Frode Laursen believed in Linda – now she dares to take the bus again
It’s not easy finding your place in the labour market when you are struggling with apprehension and social anxiety. This is how Linda Sasse describes her situation 14 years ago when she found it difficult to find work – even though she spent a lot of time searching for jobs.
Today, it’s completely different: Linda is a group leader at Frode Laursen in Stenkullen, and thriving, both professionally and personally.
“I searched and searched, but I just never managed to find the right match. Therefore, it was a big help starting in Samhall, which helps the unemployed to find jobs. They then partnered with a warehouse, where I got a job. In 2018, the collaboration stopped, and we moved to Frode Laursen in Stenkullen. I was very happy about that,” says Linda.
More freedom
To begin with, it went really well, and Linda was happy with her new job at Frode Laursen.
“In 2020, the then warehouse manager in Stenkullen asked whether I wouldn’t like to transfer to Frode Laursen. He could sense that I wanted to do more than was possible at Samhall. Of course, I was a bit nervous: Was I good enough? Would I make mistakes? Would I have to go back to Samhall again? However, I ended up accepting the offer because I wanted to try my hand at something new,” explains Linda.
One step at a time
Linda started on trial, and it went so well that after six months she was taken on permanently. Gradually, she was given more responsibility. Initially for her own orders, and subsequently as group leader.
“As a group leader, I have my own area where I have to delegate the work. This gave me even more scope to look at the big picture and ‘fix things’ in operations. At the same time, it showed that my managers believed in me. As they always have done. And which means a lot to me,” says Linda.
Good colleagues make all the difference
Over the years, Linda has also started to believe in herself, and today is much more self-confident – even though there are still days where she is slightly quieter than usual.
“As group leader, my task is to tell people what they have to do, and some days this can be quite tough. However, the other group leaders are fortunately willing to lend a hand. It’s nice knowing that I have their support. On top of which, I’ve got some really good colleagues around me: They’re really pleasant, they understand me and they’re always keen to help. This means that I feel confident, and can be myself. Which is very nice,” she explains.
When Linda looks back, she is grateful for the support that she has received – and proud of her own personal development.
“I still feel shy, but I’m not anxious like I used to be. I’m now able to take the bus, go shopping in the supermarket and do things by myself. And I know full well that it wouldn’t have happened without the support I received from my colleagues and managers. They believed in me, which meant that I started to believe in myself,” she says.