Compassion and a contingency plan were key aspects of one Christchurch business returning to some form of normality yesterday.
Triple0 Medical Recruitment is an international agency based in the eastern suburb of Ferrymead, with about 20 staff.
General manager Andrew Arps said business was "secondary" when the quake hit and safety the only priority.
A "roll call via texting" accounted for everyone.
The office, though without power, water or sewerage, was intact.
Dealing with the immediate aftermath of the quake and connecting with family and friends soon gave way to thoughts of how to keep the business running.
"We've got to deal with the compassionate needs at the same time as dealing with the reality that business does go on," Mr Arps said.
By Sunday, a water supply was restored to the building, and he had secured a generator to run computer servers, but a late-night phone call from the alarm company heralded the electricity being restored.
The "troops" were then rallied for a clean-up and the chance to see each other again was an obvious relief, he said.
Sharing stories of their experiences and thoughts post-quake was therapeutic for staff and acknowledged the impact it had on their lives.
A meeting, during which a 4.6 magnitude aftershock struck, was held outside "because people were not that happy about being in the building".
Staff were told how business would start to get back on track, though with reduced operating hours.
"We are just really lucky we've got a business to come back to," he said.
Staff split into three groups.
One, including Mr Arps, was to work from the office, another was set up in another company's offices across town, and others would work remotely.
"I think people are a little bit keen to get back to work for a distraction."
Those working from the main office were dealing with "up and down" roads, the dust left over from the liquefaction clean-up, and no toilets, but he hoped more staff would slowly return.
"I think people like the fact that there has been certainty put into the business."
