Fuelled by a service mindset
Working as a cleaner, Olena’s day starts while most people are still asleep. Known for being helpful and creating a positive atmosphere at work, Olena is responsible for cleaning the office area, the sanitary facilities, and the changing rooms at a major dairy-producer site.
“I leave home at 4:30am in the morning and I cycle for about one hour to get to work” she says. “When I arrive, I change clothes, have coffee, and start my shift. My responsibilities include making sure everything stays tidy, clean, and well-stocked but what I enjoy the most is being part of a team and helping my colleagues whenever I can.”
What makes Olena stand out is her positive attitude and willingness to step in whenever help is needed:
“When my colleagues are sick, I help without hesitation. I want to ensure that the customer never notices a gap in the service. My goal is to create spaces that feel welcoming and where people can both socialise and do their best work without distraction.”
From Ukraine to the Netherlands
Fleeing Ukraine because of the war, Olena arrived in the Netherlands in 2023 and quickly experienced the challenges of starting over in a new country with her son. Not speaking Dutch or English made finding a job particularly difficult, but giving up was never an option.
“It was very hard staying at home without work and applying for jobs every day” she recalls. “For about three months, I applied many times a day and was often rejected because I don’t speak Dutch. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to work for ISS.”
Before joining ISS, Olena, 46, had been working as a caretaker for 11 years. While having learned many lessons from her professional background as caretaker, Olena has found a promising professional career at ISS:
“I want to learn the Dutch language properly and I’m taking a course to do that. I’m especially grateful to Laura, my manager, who always trusted me and has supported my growth and development enormously. In the long term, I dream of becoming a receptionist so I can welcome visitors and interact with people all day.”
Today, Olena is a valued part of the ISS team, someone her colleagues can rely on, often before the day has even begun. As she learns the language and builds a new life in the Netherlands, her journey is a testament to the positive impact we can have on communities: giving people the chance to rebuild and finding workplaces where they can thrive.
