Insiders : Anita de Zeeuw
"I love the humor and the athmosphere"
Recently, she celebrated 12.5 years of service. Our own Anita. The first receptionist ever hired by ALWECO. Anyone who has ever visited us has seen Anita. And if you call us, you often get her on the line. Always hospitable, always in the know, and she knows exactly who you need to talk to if you’re looking for something. Not so good with plants, but that's another story. Today, we’re happy to let Anita have the floor.
“I started at Expert Koppenol, in Naaldwijk,” she says. “That was really a male environment, but I loved it. At some point, I went to work in a boutique with children's clothing, and there were three women. I couldn't handle that, too much fuss. So, I sent an open application to ALWECO. My brother Ed works there, so I already knew a bit about the company. Six months later, Leo called me. He asked if I was still interested in the position.”
A nice balance
“I learned a lot in the first few months,” Anita continues. “They had a lot of patience with me, to put it mildly. But no regrets, really. It was an adjustment because in the store you constantly have people around you. It's different here. But here I work among men again. I love their humor and the coziness. At home, I have three daughters, so it's all nicely balanced.”
Everyone is respected
“Look, you just have to create the atmosphere yourself, that's how it works,” says Anita. “Treat people the way you want to be treated. That's what I love about ALWECO, everyone is respected here. It doesn't matter what position you have, from the director to the receptionist, everyone is equally important, and that's how it's seen. Everyone has their own qualities and tasks, and we respect that in each other.”
Being a receptionist during the corona times was tough for Anita. “It just wasn’t the coziness I was used to. Most days I was here with one director, the rest worked from home. You miss the usual camaraderie, the coziness, eating together in the canteen.”
Pleasantly surprised
On the occasion of her 12.5-year anniversary, Anita was surprised with a beautiful cake and congratulations from her colleagues. “And a gift from the staff association,” Anita adds. “I was really surprised, a very nice gesture. I always enjoy biking to work, and this was a nice way to celebrate that. Bring on the next 12.5 years!”