Across the organization, Metro Transit employees’ work has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These "In This Together" Q&As illustrate how employees are adapting both on and off the clock. Read more interviews here.
How has the pandemic affected your day-to-day work?
The pandemic has impacted what I am working on as well as delayed some significant projects. It takes a lot more time to manage staff you don’t see on a regular basis, although we have all become much better with Teams (for online meetings). I spend a lot more time in meetings and responding to emails on things that were previously handled with a call or quick stop by someone’s desk to discuss. I have always had plenty to do, but the urgency and importance has increased even more as we worked to quickly respond to sudden changes in ridership, travel demand, and resources.
What’s it like working through a pandemic?
I would have never thought I had the discipline to work from home full-time, as well as make the transition away from paper, but both have happened. The first few weeks were the toughest, as I rely on routine and have most of my social interactions through work. I do like the extra sleep I get from not having to spend time commuting and getting ready each day! My husband is also working from home. Initially we were both working from the dining room table, which was a little too close, but now I have migrated to a card table in our guest bedroom. Now when I come downstairs for lunch, I can actually ask him how his day is going because I haven’t been right next to time for every... single... second. Getting a printer and bringing home my desk chair has helped, too.
How has your life changed outside of work?
I really like to travel, so mostly staying home this summer has been disappointing. One of the highlights of my summer was attending the APTA Multimodal Operations Workshop (I’m the past chair) and hanging out with my counterparts from other transit agencies, but that event was held virtually this year. We bought a new car during the shutdown (paying motor vehicle sales tax supports transit!) and have done a lot of home projects. I have been running more outside and doing some online workouts on Zoom, as well as meeting friends from the Y for outdoor boot camp on Saturday mornings. I don’t have children, so I haven’t had to coordinate work and home-schooling together. I do like the flexibility of going for a walk in the middle of the day or having the Twins game on TV as I work.