“Do you have eight minutes for me?”

At Oliver, we believe it’s important that everyone feels safe, respected, and heard. Sometimes it’s nice to have a chat with someone, whether you’re dealing with work-related issues or simply want to share what’s on your mind. Since June, we’ve had an internal confidential counsellor who fulfils that role: Martijn.

A listening ear without judgment

In addition to his work as a buyer, Martijn is now also available as the first point of contact for colleagues with work-related concerns or questions. It’s a role that suits him well. “I don’t judge easily and I’m a good listener. Colleagues already knew they could come to me for a chat or advice. So when the internal vacancy for a confidential counsellor came up, I immediately thought: this is something for me.”

According to Martijn, it’s not just about solving problems, but above all about being there for people. “Sometimes it’s enough for someone to just tell their story. Together, we look at what’s going on and what steps we can take.”

Accessible and approachable

To make it even easier to reach out, Martijn shares a tip he once picked up from Simon Sinek. “Everyone has eight minutes. So if someone messages me asking, ‘Do you have eight minutes for me?’, I know it’s important and I make the time.”

That approachable character is essential. “It shouldn’t feel like a big step to knock on the door. Trust starts with knowing your story is safe.”

Prepared for the future

Martijn will soon follow a series of trainings to deepen his knowledge and skills as a confidential counsellor. These will cover topics such as confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and providing the right support. “The more I learn, the better I can fulfil my role.”

In the future, there will also be a second confidential counsellor, preferably someone who speaks Polish. “We have many Polish-speaking colleagues. By offering them someone who can speak their language, we lower the barrier and make this support accessible to everyone.”