CIBC FirstCaribbean toasts staff on Employee Appreciation Day
Bridgetown, BARBADOS- CIBC FirstCaribbean celebrated its over 3000 employees across its 17 territories on Thursday May 15 as part of the annual Employee Appreciation Day activities.
The leadership of the regional bank joined with their colleagues from the CIBC group worldwide in saying a rousing “Thank You”, to the company’s corps of dedicated and loyal staffers for the professional service they deliver daily to the bank’s thousands of customers, oftentimes surpassing the high standards for which the bank is renowned.
At the bank’s regional headquarters in Warrens, St. Michael, the Senior Executive
Team led by Chief Executive Officer Rik Parkhill donned aprons and served breakfast to staff members.
Parkhill said “Employee Appreciation Day is about pausing – if even for a short while – within the hectic pace that is life at CIBC FirstCaribbean, and celebrating together all that we have achieved and recognizing that commitment and contribution.”
He said the bank has been forced to make “some tough decisions as we try to position our company for growth” but he remained optimistic about the future.
“There has been some stress on those of us who remain within CIBC FirstCaribbean amidst our restructuring activities. While we settle the new structures and complete the refinements to our processes, the benefits will become increasingly visible. Thank you for your contribution in whatever form as we go through this period of transition,” he told staff.
Appreciation activities at headquarters were repeated across the region as managers arranged various treats for their staff, presented them with cards and personal notes of thanks for the various roles they perform within the bank.
Manager Retail Banking and Operations/Country Lead, St Kitts and Nevis, Mrs. G Diane Francis said breakfast was arranged for all staff in St. Kitts and Nevis.
At the Basseterre branch, the local country management team took on the challenge of preparing breakfast for the staff while the leaders at the Charlestown branch organized breakfast.
She added that each staff member was also presented with a flower and an appreciation day card and supervisors added their own touch to gifts presented to the staff.
Mrs. Francis also took the opportunity to thank all staff for their hard work and commitment noting that “CIBC FirstCaribbean recognizes the need to reward and celebrate our staff.”
She added that management was very appreciative and honoured to have such hard working staff members who go “the extra mile”.
The highlight of the day was the announcement of Glendina Jacobs a Credit Counselor from Antigua, as the Amazing Employee for 2014 as voted for by her colleagues.
Glendina assists children in her village with preparation for the Common Entrance Examination free of cost teaching classes from her home. She sources the educational material on her own usually from the Ministry of Education or at times out of Barbados. Additionally, she uses her own funds to provide snacks for her students. Glendina has achieved 100% passes to date.
The runners up were Misty Davis of the Bahamas and Bertha Farley from Barbados.
The winner was chosen from a field of ten finalists who were nominated by their peers for the top honour for their superior performances in the areas of community service, customer service, teamwork, relationship building, sales and perseverance. Employees then had the chance to vote for their favourite story and choose a winner.
The other finalists were: Carol-Jean George of Antigua, Mildred Adderley of the Bahamas, Kian Scott and Valda Stewart of Jamaica, Yasmine Houson and Monique Victor of St. Lucia and Davina Richardson of St. Maarten.