A woman who hadn’t worked for years because of illness has been named Employee of the Year just 12 months after landing her dream job at Swansea‘s Quadrant Shopping Centre Debenhams store.
Pam Border, 49, who suffers from severe osteoarthritis, says she didn’t think there was a job she could manage but a chance conversation in the Debenhams café as she enjoyed a coffee changed all that.
Pam, who lives in Cimla, near Neath, with her daughter, Natalie, said: “I just couldn’t see myself getting a job then one day I heard, when I was having a coffee in the store, that Debenhams were recruiting.
“I thought I’d give it a go but you had to apply on-line and I couldn’t do that. Anyway, the manager gave me an interview and I landed the job.
“Basically I work 16 hours a week. I do Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday lunchtimes and four hours on a Saturday.
“My job is to greet customers in the restaurant and advise them on specials we might have on offer and generally help them with their food and drink orders.”
She added: “I absolutely love the job and the staff are brilliant too. I like to treat people as I’d expect to be treated – like a queen, to be honest. I meet so many nice people and love working with all my colleagues.
“I just love the job I can’t say much more than that. I won Employee of the Month last September just two months after I started. I couldn’t believe it and can’t believe I won the Employee of the Year Award. It’s amazing.”
And Pam says while getting a job hasn’t improved her disability it hasn’t made it any worse either.
She said: “I was worried I’d end up in more pain but that hasn’t happened. In fact I feel better about myself really even if the pain won‘t go away. Now I’m not sure what I’d do if I didn’t have my job.
“I meet so many nice people and just really like the staff in the Debenhams team from the managers to the cleaners. It’s like being part of a big family.”
Ian Kirkpatrick, Manager of the Quadrant Centre, said: “Pam does a wonderful job for Debenhams and you’re treated like royalty when you arrive at the restaurant.
“I’m sure lots of people go there just to see her because she is always so cheerful and helpful and makes a fuss of you.”
Debenhams store manager, James Loxdale, says there could only have been one winner of the Employee of the Year title.
He said: “I am very proud of all our staff at Debenhams Swansea. They have all played their part, and done a great job, throughout the store modernisation programme we have just completed which was launched last week and went exceptionally well.
“Pam has been an outstanding member of staff since she started with us 12 months ago. She has acted as our in-store restaurant welcome host.
“Quite simply, Pam puts a smile on everyone’s face as she greets and helps them chose their favourite meals and snacks and updates them on our special offers.
“I was delighted to give her the opportunity to join our team here at Debenhams 12 months ago. She is just a really lovely lady with a big heart and character. So many customers comment about her welcoming smile and manner.
“We had 11 other candidates from our Employee of the Month awards but Pam’s outstanding performance meant she was the stand-out candidate and I’m delighted she has won.”
Lucky winner Pam has received a £200 Debenhams Voucher and will attend Debenhams’ Celebrating Success Gala Event at Alton Towers next month for all the Debenhams Stores Employees of the Year from across the UK.
