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VIEWPOINT WHY SHARED VALUES


MATTER AT WORK UAP Ltd’s customer experience manager, Mandy Ferguson, discusses why the culture and ethos of her employer is so important to her


THE FACT THAT UAP Ltd offered me a job in the first place speaks volumes about the culture of the organisation and their approach to people.


It was ten years ago, UAP was still a relatively modest family business at the time, and they weren’t recruiting. But I was unhappy in my call centre job and my dad was doing some groundworks at UAP’s site and suggested I hand in my CV, just on the off chance, because they seemed like a nice company. I did as he suggested and submitted my CV with a letter explaining that I’d like a role in sales - I had no sales training or experience but I liked the idea.


There was no job available, but David gave me an interview anyway. He said he didn’t think I was the right fit for a sales role – and looking back, he was right, I wouldn’t have said boo to a goose back then – but he found me a job as marketing assistant. Since then I have moved from marketing, to admin, to sales and customer service, until my new role was created earlier this year. I’ve enjoyed some roles more than others, but I have never considered leaving because, at every step, I’ve felt supported, motivated and listened to, and that has made me work harder and aim higher because I know my commitment is valued.


Rewarding Role, Rewarded Team In the real world, most of us are working to earn a living, but if the only plus point to your job is your pay packet, it’s probably time to rethink whether you’re in the right role or the right work environment. At the same time, job satisfaction doesn’t pay the bills, so there has to


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be a balance between rewards and rewarding.


Ever since I joined UAP, I’ve always felt that the company has understood the need to reward on multiple levels, and I think the business has an unusual approach to linking the two. Some years ago, they started offering employees interest free loans, repayable monthly from our salary. It’s a way of supporting people through the stress of unexpected expenses and prevents the risk of them relying on high interest options. Like so much of the culture here, it is the company acting in a way you’d expect a family to behave, which really motivates everyone to emulate those values. A couple of years ago, UAP introduced a share scheme for all employees at every level. Not only does that mean we all benefit financially from the company’s success, it also means that everyone feels invested in working hard to achieve their very best at work. I love feeling that I am part of something bigger and that my contribution is meaningful. Again, it ensures that job satisfaction, workplace motivation and reward are all intertwined.


Doing the right thing The company culture that has encouraged me to stay at UAP for so long is not just about the leadership team’s commitment to doing the right thing by the staff; it’s also about the company’s commitment to doing the right thing full stop.


Like most people, I am concerned about the impact of climate change and have been worried about by the effects of the pandemic on my local community. Knowing that I work for a company that not only shares those values but is stepping


If the only plus point to your job is your pay packet, it’s probably time to rethink whether you’re in the right role or the right work environment.


up to drive positive change makes me feel like I belong and that I can be part of those efforts. I am really proud of what UAP is doing to pioneer environmental best practice in the hardware sector. From reducing the use of packaging, to using biodegradable or marine reclaim materials and becoming self-sufficient with renewable energy generated on site, the company is setting an example for others in the industry and for every employee. The continuous improvement approach to sustainability makes me think about what I could do to be more environmentally conscious at home, and it’s great to know that I am part of a company that is taking an active role in addressing this serious issue. When it comes to taking care of people, UAP’s culture of giving something back is also something that makes me feel very proud and loyal. It’s amazing to think


that I work for a company that has helped build five schools in Nepal and, when the pandemic hit, the leadership team not only acted quickly to protect people and jobs here, but also to help others. Donations of PPE to local churches, mosques, charities and community groups have helped people come together again safely. The work I’m doing to drive customer satisfaction contributes to UAP’s ability to be generous like that, which is a great feeling.


Reasons to be Loyal Ten years ago when I dropped off my CV in the hope UAP might take me on, I had never heard of CSR, but I was looking for a job in a nice place to work. What I got was an employer that values people, operates ethically and believes in doing the right thing, which are all big reasons why I’ve stayed so long.. BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2021


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