Independent Fisheries employs 350 permanent staff to service its New Zealand operations. The workforce represents various cultures and ethnic groups including Maori, Pacific Islanders, Asian and European amongst others. The majority of the workforce is long serving employees with some reaching their 30-year milestone.
At the processing plant in Woolston in Christchurch, the factory operates a 24-hour operation working over 3 x 8 hour shifts, which accommodates family needs.
The company has an extensive Employee Assistance Programme available to all employees with staff buying privileges, company paid medical scheme and a subsidised family scheme, Education assistance, Budgeting advice, Long service recognition awards and subsidised child care facilities.
The inclusion of our staff’s family members to our facilities has given us the reputation of a caring family employer.
COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTRE
Our childcare centre offers quality care and education for children from 3-months to 5-years with approximately 50 children registered. The aim of the centre is to create a warm, friendly environment for the children and parents of Independent Fisheries and the community to enjoy.
The centre is broken into 2 areas to cater for infants and toddlers. The hours of the childcare centre are set to ensure most workplaces are catered for with the Children being provided with nutritional meals. The centre has attained the heart beat award for the 3rd consecutive year where they encourage and guide the children into a healthy lifestyle by promoting healthy food and physical activity, which is also passed onto the parent to support the healthy lifestyle within the home.
In 2006 the preschool received an Education review, which stated the following areas of excellent performance:
• Confident and happy children
• Good Teacher/Child relationship
• Interactions – Infants and Toddlers
• Fostering Social interactions
• Fostering Independence
• Good Teacher supported activities
The centre continues to support the factory staff by offering subsidised child care facilities as well as other businesses in the area and ensures it meets the companies philosophy of a caring family environment.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
The company has a philosophy which actively encourages staff and management involvement in social activities. It is well-represented in a number of sports and its own netball courts are adjacent to the site.
COMMITMENT
Independent Fisheries Limited are committed to the welfare of all company personnel. Their dedication, loyalty and teamwork are a major factor in the company's success. This has been recognised in many ways - the many amenities available to staff members, encouragement to participate in recreational activities, and the fostering of a unique team spirit that permeates through all levels of the company.
