One word comes to mind when Mike Mathews thinks of Jean Thrift — integrity.

Jean Thrift of Human Resources Employment is October’s Employee of the Month. If you know someone who should be Employee of the Month, send letters of nomination to Jason Turner at jturn1@uab.edu or visit www.uab.edu/eotm to learn more.

Loyal, dependable, diligent, compassionate and caring are other words co-workers use to describe Thrift, who is October’s Employee of the Month. Mathews, manager of HR Employment, says those traits translate well into Thrift’s job responsibilities.

He points to her excellent understanding of the processes and procedures of the Employment Office, and that she readily shares any information she has with her internal and external customers as examples. But it’s her congenial nature that leaves a strong impression on those with whom she interacts.

“I think of all of Jean’s excellent qualities the one that I appreciative the most is the impression she leaves with customers, both internal and external, who call her desk,” Mathews says. “I have had countless customers tell me through the years how nice or helpful she was to them. I have had many customers who come to my office ask if they can meet Jean because she was so kind to them.

“I would like to think of her as the ‘Voice of Employment.’”

Thrift takes the compliments in stride. She says she enjoys her job because of the friendliness of her co-workers and the help they are able to provide those interested in finding employment at UAB.

“I work with a great group of people,” Thrift says. “They are my work family, and they mean a lot to me. It means the world to me to work with a group of people who have befriended me and encouraged me and been a pleasure to work with.”

Thrift supports Mathews and other staffing specialists by processing paper work, ordering background checks, sending out offer letters for new hires and setting up appointments for hiring.

Co-workers admire Thrift’s calmness and her willingness to help.

“Jean is eager to help anyone without being asked,” says Sharon George, Human Resources consultant. “She never says ‘I don’t know’ without adding ‘I will find out.’ She juggles multiple priorities and multiple people’s priorities and makes it look easy.”

Thrift says she enjoys having the opportunity to interact with so many people every day. She says some of her toughest and most rewarding days come when she is helping displaced people.

“When they call they sometimes are emotional,” she says. “They really need someone to help them. It’s nice to know you can have some part in helping them possibly get a job.”
Earline Moore, clerical supervisor in HR Employment, says Thrift has a positive outlook on life that resonates with everyone she comes in contact with.

“I have talked with Jean on many occasions and oftentimes I tell her that I didn’t realize I was feeling down until after I talked with her and felt so much better,” Moore says. “She is very positive when it comes to life situations. She tells me everything happens for a reason and that things will always work out. She is caring, helpful, friendly and very understanding. I consider her a friend and my life is better as a result of working with and knowing her.”