Many of the people who work at bpost are related to each other. Some sorters, for example, know how to convince their son or daughter to join them, thus ensuring their succession. And some of them do a pretty good job of it ...

When we meet Kim Neij in the Antwerp X sorting centre, we think for a moment that we are experiencing a kind of déjà vu. Behind her, a perfect double enters the room: her twin sister Britt. There are still people who get confused by this, as will become clear during our conversation. They enjoy even more similarities, as both are Business Operations Managers.

Kim, what does an Operations Manager do here in the sorting centre?

Kim Neij: “I am Process & Project Support Manager. I am in charge of a team of seven people: we support the people who process the letters and parcels and we work on projects. Currently, we have just put into operation a new space for parcel handling and are installing a new parcel sorting machine.”

“I started working at bpost together with my sister twenty years ago. We applied together, took the tests together ... and after two weeks we started as night sorters. We then did several six-month contracts and filled a number of bpost sorting centre vacancies. I ended up as a clerk in logistics, Britt went for quality.”

So the family dynasty within bpost goes even further back?

Kim: “Yes, Dad worked here at Servipost. He retired in 2004, so we worked together for a while. Our eldest sister also worked here as a sorter at bpost. And we also have a sister who used to be a counter clerk in one of the Post Offices.”

Three generations is not yet on the cards however: their sons are still just a bit too young (5 and 3 years old). But their niece of 19 will come and do a summer internship this year. And the twin sisters themselves will remain at bpost for some time to come.

Britt Neij: “Following an internal recruitment process, I started as Manpower & Planning Manager in April. Soon I will be replacing a colleague who is retiring. My previous job was in Brussels, so this was an opportunity to come ‘home’ here to the Antwerp X sorting centre, so I’ll also be able to see Kim during the week at work.”

Does your family often talk about work then?

Britt: “Yes, but it tends to be the funny stories: father talks about his time in the ‘catacombs’ under Central Station, for instance. That’s a bit hard for us to imagine, and vice versa. But he is still very interested, you know!”

“You often see that colleagues feel very connected to their work. Even though I worked in Brussels for 7 years, I still know all the colleagues here. I’m joining a new team now, but they’re all people I know.” Kim adds: “There is a collegial atmosphere in Antwerp X and everyone is also very open: you can always speak your mind and solutions are always found with them!”

Does being twins have its advantages?

Britt: “It did at school, and when I already had my driving licence, Kim could practice with mine. Or we could use each other’s ID photos if your own had run out. But now it is especially funny how people look for differences: her boss Tom, for example, only recognises us by our laughter lines. You also encounter a lot of funny situations of course.”

 

The story of the Neij family is a series of amusing anecdotes that illustrate how family members are the best ambassadors for bpost. But don’t worry: even those who are not family members are more than welcome to add their extra energy to our company!

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