LISETTE: WAREHOUSE WORKER
Lisette Van Echelpoel is a warehouse worker at IZEN, the brand of VINCI Energies in Belgium that focuses on 100% smart energy. Her daily tasks include taking care of customer orders, loading and unloading, transporting solar panels and preparing the necessary materials.
“There is little difference between
working with men or women.”
- Name: Lisette Van Echelpoel
- Age: 56
- Studies: Elderly Care
- Job title: Warehouse worker
Lisette Van Echelpoel is a warehouse worker at IZEN, the brand of VINCI Energies in Belgium that focuses on 100% smart energy. Her daily tasks include taking care of customer orders, loading and unloading, transporting solar panels and preparing the necessary materials.
How did you become a warehouse worker?
Lisette: As a young girl, I wanted to be a singer. I was always in the front row in the choir. Unfortunately, that profession was unacceptable to my parents. But now I regularly sing along with the music in the warehouse. So you see, childhood dreams can still partly come true. I was trained as a carer for the elderly and ended up in the logistics sector. I have been working at IZEN for almost 12 years and hope to stay here until my retirement.
Do you sometimes feel like an exception in the sector?
Lisette: It is true that I am the only woman in the warehouse. I work together with four male colleagues but they never give me the feeling that I don’t belong here. I do notice that some of them treat me differently, although it is not because I am a woman. They often ask for advice because of my experience and expertise. I have been working here for a long time and know all the tricks of the trade. In this way, I always enjoy showing younger colleagues the ropes. They always come to me when they need help. I certainly take that as a compliment and the proof that I am appreciated and accepted.
Is it sometimes difficult to work only with men?
Lisette: No. For me, there is little difference between working with men or women. I am very sociable by nature and I feel equally comfortable with both. At VINCI Energies, no distinction is made, as it should be. Outsiders sometimes find it strange that I am a warehouse worker, but I don’t care. From a very young age, I have mainly worked with male colleagues and I am very happy about that. I also have a lot of contact with the women in the office. I also get along well with them. I would never want to change places with them, because sitting behind a desk is not my thing. I’d rather have a varied job where I’m moving around a lot. Of course, it is physically demanding, but I will continue to work with passion as long as my body allows me to.
