NederlandsMore than two years ago, temporary worker Winfred van Stijn started as a distributor at FloraHolland Rijnsburg . Via Actief Werkt! he goes to work every day on the work floor of this large flower auction. Winfred tells about his experiences as a jobseeker and temporary worker.
'For twelve years I worked wholeheartedly for publisher Swets & Zeitlinger. Unfortunately I came after the 
reorganization,' said Winfred. 'I had never applied before, but now I had to. Een huge bump, I didn't even have a resume yet. And that was also at the beginning of the crisis, about 8 years ago. I found work through an employment agency. Many different functions and often short jobs. This was not what I wanted, it did not offer sufficient stability. †
The now 53-year-old Lissenaar decided to take an evening course as Assistant Declarant. 'I still didn't intervene. Now I had a piece of paper but no experience in the trade. And meanwhile, the UWV had run out of cake. So I had to do something and eventually ended up here at the flower auction. Een different branch of sport. It took a lot of getting used to, that big anthill in the workplace. There are 150 to 200 people driving up and down all morning, so you have to be careful not to get knocked over.'
Electric trucks, flowers and a clock
As a distributor at the FloraHolland auction, Winfred gets on his electric truck every morning at 6 am. 'You must love the morning. It's hard work, it takes a lot from you. In addition to the physical work, you also have to be fresh in your mind. You drive through a large mass of flowers and it is important to follow the instructions via your headset. Just count, check and drive!'
To make up for his hours, Winfred often works extra shifts. 'It's great that you can work overtime in different departments. In addition to distributing the flowers, I also work for hours at the auction clock. No, I am not on stage myself, but I make sure, for example, that the roses come on stage at the right time. But I'm also not afraid to clean up empty flower crates. †
As a temporary worker at the flower auction, you are no exception if you still have a second job. For example, many employees have a newspaper route in the afternoon. Winfred can combine his job as a distributor with the work as a driver for a Sport BSO in Noordwijk . 'At 2.30 pm I pick up the children from school and take them to after-school care. Together with Meyrthel, my contact person at Actief Werkt! , I plan my schedule in such a way that I can combine these two jobs. That is done in excellent consultation.'
Digital still getting used to
'It is a pleasure to work with Actief Werkt! I regularly walk into Meyrthel's office and then we look at my schedule. The app My Active takes some getting used to for me. Here I can check my salary overview and schedule. I'm not that digitally inclined and don't have the most luxurious phone. For example, sometimes logging in is not always easy. Een matter of getting used to and luckily I can always ask the ladies of Actief for help. †
Valuation
Winfred recently signed a new six-month contract. 'Of course I want to become a permanent employee of 
FloraHolland, but that remains to be seen. In any case, I am flexible and multi-deployable. Hopefully that will be noticed by my colleagues. In any case, the appreciation is there.'
Do you also want to work at FloraHolland?
Actief Werkt! is looking for early birds who, for example, start working as a distributor at Royal FloraHolland. Are you looking for a flexible job? View our vacancies now or contact the FloraHolland in-house team by calling 0297-398100.
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