In today’s fast-paced business world, a company’s success will largely depend on the dedication and hard work employees bring to the enterprise.
If ever there is a time for companies to recognise how important dedicated and hardworking employees are it is now. It is a scientific fact that companies that take the time to celebrate their employees’ milestones or an employee milestone, not only boost morale, but also foster a culture of loyalty and commitment in the company.
Cool Breeze in Soufriere, whose businesses include a vehicle rental service, a service station, a construction company and conference room facilities, last Sunday afternoon recognised one of its long-serving, dedicated, hardworking and reliable employees, in a manner which raised the bar for any company wishing to honour an employee, who for many years of service, has shown such incredible high levels of meticulous, diligent and conscientious service to his/her employer.
An Evening to Remember
Cool Breeze left no stone unturned in showing its gratitude to 68-year-old Bernard Osmond who retired from the company due to his fading eyesight. Decorated in black and gold paraphernalia, from the plates to the tablecloths, from the rafters to the flooring, from the chairs to the napkins, the room where the event was held was a sparkling display of meticulous attention to detail.
“My mother left me with a piece of advice I take to heart; give someone his flowers when he is alive not when he is dead in a eulogy,” Mister Cool Breeze himself, Stephen Abraham told THE VOICE Newspaper which was on hand to capture that special moment.
The balcony-styled area where the event was held was pregnant with gratitude as the late afternoon heat turned into the coolness of early evening. The company showered Osmond with praise for his thoroughness in the various tasks given him over the 35 years he was employed with Cool Breeze.
“Mr. Osmond has set a good example for young people in the workplace to emulate,” Abraham said.
Osmond worked in the construction arm of Cool Breeze group of companies, and according to Abraham, was extremely reliable over the years.
“There was no laziness in me each day I got up to begin work. I work each day with a full heart, grateful for an opportunity to work, to achieve something,” Osmond said.
The atmosphere was electric with excitement when the time came to announce the ‘surprise’ Cool Breeze had in store for Osmond, who said he was stunned when told of an event to honour him, even though it was his birthday as well.
Cool Breeze said the event was a farewell/retirement and birthday party rolled up in one event for Osmond.
Honouring the Milestones
When the time came to honour Osmond for his years of service, expectations rippled throughout the room. The norm was for awards or an award given to employees or an employee who had reached significant career milestones. These awards were not just about the number of years spent at the company but also about the impact these individuals had made.
What Cool Breeze did was to go beyond the norm and set a new standard for employers to follow, not only with personalised messages and heartfelt speeches from the company’s manager and Osmond’s peers, but with a set of gifts to Osmond that drew an intake of breath from everyone at the event Sunday evening.
The Gifts
Abraham noted that the event for Osmond was more than just a formality, but a powerful tool for building a positive workplace culture. He outlined that when employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to stay committed to the organization and continue to perform at their best.
Osmond received a plaque as a token of appreciation. Then the company made the startling revelation that henceforth, Osmond will no longer pay rent for the apartment he presently occupies, which is owned by Cool Breeze.
“He will be staying at the apartment rent-free for the rest of his days on earth,” Abraham told THE VOICE.
But that was not all. Osmond was handed a white envelope with a cheque inside made out in his name amounting to $100,000. The applause was still ringing out when THE VOICE team said their goodbyes and headed back to Castries.
