Basseterre, St. Kitts – TWO employees of Kajola Kristada Ltd. were recently rewarded for their hard work, punctuality, dedication and discipline, when the company announced its Employees of the Month for March and April.
The two employees, whose names have been added to the establishment’s ‘Wall of Fame’, are Wendy Challenger and Shorna Johnson.
Challenger, a woman of very few words, was named Employee of the Month for March.
She currently works on the Notching Line and, although not being her supervisor, Valarie Adams described her as a hardworking employee.
“When she was working in my department, she was always on time, always here and very efficient in her work. She can be going through the door and you may need her to stay back – because at 4:15 the buzzer rings for us to leave - and she would turn back and help us to complete an order.”
Speaking with this publication, an obviously shy Challenger declared that she enjoys working at Kajola Kristada, adding that “it’s fun working here” and thanked management for recognising and awarding her for the exemplary service she provided.
The outspoken Johnson, who was named Employee of the Month for April, did not hesitate to inform SKNVibes of the problem she had with tardiness.
The 39-year-old mother of three said she has been in the employ of Kajola Kristada for some seven years but on many occasions had been late for work.
Johnson however pointed out that after being urged to seek a solution to that problem, she made the necessary adjustments to her daily routine, which were soon after recognised and appreciated by her colleagues and supervisor.
In her explanation for gaining the award, with a wry smile Johnson said: “Well, I guess I did more and got to work very early. I used to always be late and I pulled up my socks.”
Despite being chastised in the past for her tardiness, Johnson intimated that her time at the company thus far has been an exciting and enjoyable one.
She indicated that her superiors and colleagues are gracious in the way they communicate and conduct operations, something that she admires about the company, adding that “I like it here”.
Johnson’s supervisor, Valarie Adams, noted that, like many others, she has been a hardworking and dependable employee but her punctuality was a concern to management.
“I have always wanted to put her name for the Employee of the Month, but her punctuality was the biggest problem. But from since April to now, she has vastly improved on her punctuality. When you look around, every day she arrives early. She has good attendance, good attitude and is able to work along good with everybody.”
She also described Johnson as a people-centered person who is always smiling and has those around her in a jolly mood.
It was highlighted that in her efforts to create the change in her tardiness, the Super Trap worker was supported by family members who worked with her to ensure that she maintains that attitude and ensures her youngest child is able to be at school on time.
“The waking up early is the thing, but with the support of my family I drag myself out of bed and push to come into work.”
The Kajola Kristada’s Employee of the Month Award has been in effect for the past nine years and was birthed as a means of expressing appreciation towards employees for their efforts, hard work and dedication, as the General Manager, José Rosa, is said to be instrumental in making sure that the employees are recognised and duly awarded.
It was explained that the company has an Employee of the Month Committee comprising of supervisors from each department and two members of staff.
SKNVibes was told that the supervisors are given appraisals forms upon which they would score the employees, and the committee would discuss the employee with the highest points from each department.
Among the criteria for judging the Employee of the Month are knowledge of the job, quality, efficiency, versatility, punctuality and team building.
