A shoe box was a sign that I had found the right place

Introduce yourself – what do you do now and what position are you in?

Hello,
My name is Petya Simeonova – marketing manager, mother of three wonderful girls, and a Zumba enthusiast. I love human stories, spontaneous conversations with strangers, and good people. I believe that a smile is the curve that can straighten EVERYTHING. (I wish I had said it, but it's by Phyllis Diller. I just practice.)

Which company would you like to highlight as a good workplace, what industry is it in, and what is its product/service?

The good words are for my current employer – S3 Company.
The company is in the technology sector and offers a full range of data center services.

Is there something specific you learned or felt as an attitude in this company that continues to serve you in your professional life?

Care!

Being recognized as a person, not just as a function, is warming and is the foundation for lasting employer-employee relationships.
Gestures like: 'I came across this training. I think you will really LIKE it... Do you want it?' speak volumes.

I often hear that all companies are the same. They are categorically not! We start from different priorities for the workplace – security, freedom, development, peace... Therefore, we cannot generalize.

What good practices from this employer would you like to see more often in other organizations?

Understanding – the real one, not the one from the list of promises in the interview.

As a mother of three children, life often goes beyond my schedule and intentions – a school celebration that starts at 4 PM, an extra workout at 10 AM, etc. (I wink at the parents reading this – they will understand).
Here I encounter not just tolerance, but mutual respect. There is no guilt and unnecessary tension if something extraordinary arises. I love the feeling of freedom and the trust we have managed to build.

If someone asked you today whether it is worth applying to this company – what would you answer and why?

First, let them ask themselves what they are looking for in a company.

Everyone's priorities change over time. At the beginning of my professional journey, I gained experience and knowledge wherever I could, compromising on many things. Now the priorities are different – everything is more specialized and in good balance.

I ended up in the company just when I needed a place where professionalism goes hand in hand with humanity. Where the notorious work-life balance is not just a promise on the company website, but a fact.

Is there a person or situation that has left a lasting positive impression on you – something you would share as an example of good leadership or collegiality?

To my delight – there is both a person and a situation.

Right in the first week after starting work, I put a simple shoe box as a footrest under the desk – not particularly stylish, but it helps with better posture.

A few days later, the owner of the company came to me with two types of ergonomic footrests. He said to try them out, choose the more comfortable one, so we could order for all colleagues. One of those moments when you just say 'Thank you!', while overflowing with emotion.

I shared the story on LinkedIn – 449 likes and over 30 comments, where people were 'applauding'.
What stood out was the mass negative experience. Since then, I share the good example – whenever I have the opportunity. Because good things need to be talked about.