At the heart of our everyday operations, Key Account Manager, Geda Gudaviciute (pictured centre), personifies the extraordinary power of inclusion. The unassuming photo of her alongside her colleagues illustrates a sense of unity and mutual respect, embodying a key part of our credo – people first. Yet, beneath this camaraderie and routine, an extraordinary narrative exists.
This story revolves around Caroline (pictured left), a member of Geda’s team, who has lived with a unique challenge from birth – deafness. However, her spirit, determination, and ability to communicate have never been stifled by this obstacle.
Upon Caroline’s appointment to our cleaning team, Geda identified potential within her. She believed that, given the right opportunity, environment, and support, Caroline’s talents could come to light. And that’s exactly the chance Geda provided.
Initial communication between Geda and Caroline depended on written exchanges, but as Caroline grew more at ease, she began employing gestures and expressions to communicate. Observing this, Geda, and the rest of the team, adapted their modes of interaction, demonstrating their acceptance of diverse methods of communication.
Today, the effortless interaction between Geda, Caroline, and the entire team exemplifies the transformative potential of inclusive workplaces. It emphasises the value that diversity brings to organisations and underscores the importance of fostering an environment where everyone, no matter their personal circumstances, feels valued, included, and empowered.
Geda observes, “Caroline’s story underscores the profound impact of our People First philosophy. Her incredible journey inspires me every day, reinforcing our commitment to invest in our people and to continue driving positive change within our organisation.”
At our core, we believe in the strength of diverse voices and experiences. We believe in opening doors, in making space, and in acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual.”