Worker of the Year 2007
GB Solutions Temp of the Year 2007, Alida Hiles (left) with Temp Consultant Sarah Bytheway
14th May 2007
GB Solutions have rewarded a temporary worker who has had to adapt to both a new culture and a new way of working, with their Office Worker of the Year Award.
Moving half way across the world was not enough of a challenge for GB Solutions’ temporary worker Alida Hiles, so she decided to try a new way of working too.
Originally born in South Africa, Alida came to the UK in 2005 after marrying her English-born husband – a complete lifestyle change was inevitable. After 35 years in permanent roles, Alida decided to embrace this change by trying temporary work for the first time.
Alida, from Hardwicke, Gloucester, quickly adapted to temporary work, spending almost 12 months with a client who have nicknamed her “The permanent temp”. As well as winning GB Solutions’ Office Worker of the Year Award, Alida has been put forward for the REC’s Agency Office Worker of the Year Award.
GB Solutions, which is a member of the REC, was established in 1999 and since then, it has been providing staff to some of Gloucestershire’s leading businesses. More than 1.2 million temporary workers daily are assigned to jobs by recruitment and staffing agencies throughout the UK.
Sarah Bytheway, GB Solutions’ temporary specialist, said: “We have heard nothing but praise from Alida’s employers, who have shown their support for Alida by constantly renewing her contract - and by moving her from department to department, all to keep her within the team as long as possible.”
Alida Hiles said: “After 35 years in permanent jobs I thought I would never make it past my first week as a temp - but almost a year later I’m still here.”
Paul Blower, Director of GB Solutions said: “Our annual Temporary Office Worker of the Year award is a great way to show our gratitude and appreciation to workers who have made the choice of pursuing a flexible lifestyle through temping.”
