A New Starter Under Shutdown
Life has changed dramatically for us all over the last weeks but starting a new job whilst under shutdown presents special challenges.
Usually when starting a new job, the first few days are a sensory experience as much as any; the sights, the smells and the feel of the new company and its employees.
Meeting the people and observing the culture of the business, learning who has which mug and who likes milk in their tea. You have a 1-2-1 with your line manager and then sit with other colleagues to go over their responsibilities before plunging in at the deep end and attempting to embed yourself in the team.
Not today however, not under ‘the new normal’.
Natalie Mockett joined us at the end of March, just after the ‘lock down’ was ordered by the PM. Our founding director Vanessa went to meet her under the new social distancing measure in a neutral location, a Tesco car park. Unfortunately, the police had opened a roadblock to stop motorists and enquire as to their journey, which was entirely justifiable as Vanessa was travelling with a bag full of Moon Collateral as well as a brand-new laptop at 7am. Vanessa said ‘the police were so lovely and understood why I was making the necessary journey for our ‘new start’ and wished Natalie a great first day’.
Vanessa writes:
A very warm welcome to Natalie from us all
I was so concerned that Natalie would quickly become part of the team and feel welcomed from day one. When we met in Tesco, I made sure we were the requisite 2 metres apart and sanitised and wiped down the laptop bag and Moon stationery, pens etc before I handed them to Natalie. We also made sure the laptop and bag had been cleaned thoroughly before she collected those. I had sent Natalie’s induction documents as well as all contact numbers via email the Friday before in case of any access issues. Luckily all went very smoothly, and Natalie was up and running that day. She and I video talk every day on Whatsapp and Microsoft teams, and she has quickly immersed herself into the ‘Moon family’. At the last quiz we were all very jealous as she looked to be on the beach, until we realised, she had added a virtual beach backdrop to her video screen!
Natalie writes:
Certainly a unique way on join a new company….
The Tesco car park handover will be first day to remember! Whilst I have worked from home in other roles, it has not been for an extended period of time. So, although the home office setup isn’t a new environment to me, it’s certainly a unique way on join a new company. I have had a very warm and welcoming start and I can’t thank everyone at Moon enough for that. There have been lots of video calls which I think really help in times like this and while most are business related, the occasional quiz is bringing a fun social angle to help me get to know everyone a bit better.
When things go back to ‘normal’ (whatever that may be) and we are allowed to return to the office, I’m sure those ‘first day feelings’ will probably bubble up as I familiarise myself with the office workings, I’ll soon learn do they do tea rounds? Or can I sneak one in for myself? and of course I am looking forward to tackling one of the most talked about tasks of my role….Vanessa’s handwriting!