EQ at home – Mark Gallacher

At EQ, our people are at the heart of what we do.

Although working from home means we are physically spread across our regions, our team are working hard to maintain regular communication with their clients whilst continuing to support colleagues by connecting with them daily.

We caught up with Mark Gallacher, Partner from our Cupar office, to find out more about his experience working from home.

How are you finding working remotely?

It’s a bit of a mixed bag to be honest. I’m really missing my colleagues, we have a lot of laughs as well as working hard when we are in the office. Our IT team, amongst others, have done such a brilliant job setting up remote access and linking our phones, that we are pretty much able to do everything at home. Being one of the more experienced members of the team, I’m not quite as savvy with new technology as the youngsters so I’ve probably had my hand held more than others. We’ve always had a brilliant support network at EQ and it’s been exceptional over the last few weeks.

Working in jeans and t-shirt is also great and I don’t have to shave every day either!

What are you doing to keep in touch with the rest of the EQ team?

We’re in daily contact by phone calls, conference calls and emails. There is plenty of support available to ensure work carries on.

Apparently I haven’t mastered the art of getting all my chins on the screen during our team conference calls, but I’m sure everyone can live with that.

We’re also going to have a Cupar office quiz later in the week so that should be good fun.

How are you looking after your emotional well being?

I always thought I was a bit unsociable, however I’ve really missed meeting up with people.

We usually have a big family tea on Sundays with my sons, their partners and the grandkids. Not getting to cuddle the children is what I miss most.

Keeping in touch with family and friends through social media helps, as does going for a walk every day and watching box sets in the evening. As a Christian of the RC variety, I’m also preparing for Easter which has been a great comfort.

What advice would you give to others working from home?

Try and be disciplined. Get up, shower and start working by 9, don’t put the TV on during the day, and keep in regular contact with your colleagues and clients. I’m not normally one for using the telephone much, but I’ve spent more time on my mobile over the last couple of weeks than I would have in the previous 3 months.

Tell us, what are your new co-workers like?

During my first week of working from home, my better half worked in a different room from me, meeting up only at meal times, when I made her a coffee or when we would then take our constitutional together. It’s amazing that after more than 40 years together, we still have so much to talk about, especially after being in the house all day.

This week, and last, she has volunteered to work in the school hubs starting at 7.30 in the morning, sometimes not getting home until 6. Even though it’s officially her holiday, I’d like to think that’s due to her altruistic streak, however I suspect being couped up with me all day might have had something to do with it.

Our doors may be temporarily closed, but EQ are still here to support you. You can contact us on any of our usual telephone numbers and email addresses, which you can find on the Our People page on this website.