January 2011
Food for Thought at Management Training
Members of the Ocean team get to grips with a team-building exercise during company training on equality
Raw pasta and jelly babies may seem like unusual tools to teach people about equality and diversity.
But a recent training session by Ocean showed how thinking outside the box can be important when it comes to getting people to work together.
The company’s most recent quarterly training session on the Equality Act 2010 was delivered at Ocean’s head office in Luton. Managers and office-based staff were trained on new legislation on how to advance equal opportunities and protecting the rights of individuals.
The training sessions were delivered by Ocean’s Human Resources Officer Jaina Patel and Health and Safety Manager Maureen Threadgold.
The session opened with an ice-breaking exercise designed to encourage people to work together. Employees were divided into teams and asked to build the tallest tower they could using nothing but spaghetti, jelly beans and rubber bands. The finished structures had to be sturdy enough to hold up a balloon.
Jaina, who helped develop the exercise, said: “We wanted a fun activity that would get people thinking, encourage them to communicate and work together to solve a problem. It worked really well.”
Ocean employee Matt Johnson was among those who took part. He said: “It was a pretty unusual challenge. Being asked to build a free-standing tower out of food was not something anyone expected.
“It really helped break the ice, although quite a few of the jelly babies ended up being eaten rather than used in the exercise.”
Wishing a Happy Retirement to Husband and Wife Team
Ann and Dave King, who recently retired from Ocean with Richard Ford from the British Pipeline Association
A husband and wife team whose Ocean career spanned three decades have retired.
Dave and Ann King of Hemel Hempstead retired last month having worked for Ocean since the mid nineties.
The couple worked together on many different contracts during their time with the company.
For their last five years with Ocean they both cleaned at the British Pipeline Association’s site in Hemel Hempstead.
Their Manager Ann Dymock said: “We’re obviously sad to be saying goodbye to Ann and Dave but we wish them every happiness for the future.
“They have both been model employees during the time I’ve known them, approaching their work with a positive attitude and always willing to go the extra mile for the client.”
As a token appreciation for their lengthy service Ocean presented the pair with flowers and a gift certificate on their final day of employment.
When asked what it was like working together as husband and wife Dave said: “It’s easier that way. We communicate more easily and help each other better.”
The couple are looking forward to spending their new found free time completing projects around their home and are contemplating buying new bicycles in the summer to go riding together.
Praise for Considerate Team Member
A dedicated member of the Ocean team has been praised for helping disabled school children.
Steve Baker, who works on Ocean’s contract with St Edmundsbury Borough Council, assisted children from Riverwalk School in Bury St Edmunds when they attended the town’s Christmas Fayre in November.
Pupils visiting the fayre needed to use the toilet facilities on site and have to be accompanied due to their various special needs.
Mr Baker, who was the attendant on site, offered his assistance to the volunteers accompanying the children and his kindness was praised by Council staff.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Building Manager Russell Hill said: “The Attendant on duty Steve Baker was particularly helpful to the staff and children and his help was appreciated by the staff.”
Ocean Facilities Services Managing Director Andy Erskine said: “I’m very proud of the way Steve offered his assistance on this occasion. It speaks volumes for our staff when they are willing to go out of their way to assist people in this way.”
