3 minute read
Agim Mehani
Position at PostNord:
Supervisor for display packaging at TPL in Helsingborg, Sweden. Closest colleagues: “Our boss Håkan Lindberg is the most senior manager here and also the one who hired me, so that still feels special. I also work a lot with Joakim Ohlsson, Henrik Falkengren and Ulf Johansson. Fredrik Lindberg has been my colleague for a long time; now he is a group leader at another terminal.”
When Agim Mehani entered PostNord premises for the first time, he finally got a sense of security back in his life. “I’ve had some of the biggest laughs of my life during working hours. I don't think many people can say that.”
TWO DAYS ARE forever etched in Agim Mehani’s memory. Days that have been life-changing in his 55-year life.
The first one was a mild September day 28 years ago, when he arrived in Sweden as a refugee with his wife and two sons from Kosovo. The second day came seven years later, when he started work as an intern at PostNord, or Nordisk Transport as it was then known. “My children were so young when we came to Sweden”, Agim says. “I wish I could play a video of that day so they could relive the memories as adults. There were probably about 400 of us who came on the same boat and we were met by extremely friendly people who gave us food and clean clothes. I immediately felt that this is a fantastic country.”
HE HAD SEVERAL temporary jobs for a number of years. At the turn of the millennium, he got an internship at PostNord.
“My first day at work 21 years ago is still my best”, Agim says. “I finally felt safe and grounded again. All the managers were helpful and friendly towards me. It felt like a second family right from the start.”
FAMILY, HIS REAL one, means everything to Agim. Both his sons have been educated and have found jobs. And best of all, they have expanded their family with daughters-in-law and three grandchildren, aged six and four years and nine months. Agim’s sons live a stone’s throw away from him and you can often find him with his grandkids in a sandpit in one of Helsingborg’s playgrounds. “As soon as I get home from work, I get changed and spend time with my grandchildren”, Agim says. “I really enjoy life with them. There are no words to describe how wonderful it is to have grandkids. I may be a little overprotective, but also more tolerant of them than their parents are.”
AGIM IS LEARNING a lot all the time. Personal development is easy at work. Each morning Agim plans the packing schedule for the day. When he has finished his administrative tasks, he helps his team with warehouse work and asks how they’re doing; exactly the same way that he feels his bosses have treated him since day one. “My personal development has been the most fun thing of all”, he says. “It's such a great combination of challenging problems to solve and working with fun people at this company. I’ve had some of the biggest laughs of my life during working hours. I don’t think many people can say that!”
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT, according to Agim,
As long as he gets to stay with his team, he’s happy with his job. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
“It seems a long way off, but my goal is for my grandchildren to get an education, too”, Agim says. “Right now, I mostly want to get them into hobbies, such as handball, football and dance. Perhaps I'll use the same kind of approach that I do at work: I let their interests lead and do my best to give them the opportunity to flourish. And have fun along the way.”
