As part of a Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) webinar entitled How to Stay Well in a Time of Crisis, questions around work-life balance were posed to participants. Designed to provide guidance on member wellbeing through the coronavirus pandemic, the short survey addressed stress and coping strategies.
Almost half (47%) of respondents said they are currently facing issues affecting their work-life balance, however 89% stated they are “somewhat confident” about coping with the stress caused.
Sam Watkins, chair of the Vehicle Remarketing Association, commented: “The sample size for this was small, restricted to VRA members with around 20 people responding - but it does provide a useful indication of the how people in our sector are coping through current conditions.
“Overall, the survey chimes with the mood of the webinar itself, members are currently under quite a lot of pressure, but the majority believe that they are coping. What we are trying to do is signpost support for those who are perhaps struggling a little.”
Participants were asked about their individual coping strategies. The answers ranged from taking up golfing, to buying a new motorbike, and ‘spending time with friends.’
Those that mentioned any issues they felt most affected by cited things such as a lack of control over their future, uncertainty and a feeling as though events were out of their control.
Elaborating on the findings, Watkins said: “What seems to be the case is that a lot of people have developed individual coping mechanisms and that most of them are good solutions – but a few are certainly feeling the pressure. We hope that the webinar was useful to them and that if they feel they need further support, that they can reach out.”
The webinar included guest speakers to talked about their own experiences as well as offering guidance and support. These included Prash Kotecha of Mantra Consulting, who spoke on reducing stress and building resilience, and Rachel Clift, health and wellbeing director at automotive industry charity Ben, who clarified the support and services that are available.
Two VRA members Derren Martin and James Davis also opened up, speaking about their own experiences of stress and resilience. Martin of Cap HPI shared his battle against prostate cancer and Davis of Cox Automotive on the stigma of mental health in the workplace.
Watkins said hearing VRA members talk about issues they had experience and how they overcame them, was “very powerful”.
