Everyone deserves a chance

At truck manufacturer DAF in Eindhoven, Sodexo provides catering, events, the DAF Guesthouse (where visitors from Paccar and DAF can stay overnight) and maintenance of the red DAF company bikes. Last year, the contract with DAF stipulated that around 10% of the facilities team would consist of people who are disadvantaged on the labour market. A great example of social entrepreneurship and thinking in terms of opportunities rather than constraints. Three Sodexo employees at DAF talk about their experiences.

Jetty van Marion, Account Manager

Ton Hoogers, Head Chef

Services at DAF

‘As Sodexo, we have a social responsibility. The tasks related to catering and facilities services offers many opportunities to people who need extra guidance. At the same time, we can also add value to our clients, such as DAF, who want to fulfil their CSR objectives. But social entrepreneurship should be more than just ticking a box. Here, we work intensively with local organisations, external job coaches and with DAF itself, which is proactive in its thinking and gives us space. It helps that we have a no-nonsense culture here; everyone on the Sodexo team is equally important and part of the team. How beautiful it is that together we are able to empower people. In the recruitment and selection phase, though, it is important to look carefully at what kind of work is most appropriate. There are many (advancement) opportunities when working in dishwashing, as a catering assistant or barista and in our facilities services.’

‘I think everyone deserves a chance. It’s true that employees who are disadvantaged on the labour market need more guidance. Sodexo gives me the opportunity to do that. For instance, I attended a “Harrie training”, which provided me with tools to properly guide employees who need extra support. If you do it the right way, you will get a lot of commitment in return. Being patient is really important. And I always focus on what an employee can do. That’s what we’ll work with first. Achieving successes gives them the confidence to then learn the things they cannot yet do. Working in that order is important. I get so much satisfaction when I teach someone something and they go home happy at the end of the day.’

Michiel Tol, has worked in Sodexo’s catering team since October 2022

‘I get a lot of structure here at Sodexo and my supervisors calmly explain everything to me. If I have too many tasks to do at once and when I am busy, it quickly becomes chaos in my head. We now work with a note that lists all my tasks for the day. As a result, I manage to perform them one by one. In fact, things are going so well now that I asked Ton if the pressure could be increased a little. I hope to learn more and more things and take new steps in catering work. My dream? Maybe become a chef!’