Page 13 - Staff FocusSeptember 2020

Steep learning curve for new SBMs – but it hasn’t been all bad

Starting a new job is stressful enough at ‘I’m confident job both easier and harder in different
any time but when COVID-19 struck it the changes ways,” said Neil. “Ensuring staff are safe
added to the spice for the three new and protected was always part of the role
Sheriffdom Business Managers who took we are making but is now the single most important
up their posts earlier this year. We asked will be for the consideration each day”.
them what it has been like. better’ More than 6 months on everyone is still
Lynne learning and adapting to new systems and
For Lynne Pettigrew, SSDG SBM, it was a Pettigrew responding to situations as they develop.
baptism of fire: “I took up the role on 23 “I am sure that for many of us our day-to-
March 2020 which was the week of ‘Ensuring staff day work will look very different from what
lockdown. Closing courts and setting up are safe is the it looked like pre-COVID but I am confident
the hub courts was without doubt the that the changes we are making will be for
biggest challenge I faced. Plans were single most the better,” said Lynne. “I can say it has
continually changing to react to important been challenging and, at times, stressful
Government advice and I wondered if this consideration’ but also rewarding and exciting.”
was a test of my resilience being taken a Neil Laura has also enjoyed seeing colleagues
step too far! However, with the support of Christie return from lockdown. “It’s been great to
the previous SBM, Sheriff Clerks and staff we implemented the guidance see so many people pull together as a team under what have been some very anxious
provided and we learned how to perform our day-to-day jobs in a very different way. and difficult times. That we worked together to continue to deliver essential business,
“It was also great to see the strong relationships develop between staff in the hub and then gradually increase this to bring other business back in over the course of such a
courts. I witnessed some tears and virtual hugs when staff were returning to local courts short period of time has been a huge achievement.”
which was very touching and lovely to see.” And the challenges keep on coming, Neil has found that speed has been of the essence
Neil Christie (Glasgow and Strathkelvin) and Laura McGeary (GH&I) both agreed it was a through the past months but it brings its own problems. “From a business perspective,
rollercoaster ride. “It’s been a steep learning curve with little time to catch my breath the pace of change has meant some staff have not had the chance to consider, prepare
over the past few months,” said Neil. “I was Sheriff Clerk in a hub court before taking up for, and adapt to new ways of working and this remains challenging. Personally, not
post,” said Laura, “and – while it didn’t always feel like it at the time – this was really being able to physically interact with staff as I would have done pre-COVID has made
valuable experience in terms of understanding the immense challenges facing taking over this new role a bit harder.”
operations during the lockdown arrangements. Lynne added: “Keeping up to date with all the changes to both civil and criminal procedure
“It was a big change to take up my new post and shift from focussing on the immediate and processes has been challenging and I was very conscious of the volume of emails and
day-to-day priorities of being a Sheriff Clerk to considering the ever-changing priorities of a guidance I was sharing with staff and expecting them to keep abreast of. Due to the
whole new sheriffdom at such a strategic level with different teams, judiciary and estate.” restrictions on travel and social distancing, meetings and team briefings with the senior
The suddenness of the crisis inevitably brought change at a bewildering rate which has management team are having to take place virtually, which is certainly not the same.
been a challenge to react to. “Just like everyone else working in the courts, the nature of “The pandemic has also created pressures in people’s lives both at home and work and it
the job has changed considerably as a result of COVID-19 with technology making our