At EST10, we are ‘privileged’ to be at the coal face of the job market and experience its full force. I have heard and seen people’s tears and have witnessed their hopelessness, but to hear the word ‘worthy’ brought a whole new depth of awareness and understanding of what we are all experiencing.

Not to be patronising or even worse, ignorant, but if this is a new dimension to me, I can only imagine how protected from some of the raw realities, some parts of our society might be.

I say this in a non-judgmental way because if we are observers, it is hard to feel and know – as relating is thus limited, but we can all acknowledge it, share and learn from it.

We all know how crucial having ‘a job’ is, and I’m not just referring to the financial perspective. I am of the fortunate group that love not only their job, but love to work. I also know the critical link of self-esteem and self-worth to your job. I know this intuitively and experientially.

I have a neighbour in my street, who is in his 60’s and his job is delivering brochures to our mailboxes. I really admire him – he is out every day, rain, sweltering heat, no matter, he does his job, same times, every day. He seems outwardly happy, dresses beautifully for his job, often listening to music as he delivers. He has a purpose, feels he is needed, is contributing and has pride in his job. Plus, he has a ritual.

There is a direct link to higher depression rates with those unemployed versus those employed, and a further increase in depression rates for those deemed, ‘long term unemployed,’ which is 27 weeks and over and is now an unfortunate reality in our current time. With unemployment rates being higher than that during the GFC, I think we all need to be mindful and aware of the heightened stressful times we are all in.

Given it is R U OK? day on Thursday 10^th September, I thought it prudent to write this blog to encourage us all to be aware and ask if people are indeed ok. Just the act of asking can be enough to set a tone or shift in outlook, for the person receiving the question, but also you, the person asking. Your demeanour, care and even smile can make a difference.

I do think we all have genuine human responsibilities to each other. We are more similar than we often dare to admit to ourselves. If we look at some essential desires that we all hold as crucial for our psychological and mental well-being, we can see that actually – we all pretty much need and want the same things.

It is my wish that at EST10, we operate in a spiritually conscious manner and do what we do for a higher purpose. The people that work at EST10 are employed based on their core values. We know we can’t help everyone find a job, but we want to make sure, our candidates and clients know they are important to us – and that we do ‘see’ and ‘hear’ them.  We do want to be their witnesses so that no one is feeling lonely or invisible or even worse – isolated.

I am grateful to have received such a beautiful, thoughtful and emotion provoking email. It has caused me to delve even further into the psyche of our audience, and I can only keep serving our clients and candidates at a high level if I understand better and stay connected.

“True human connection is found at the level of pure consciousness.”― Patrick Zeis