INDUSTRY NEWS
COVID-19 HAS CREATED A CRISIS LIKE NO OTHER AND CIOB MEMBERS HAVE HAD TO ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES...
www.ciob.org
SARAH SHARPE MCIOB ROLE: Member of the CIOB Belfast Hub committee DAY JOB: TECHNICAL MANAGER AT SODEXO
GERARD GRAHAM FCIOB ROLE: Member of the CIOB Belfast Hub committee DAY JOB: PRINCIPAL OF GERARD GRAHAM CONSULTING
COMMENT: I arrived into work on Wednesday, March 18, following a long weekend break for St Patrick’s Day. My return to work in the office was to be short-lived. That same day I was instructed to work from home until further notice. As an infrastructure support service provider it is imperative we continue to maintain our property
COMMENT: On the day the
Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, announced that schools in The Republic of Ireland were closing, I was in the offices of QMAC Construction Ltd. The ping of notification came through my BBC App, and straightaway everyone knew that this was big news. That schools in Northern Ireland would follow suit was inevitable. In the days that followed, I found that everyone was approaching the crisis in a remarkably
portfolio, to ensure it remains safe and
Gerard Graham FCIOB. Member of the CIOB Belfast Hub Committee and Principal of Gerard Graham Consulting
Sarah Sharpe MCIOB, Member of the CIOB Belfast Hub Committee and Technical Manager at Sodexo
compliant. It was also a particularly challenging time for our organisation
as we were in the middle of a transfer of undertakings (TUPE) process. Despite the unique circumstances, we have a new management team that has succeeded in the launch and mobilisation of our contract whilst being detached from us all. Thanks to technology, we have all been able to continue with our meetings and team conferences. It has been an adjustment working alone, rather than having a vast team of people around, but we have continued to support and encourage each other. We have also maintained routine, structure and focus. I am reminded constantly that we are all in this together, and that together we can continue to deliver a service, albeit through extraordinarily, difficult and unfamiliar conditions.
calm way. People who I had been working and liaising with in various companies all arranged for access to their company server to facilitate working remotely. In fact, I have been surprised at just how quickly people have adapted. The initial Zoom call I dialled into was something of a novelty, but thereafter it quickly became the new norm. Things have certainly changed, but I try to maintain a structured 9 to 5 work day. Of course, now that my 5-year old son is not at school I set aside time, usually about 1pm each day, to play football with him in the garden. It’s been precious family time, time together that might never have happened without the current crisis - so every cloud.
What is theCIOB
• The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. • The CIOB was established in London in 1834 as the Builders Society • The CIOB has 45,000 members and branches in over 100 countries world-wide • To learn more about The Chartered Institute of Building visit www.ciob.org
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