Mothers are a special group of employees who are always on call. By day, they fulfil their responsibilities to their organisations, and day or night, they fulfil their responsibilities to their families.
Last Friday, The Gleaner, in association with World Brands Services, sent out 'a few good men' to pay special tribute to several mothers in their offices in recognition of their dual responsibilities in the office and the home. Here are their stories.
Sharmalee Cardoza, administrative assistant, Office of Special Student Services, University of the West Indies
Presenter: Rainford Wint, sales manager, business development and marketing, The Gleaner.
When she heard that her director wanted to see her at 9 a.m., she wondered if she had done something wrong. As her director arrived for the meeting, the tension increased. Then the man from The Gleaner showed up.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Dahlia Garrick
Presenter: Teino Evans, enterprise editor, The Gleaner
It was a very busy day for her, one which was taking her out of office at mid-morning. Her game face was on, and she was ready to go. It took some expert delay tactics to ensure that she was in place for the 'special operation'. Then the surprise was revealed by The Gleaner's representative.
Donnette Hines, marketing manager, National Baking Company
Presenter: Burchell Gibson, circulation manager, The Gleaner
A plan was in place for a certain route that would get her to the meeting she knew about. Then her assistant asked her to come in for another meeting half an hour earlier. The change did not fluster this team player, however, and so she turned up as requested, only to find that the gentleman from The Gleaner was there with her gift.
Terry-Ann Heffes, CEO, Design Options
Presenter: Ian Johnson, business development executive, The Gleaner Online
Her assistant asked her to be in office at a particular time on a day when she was planning to be elsewhere, but she was too busy to even ask why.
Then as she was called downstairs, she still didn't suspect that anything had been planned. Then the gentleman from The Gleaner activated the surprise.
Ruth Fraser, real estate agent, Stroll Property Services
Presenter: Andre Lowe, sports editor, The Gleaner
Now, why did her assistant want her to come in on a Friday, and what kind of 'surprise' was her daughter hinting at? It must be the sales reps' in her office arranging a gift for her, she thought. She noticed, however, that the sales reps' cars were not in the parking lot when she pulled up at the office.