Stevenswood and Customade Group support International Woman's Day
Ioana Stoica - Operations Assistant, Polyframe Norwich #I am the only female in our production Management team
My name is Ioana, I work at Polyframe, Norwich. I have worked for Polyframe for over 2 years. During this time, I have had the chance to work with a great, friendly, and professional team, which has made me feel confident from the first day I stepped through their gates. I chose this industry of windows and doors, because I am passionate about improvements, quality, and ensuring security and safety for our homes.
The thing I appreciate most about this company is that it has given me the opportunity to learn, to discover even my hidden skills, to progress and gain experience. I feel very proud working with the management team and that I had the chance to develop my skills in different areas and I now have a better view behind the scenes. This will help me to improve products / services quality and customer expectations and satisfactions. I think that being 100% present in the moment and deliberate in what you do, you can achieve your goals and get a positive result in the end!
My role my colleagues welcomed me to, unexpectedly well. It wasn’t an easy step going into management. It took me a few weeks to be completely integrated and for people to get used to me, my ideas, and to understand my role here. Now I can say that we work as a nice big team. I think that if my colleagues have the right support, we can build anything we want to achieve.
As a woman in a male industry, I can say that I am treated with respect, but at the same time very friendly, which help us to have an enjoyable working relationship.
Denise Lake - HR Business Partner, Polyframe #I am a Group mental health ambassador
My name is Deni, I work at the Polyframe site in Norwich. I have worked for Polyframe for over 2 years. As a female, leading HR for a very male dominated factory, I often feel responsible for championing equality not just for myself but for all women that work in our team. I’m very proud and grateful to be part of a senior management team that is open to improving our site and working to be inclusive. Admittedly, the team isn’t always as ‘politically correct’ as it could be, but they work hard to be welcoming and they recognise that they need to adapt or be left behind. Most importantly, slips are never intentional or mean spirited, they are accidental. There have been massive improvements in correcting themselves and each other over the last year, and we all continue to learn. While there’s still a long way to go before we have a fully equal workforce, every year brings opportunities for changes.
As for my personal life, my manager has been incredibly accommodating regarding changes to my work pattern / WFH arrangements (even prior to Covid-19). The team has been supportive in allowing me to work a flexible working agreement to improve my mental health and manage my home responsibilities better. The last year has been difficult for everyone but across the site teams have rallied to support each other and in doing so I believe they’ve seen the benefits in allowing some flexibility.
Claire Avery - Manager, Stevenswood # I am full time working mum of three under 5 years
My name is Claire, I work at the Bootle, Liverpool Branch. I have worked for Stevenswood for 3 months. During the first lockdown, I placed on maternity leave early pregnant woman were put in high risk. At 39 weeks I was taken straight to Whiston maternity ward. I was in hospital by myself I couldn’t see my children or my partner for over a week. Jonah Philip was born 11th April 2020, weighing a huge 9lb 13oz. My Maternity leave was lonely but thankfully I had my 3 beautiful children to keep me company and lots of hugs.
In October 2020, my partner and I were made redundant from the company we had been at for over 10 years shortly after we both caught Covid 19. My luck changed when Stuart McGregor, Stevenswood Recruitment Manager spotted my profile on LinkedIn. I started with the Company in November 2020. It wasn’t easy starting a new job during a pandemic, caring for 3 children under the age of 5 and getting over COVID but I did it. I have been an expert in the window industry for 18 years, I know my products and the Company couldn’t wait to get me on board.
During the 2nd Lockdown, I have been working full time, 2 days in branch and 3 days from home. Home schooling and working and teams meeting haven’t always been the easiest, but I am grateful for the extra time with my family. Stevenswood accommodated my family needs and I managed the business requirements. I’m looking forward to moving the branch forward, when the kids go back to school and the nursery reopens, I can get back to a routine and focus on our customers.
Bev Morgan - Sales Order Processing Manager, Customade Group #16 years industry experience in a male dominated industry
My name is Bev, I work at Stonehouse. I have worked for the Customade Group for 3 months. Predominately, all those years ago it was perceived to be a male dominated industry it has long since changed, with more and more successful women in higher level roles. For me it’s more about whether you have the drive and determination to succeed in any role, more than your Gender or the industry.
I made the decision to join the Customade Group towards the end of 2020 and although the Business has had some tough times in the past, I’ve enjoyed every minute of my role so far. Customade has some great people and a vast amount of combined knowledge and years of experience. I now look forward to what the future holds and to how we can better improve our Customers Experience together.
Nikki Lindsay - Branch Assistant, Stevenswood #I am a full time working single mum of two boys
My name is Nikki, I work at the Bootle, Liverpool Branch. I have worked for Stevenswood for nearly 2 years. During our second lockdown, I worked 2 days and furloughed for 3. The schools are closed until the 8th of March and my employer has accommodated my childcare needs until they re-open. For the 3 days I’m at home, I’m catching up on 5 days’ worth of home schooling. We have a laptop for English and Maths and my living room for Yoga and Art. This is tricky, he wants a break every 2 minutes, I set him challenges and keep him motivated even when I feel like I’d love a break too. On the days I’m in work, it’s just a standard routine of getting both kids dressed, taking one to nursery and the other one to my mums, rushing round like a headless chicken. I arrive at the Branch to a back log of work because I’ve not been there for a few days. I Can’t wait for the schools to reopen so I feel like I’m not in a constant battle.
My biggest challenge as a working single parent is finding the energy to work full time and give my children the stability of a good loving home life. Sometimes it gets overwhelming and I can feel myself slipping, which shows in the housework. When I reach tricky times, I give myself some time to recharge, whether its sitting and resting or myself some time to pamper. Men in my industry underestimate me as a woman because I have strength. They don’t realise my physical strength or my mental strength. Little do they know; I have been renovating my own home that I bought by myself. I have been plumbing, tiling, hanging doors and laying flooring.
In the workplace, some men who don’t trust me to carry more than the paperwork from our deliveries! Quite often I hear phrases like “Aren’t there any men here” or “You’re not one of those feminists are you” yes, I am 😊, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Stevenswood is brilliant. There is such a feeling of equality here and I know I am supported and heard, which I know would not be the case in other companies within this industry.
Susan Carr – Key Account Manager, Stevenswood # I am a full-time working Mum and a widow.
My name is Susan, I work at the Perth Branch. I have worked for Stevenswood for nearly 10 years. I Joined Stevenswood in 2012 and I have experienced many changes, but through the good and the bad the Company has become my much-loved extended family. Sadly, I unexpectantly lost my husband in 2019 and the one thing that kept me going was by job, I fought on supported and cared for by my colleagues. This was one the hardest times of my life.
When we in our first lockdown, my Dundee branch closed. My colleagues and I were at risk of redundancy. By July, the company redeployed me in our Perth Branch as their Key Accounts Manager. I work alongside a new team and I have settled into my new position.
We lost staff and it had broken my heart. Sometimes we struggle with our own personal tragedies too. It makes all the difference when you work for a Company like ours. I’m still here as strong and as committed as ever, thanks to Stevenswood and all the people I work with I pulled through.