EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

By Alethia Lambert

“Happy Friday!” is how Cayman Islands Government’s Customer Service Officer Sarah Orrett greets colleagues and customers each work day at the Government Administration Building. It is her way of injecting her entire week with the joy and enthusiasm workers typically feel on a Friday.

Her commitment and irrepressible positivity at work at the Government Administration Building was rewarded when she was announced as the Cayman Islands Government Employee of the Year for 2022 at a gala ceremony held at the Kimpton Seafire Resort on Thursday, June 1.

Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, who presented Ms Orrett with the top prize under the Deputy Governor’s Award Programme, spoke of his pride in the Cayman Islands civil service and its people.

Noting that the civil service’s mission is to serve the government of the day and to deliver their policy priorities, he asked, “How can we do that? It is by performing outstanding work, and the 12 nominees here this evening have done some absolutely amazing work.” Mr Manderson explained “They are passionate about their work. They don’t work to their job description; they go out of their way every day to make lives better. It was extremely difficult for me to choose one”.

Portfolio of the Civil Service Chief Officer Gloria McField-Nixon, in her lead-up to revealing Ms Orrett as the winner, noted that the recipient was the first and last face visitors to the Government Administration Building see, whether they have come to visit a top official or any one of the 800 people working at the building.

“This person understands, through multiple generations, what it means to be Caymankind and what it is to treat every single individual, from whatever background they come, with respect and dignity because you can relate with empathy to the plights they face,” Mrs McField-Nixon said.

In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Ms Orrett acknowledged God, her family, friends and colleagues for their part in her formation and her personal and professional progress. She expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor noting, “Thank you for recognising my efforts for the Cayman Islands Government and for bestowing me with such an honour.”

Recalling a recent conversation, Ms Orrett shared, “Someone said to me, ‘You know they call you the face of GAB!’ And my response to that was, ‘I may be the face you see, but I represent all of the passionate, wonderful, professional employees of our Cayman Islands Government that you do not see. And behind the scenes, it is not just the chief officers, ministers, premiers, governors, it is our support staff. Those people are the engine of this Cayman Islands Government. If I can represent them in the way that I will give our customers world-class civil service, then, yes, I am the face of GAB, and I will continue to do what I do, with passion, integrity and professionalism.’”

The award ceremony honoured all the Employees of the Month for 2022, with Governor Jane Owen presenting their awards. Chief Officer’s Choice award recipients, from among whom the Employees of the Month were drawn, also received mementos.

In addition to honouring individuals, the ceremony recognised teams for creating exceptional value for the Civil Service and the country during 2022. The Financial Reporting Authority was honoured with the first ever World-Class Service Award while the Department of Communications, Department of Children and Family Services and the Cayman Islands Government Wellness Committee received special ‘Moments of Magic’ awards.