learnings that in one way or the other will impact our ways of working once the vaccines kick in.

MARGARET MCFADZEAN, GROUP HEAD OF HR, NORTHERN MARINE GROUP

We have been in some form of lockdown for nearly one year, which is hard to believe! While the mass vaccination programme brings some light, it seems there is some way to go before we see any form of normality returning. Working in this environment has been cyclical, bringing different versions of opportunity and challenge. We have all found different ways to adapt and I think our own agility has been tested! It is imperative that we learn from this experience and even through the very dark times that the nation has experienced during the pandemic, I think we have all tried to focus on the good: the many things that this has expedited and the opportunities that we have seized, be it professional or personal. For me, this experience has cemented the importance of true collaboration and unity through our values. When this is strong, anything is possible.

IAN HAMPTON, CHIEF PEOPLE AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, STENA LINE GROUP

The COVID pandemic has shown us all the importance of our relationships; whether collegial or family. For some of our employees they have now been homeworking for one year. The mental effects of the pandemic has yet to be fully understood and may well take a number of months if not years to recover from those effects.

We have however within Stena Line seen that our people have across all the countries we operate show great resolve, dedication and commitment; the organization has needed to reshape to survive the effects of the pandemic, however for those employees whom remain as colleagues they have continued to serve our customers in to the best of their abilities.

Stena Line has physical not been immune to the pandemic, vessel have suffered acute outbreaks as have our offices.

Brighter days will come, opportunities for us all and for the company are waiting for us and we must all remain positive towards the future.

KRISTIN ARBY, MANAGER HR AND BUSINESS EXCELLENCE, STENA STÅL

A lot of our co-workers are working from home, with challenges related to changed ways of working, work environment and social distancing. We also have co-workers who can’t work from home. They are affected by challenges such as an increased workload and more risk of exposure of the virus.

Our challenges today still vary from workload to social distancing and not having full control over ‘what’s going to happen tomorrow’. All managers have made a risk assessment for their team, in this way we’ve been able to work proactively and reduce the risks as much as possible. Teamwork, shared learnings and activities with a common goal has been our best way to deal with our day to day challenges.

MARIE BERGSGÅRD, HR MANAGER, STENA FASTIGHETER

This has truly been a year of great challenges and change for all of us. Our learnings and experiences has been many. We have adjusted to more digital ways of working, meeting new requests and questions from both employees and customers, and in the same time trying to predict our future work place. But also fully understood how important human connection and collaboration are to us.

However, even if we are in the middle of the pandemic,  we must keep an eye on the future and plan ahead for the new normal. I think it is important that we all need some fun, inspirational things to look forward to when we can meet again.

LINDA MICKELSON, HEAD OF HR, STENA REDERI AB

The past year has shown us how important it is to be able to handle a crisis and help and support each other during hard times.

The pandemic has forced us to find new ways of working and learn how to handle digital meetings and working from home. Although the pandemic has brought something good in the ability to turn digital.

Unfortunately I think that we will suffer from the effects of not having social interaction and physical meetings were we can discuss problems and solve them over a cup of coffee. Hopefully this may change as the vaccination is in progress and we are able to meet again.

THANKS FOR READING THIS ARTICLE.
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