Africa Business Communities

Chioma Nnani: Remembering my First Job in England

One of the truly worrying things about Nigerian business-owners is how horribly some treat their staff. To be honest, it's just an extension of how the average Nigerian treats people they perceive to be lower … less deserving of oxygen, than they are. Apparently, that's the way to show them who's the boss! I hear people talk about how that your staff will disrespect you (and shock horror, think that they are human beings) if you treat them civilly.

Exactly a decade ago, I lived and schooled in Oxford. I worked as a waitress for an agency called “At Your Service”. They still have offices in Oxford, London and Bristol. It was one of the best jobs I've ever had – not just because of the food, which was really good, because AYS only worked with the best catering companies in Oxfordshire; but mainly because of my bosses, Charlotte Furness and Dominique Van-Sutton. Their surnames might have changed now; it's been a while.

From the first day that I walked into Clarendon House on Cornmarket Street – which was where AYS, Oxford had their office at the time – Charlotte and Dominique were the kind of boss(es) I hope I am: firm, no-nonsense, civil, kind, professional. AYS jobs (at least the ones I did) were birthdays, weddings, themed parties in countryside castles and marquees. That job meant I got to see a LOT of the countryside.

I was NEVER disrespected, groped or insulted by guests (not even the tipsy ones), catering company staff, chefs or anyone else. Charlotte and Dominique took care of the AYS waiting and bar staff. They even made sure we got home OK after we had worked events – 99% of the jobs I did were outside the city of Oxford itself. That did not mean we took liberties, or did any of the things that Nigerians claim will happen if you treat your staff properly.

I also know this incredibly talented dude in Abuja, whose staff are scarily loyal to him. He is the best at what he does in the medical field – apparently, if he can't help you, you need to leave the country, because nobody else in Nigeria can; no joke. He has a reputation for being firm, but humane. He doesn't spend his time shouting at his staff and being mean to them, yet their respect for him is immense – I've seen it myself.

While it's true that some people abuse the civility and kindness of their employers, it is also a fact that your employees are some of the most crucial assets of your business. If your employees are liabilities, you're a terrible businessperson. You're trying to maximise profits and cut costs; why would you hire a liability? That doesn't make sense.

I had a meeting a while ago at this organisation. I saw and heard the way a cleaner was spoken to. Then I met the owner and deduced that that was how this total brat trapped in a man's body treated all his employees. It is the company culture. And I knew I was looking at the decline of a pseudo-empire, created by a confused and horrid bully, with an over-inflated sense of his own importance. I also understood why, despite their claims, I'd never heard of them before that day. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank the universe that I don't have to be around such people – I'd probably wind up in jail. Or on a mental ward.

The more I progress, the more grateful I am to Charlotte and Dominique. That was my first job in England. They made it not just bearable, but actually enjoyable. To be honest, AYS was one of the reasons I was sad to leave Oxford (I did have to leave for the University of Kent, to continue my studies) when the time came. Today, I remember and pay tribute to the two women who were so kind to me.

Chioma Nnani is the award-winning author of FOREVER THERE FOR YOU. She holds a Law (LLB) from the University of Kent, Canterbury, was nominated for a BEFFTA in 2014, and has a Postgraduate Certificate in Food Law from the De Montfort University, Leicester. You can connect with her via facebook.com/ChiomaEstherNnani and @ChiomaNnani 

 

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