On the day that Belgian schools went into lockdown, Laure Staelens started her new job as a communications officer in the Study Information and Recruitment Service. Even today, she still hasn’t met her colleagues, which makes it difficult to establish a bond. “If you’ve never met someone before, it’s a bit strange to ask them how they’re doing.”
Laure worked just two days in a deserted office so that two of her colleagues could show her around and help her get her laptop set up. Then she started working from home too. Not an ideal way to start a new job. “I was hired to organise open days for students. I found it difficult to get everything straight in my mind, especially in those first few days. So many people were calling me, both from the central services and from the faculties. It would have been easier if I could’ve put faces to the names. I also had to teach myself how to use InDesign. I managed it, but it would have been much easier just to take a course.”
The organisation of the second online open day on 25 April was a baptism of fire for Laure. “A month before, the communications team had put together the first online open day in just a few days – hats off to them. So the basics were ready, but it was up to me to finish off the preparations for that second open day. Actually, it was new to everyone. In that sense, it felt less like I was taking over someone’s job and more like starting a brand new one.”
Getting to know each other via WhatsApp
Luckily, her colleagues were mindful of her special situation. “On one of the first days, Ann Segers from the Communications Department asked my immediate colleagues to introduce themselves and share photos of themselves on the WhatsApp group. That was really thoughtful. And all the people I’ve been in contact with have always been kind and helpful. But I haven’t really got to know them yet. Skype meetings are handy, but they can’t replace seeing people face to face. You can’t just have a normal chat. If you’ve never met someone before, it’s a bit strange to ask them how they’re doing.”
The contrast with her previous job as a freelance television editor couldn’t be bigger. Back then she worked long days in a small team and was in close contact with programme candidates. Exciting work, but there was hardly any time left for a social life. “That’s why I decided to move to a different sector and I’m still happy with that choice. I have a good feeling about this job and I’ve already learnt a lot. But I am looking forward to working in the office again, because of the contact with colleagues – that’s the best thing about a job after all – and also because I miss having a normal routine. I have learnt to enjoy the benefits of working from home though, like being able to get up later and work in joggers, for example (laughs).”