At CWS Hygiene, developing our employees plays an important role in accelerating gender equality. Today, on International Women's Day, under the motto 'Accelerate Action', we would like to put the spotlight on three of our female colleagues from Customer Care. Three impressive women who have developed themselves and their careers with us and grown with us. Three examples of how equality is not just a vision, but a process that is lived every day at CWS Hygiene.
A culture of support
Equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender or identity. We strive to create a culture of respect and support. Because equality is an attitude we should live by every day.
Alexa Bienasch, Department Manager Premium Customer Service, agrees: "As a woman, I have only had good experiences at our company. I have never been discriminated against or taken less seriously than my male colleagues. Women are supported and encouraged to pursue their goals. It is important that people meet at eye level. I myself have always been supported by people at CWS Hygiene who believed in me. I give that back and encourage any woman who wants to develop here.”
Promoting careers and developing potential
The development of our employees is particularly important to us at CWS Hygiene. We support individual career paths, offer training opportunities and create an environment where women can develop their skills and advance their careers. We firmly believe that a strong and supportive team environment is the foundation for individual and collective success.
The team of Elke Vanderstraeten, Customer Care Manager of CWS Hygiene, is doing just that: “I prioritize creating a supportive environment where open communication is encouraged. I actively engage in mentoring by sharing my knowledge and experiences, facilitating regular check-ins to discuss goals and challenges, and promoting collaboration among team members. Additionally, I encourage team members to seek mentorship from one another, fostering a culture of learning and support that benefits everyone’s career development. This way, we can all grow together and achieve our professional aspirations!”
Growth and trust
At CWS Hygiene, we offer a comprehensive talent and mentoring programme to support our employees. Mentoring and support are essential for career development. They provide guidance, encouragement and valuable insight. They help individuals find their way along their career path. A mentor shares experience, provides constructive feedback and helps identify and nurture individual growth opportunities. This greatly enhances one's skills and self-confidence.
Kelly Willems-Smulders, Customer Care Team Manager Front Office, has experienced this first-hand: “CWS has given me the opportunity to truly develop myself. This journey has had its ups and downs, but I have always had the right support. When I started at CWS, I had no ambition to take on a leadership role. Then, my female manager saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time. Thanks to her support and guidance, I was able to develop. Thanks to the opportunities CWS provided – through education and, most importantly, trust – I started to believe in this path.“
Sharing success stories
Success becomes tangible when we make inspiring stories visible. Young girls and women need strong role models to have the confidence to pursue their own goals. That's why we celebrate our colleagues and share their success stories.