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When it comes to taking pride in her work, completing what is requested is the minimum for Irene Gonzalez. Responsible for overseeing the service zone of Iowa for Bee-Clean US Holdings and Heritage Building Maintenance, Des Moines, Iowa, Gonzalez has a nine-year track record of going above and beyond for clients.
Whether it’s conventional janitorial duties for office buildings or hazmat requests, Gonzalez never hesitates to help fellow team members — often doing so unprompted and with a positive attitude. A team-player in every sense of the term, her reliability has made her a cornerstone for Heritage. Rearranging her schedule to cover important shifts or allowing teammates to take off for family events is commonplace and is a deed she embraces.
“Irene is always working to make sure her employees are cared for and respected. She wants to help get them to work because she understands that they need to come in and get paid to support their lifestyles,” says Millie Fiebelkorn, human resource director for Heritage Building Maintenance. “If an employee cannot come into work because their vehicle is not working, for example, she will offer them a ride to and from work. This is not expected of her but is greatly appreciated by our employees."
Gonzalez goes to the same efforts to accommodate clients, meeting with them routinely to ensure expectations are being met and to see if there is anything new to take on.
For example, Gonzalez showed great customer service, teamwork, and patience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Often plagued with understaffed shifts and larger-than-usual workloads, she never let the pressure get to her. She even took the initiative with training newer employees at a time when cleaning protocols reached an all-time high in complexity and demand.
Her positive energy radiates throughout the company and is a trait that is invaluable for everyone around her, Fiebelkorn adds.
“I look forward to coming in and meeting with Irene, as she is almost always smiling or laughing about something,” she adds. “That puts others in a better mood. It's been a great experience to work with Irene and I'm thankful to have her as a member of our team.”