A chat with Denise Fred, long-serving senior private secretary to the Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture |28 December 2019

Denise Fred in her element

‘It is satisfying when you do all you have to do on the same day and not leave it for the next day’

Denise Fred, who has worked in the public service for 38 long years, was among seven longest-serving employees to be recognised and rewarded during a ceremony held on Monday December 23 at the Harbour Café.

Catching up with her yesterday at her office at Maison Collet, Ms Fred was eager to chat briefly about her journey over the 38 years.

Seychelles NATION: Recently you have been among those employees of the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture who have been recognised and rewarded for your long service and for you it has been 38 years! Please briefly tell us how it all started, was it your first employment?

Denise Fred: Actually I will clock 39 years of service on January 5, 2020 as I started in January 1981 soon after I left school. I worked as a clerk/typist with the Printing Division at that time. I moved to the then Seychelles National Printing Company, then Ministry of Education, Local Government, SHDC, PMC/HFC then I moved on to work with Mr Charles Bastienne who was then the principal secretary for immigration at that time till he became minister in February 2015.

Seychelles NATION: Over the years you have worked for various ministers or you have moved around with one minister only? Tell us how it has been for you

Denise Fred: I have worked with only one minister and this is Mr Bastienne like I have already mentioned and he has served in three different ministries so far.

This has been very challenging as you have to adapt yourself to new working environment. Each ministry has its own culture and way of working and each time you meet a different group of staff each of whom has different characters with which you have to adapt and get used to.

Seychelles NATION: What particular aspect of your job do you enjoy the most and why? What part do you dislike and why?

Denise Fred: I enjoy interacting with the public and sort out their issues in the absence of my boss and at the end of the day I feel good and satisfied after being able to solve their problems. I dislike when work colleagues do not cooperate.

Seychelles NATION: 38 years is quite a long time, what made you stay in the job for so long?

Denise Fred: I have remained in that job as I love and enjoy it. As a senior private secretary I put into practice what I learned from school. A secretary should always be confidential and loyal and I feel I have these qualities.

Seychelles NATION: We know that part of your job entails reminding your boss of his different appointments and keeping his day to day schedules ensuring nothing is missed. So what would you say are some of the main challenges of such a job?

Denise Fred: Yes there are challenges as working for a minister you have to make sure that his schedules are in order as he has so many meetings/visits and also interactions with dignitaries.

Challenges include cancelling many long scheduled appointments to make way for urgent meetings.

Seychelles NATION: What are the most satisfying/fulfilling/tiring part of your job?

Denise Fred: Satisfying: When you do all you have to do on the same day and not leave it for the next day.

Fulfilling: When a job is well done and the people who benefit from it are satisfied.

Tiring: When there is no feedback on an urgent issue that needs to be addressed or not enough staff to address the issue.

Seychelles NATION: Have you ever thought of changing your field of work? If so then why have you remained in the position? If not why do you love it so much?

Denise Fred: Sometimes I feel like I want to move to another field but I hesitate as I have worked with my actual boss for 15 years and I feel secure and settled in my job and do not need to adapt to a new environment.

Seychelles NATION: What kind of training did you follow? Have you over the years followed additional skills development training?

Denise Fred: I attended Secretarial School for 2 years and the training that I have attended include customer care, public relations, service delivery, communication skills, stress management, secretarial studies, typing, short-hand.

Seychelles NATION: When you look back how would you describe the 38 years? How do you feel?

Denise Fred: When I look back I feel very proud of my achievements in my life as I have helped so many people over the years. People who I have helped still acknowledge it till today.

Seychelles NATION: How old are you now and where do you see yourself in let’s say five years’ time?

Denise Fred: I am 56 years old. I think I will keep on working for another 5 years as I still have much more to offer.

I will feel depressed if I were to wake up in the morning and do not have to go to work.

Seychelles NATION: Is it a job you would encourage other young people to take? If so why?

Denise Fred: Yes, I will encourage the younger generation to follow my example as you learn many skills as a secretary. Your boss depends so much on you because you can be his or her ears and eyes.

Seychelles NATION: Why do you think it is important to remain in one job?

Denise Fred: It is important because you:

• learn a lot on the job

• grow on the job and over the year you receive better pay

• can lead others with the experience you gain in your field of work

• have the trust of others.                                                                                              

Compiled by Marie-Anne Lepathy