I am not too proud to say that they have and not necessarily all in a positive way. My optimism remains relatively undented, however, my positive outlook is now being challenged. The term has now started again and my initial views of what I would be able to achieve are now significantly changed.
In theory, I have a lot more time on my hands as I don’t have to travel to work (well no further than up the stairs to my office, during which time I don’t encounter any traffic jams). This alone should, in theory, save me at least an hour a day. I also don’t travel between my schools - another saving of an hour or two each week - and there is no travelling to meetings either.
So, I ask myself, what am I doing with all of this valuable time I have gained back?
Everything takes so much longer!! Meetings continue to be scheduled and conducted remotely but it is the day to day contact that takes an inordinate amount of time. A quick trip down the office to have a conversation that clears up a myriad of questions now needs to be a meeting. Not only that, I can’t necessarily see if that person can have a conversation so I rely on an e-mail. Waiting for a reply holds that up. I’m sure you can see where I am going with this…
Additionally, all my colleagues have differing situations at home and whereas normally the working day ended at a set time, it now continues exponentially. Colleagues are working when they can which has extended the working day significantly. This is a concern for many of us, and managing expectations of yourself and your team becomes challenging, whilst reacting to and supporting your colleagues when you are available at different times is not easy. The temptation to work longer hours causes pressure and, subsequently, can create wellbeing issues.
I hadn’t recognised how much I still need to deal with paper, and sitting in front of a computer trying to cross-reference data, spreadsheets and directives are not easy (is it my age I ask?). Budget setting is particularly hard and the fact that my colleagues are not sitting opposite for me to check things and ask questions means that I am back to relying on answers by e-mail, and the same frustrations apply.
It isn’t all bad and I am one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have dependents at home. I do feel for those that are continually juggling those extra pressures and have a renewed respect for those who work like this all the time. It’s not the easy life that some might have thought!
I need, on the request of my Headteacher, to end on a quote, so here goes:
‘To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often’
Very apt in these circumstances!
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Sue currently works for The Malling School near Maidstone, Kent, and has been a School Business Manager since 2002