Carmel gets award for ‘going the extra mile’ at work
Blackrock woman Carmel McGuiness was among 150 people working across Ireland who were honoured recently in the GEM Awards, (Going the Extra Mile), which were presented by ISS Ireland, a major provider of outsourced site services.
Carmel from Greengates, works in The Authentic Food Company (formerly Heinz) and was nominated for the award after a manager saw her going the assistance of a fellow employee who became ill.
‘A man took a turn in the canteen where I was working,’ recalled the mother of eight. ‘I stayed with him and talked to him until the medics arrived.’
‘I didn’t think I did an awful lot,’ she said modestly. ‘I was just comforting someone who was in discomfort.’ According to the judging panel: ‘Her kindness and consideration toward the gentleman was acknowledged by both ISS Management who happened to be on site, along with her own colleagues. Carmel recognised that he was in distress and did everything she could to comfort him until assistance arrived.’ Carmel received her Going the Extra Mile award from by Richie Hogan, the popular Kilkenny Hurling GAA Star, who said he was delighted to participate in the event which recognises the hard work and dedication of frontline staff in the services sector. The ISS Ireland GEM Awards recognise the valuable contribution of employees, both Irish and non-Irish nationals, who together bring a wealth of experience and energy to the services sector. ISS Ireland employees are involved in out-sourced operational and support services, such as catering, cleaning, security, maintenance, landscaping, post-room, reception, property management and pest control.
Carmel, who is married to Jim for 46 years, hopes to retire from next August.