2024
Annual report
Building trustthrough performance
Empowering people and driving transformation
Employees are the driving force behind Ontex’s success. P.R.I.D.E. Champion & Finance Manager Michał Jędrecki, and Jonas Deroo, Chief HR & Legal Officer, share their thoughts on how a people-first approach enabled by strong leadership drives the company forward.
Jonas: Michał, congratulations on your being elected as a P.R.I.D.E. Champion! I think you are a living example of a leader who puts people first. Are you aware how this impacts your team?
Michał: Thanks, Jonas. Yes, I have experienced firsthand how investing in people creates a positive and productive work environment. Transitioning from Plant Controller to Finance Manager, I made it my priority to ensure that every team member felt supported, valued, and equipped to succeed. By stimulating a collaborative environment, we have been able to overcome challenges and celebrate successes together. I think it’s important to recognize individual contributions and empower team members to grow, both personally and professionally, and it’s fulfilling to see how these efforts drive results and how this is noticed by the organization.
Jonas: Absolutely! It’s important to celebrate our successes and show people what a caring organization looks like. The HR department has invested a lot in listening to our employees and collecting insights. The Pulse survey is just one example. Also, we are collecting key metrics like turnover rates, absenteeism, and gender diversity in our improved HR dashboard.
This allows us to make informed, data-driven decisions that benefit our people. But while tools and data are important, we never lose sight of what matters most: our people. These are just means to support our goal of being a caring organization, where employees are at the center of what we do.
Michał: I agree. I think people should be supported in their growth. Speaking for myself, I have always felt encouraged to take on new challenges and roles. It’s how I grew into my current position. Being able to take on a new role keeps you engaged and motivated, especially in today’s competitive talent market. I guess that’s an important role for HR too: guiding people in such changes?
Jonas: You’re right. Our team’s role is twofold: to help our people in a respectful way to navigate changes in the short term, whether due to divestments or other organizational shifts, and to ensure we stay on course in the long term. It’s vital that our purpose – making everyday life easier – is well understood and embraced. It’s a beautiful challenge!
