As a small business owner, it is always hard to step away from your business, especially in challenging times. Add to the mix two owners (husband and wife) who go on leave simultaneously!

However, we were extremely privileged to be on leave for four weeks to travel to Europe - originally planned before COVID-19 struck! Our break was only made possible by those in our amazing team, who allowed ‘Mum and Dad’ to go on leave(and I mean to step away entirely!).

Back in NZ, I’m sure we all hoped that by July 2024, the recruitment market would start to improve, not only for us but also for candidates, clients, and those working in and with the public sector. At present, we are all facing similar challenges, and at the risk of repeating the saying “be kind to one another,” this is worth remembering.

Clients and employers are under immense pressure to find savings while restructuring themselves, dealing with major impacts on their teams, their work, and their own roles. We know many people, some friends and whānau, who are facing losing their jobs and seeking re-employment.

They face a shortage of roles and immense competition for every role they apply for. Recruiters and those involved in the recruitment process are trying to support talented candidates in finding opportunities whilst managing huge volumes of applications, all the while dealing with a very quiet and uncertain market.

In our role, we advocate for candidates and clients, and we hear heart breaking stories every week. Behind all of this change, it’s important to remember that real people are impacted - whānau, friends, partners, and colleagues. Not only are people facing challenges at work, but they could also be facing all-encompassing personal challenges, be that illness, loss of loved ones, separation, unemployment, financial challenges, and so much more … the list is endless.

So, I guess the purpose of this post is to say - please try and remember that everyone is a human being, and people respond differently to pressure, stress and trauma. Everyone is doing the best they can, with the tools they have available in challenging situations. “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, be kind. Always” – Robin Williams.

I said in a previous post 'This too will pass' but my strong preference is by the end of July 2024 :).

This is a duck from Como, Italy.