The team spirit has been the highlight

For eighteen years, sisters-in-law Berni Øyjord and Gerd Marit Øvrevik have commuted together to their office in Ølensvåg every workday. This year, as they both retire, they reflect on their Omega 365 years, filled with great colleagues and experiences.

At a table in the Ølensvåg canteen, the two gather to share memories. Gerd Marit retired in January, and Berni’s last workday is August 31st. The latter initially had a slightly longer commute to the offices in Ølensvåg.

The viking who returned home

Bernadette, who often goes by Berni, hails from what she humorously describes as the "Irish Riviera," the county of Waterford in Ireland. She particularly remembers a school assignment where they had to trace the different countries on a map of Europe on food wrapping paper. She dreaded the day they would have to draw Norway,  with its crooked coastline. Luckily, the teacher never made them do it. Fate, however, would lead her to fall in love with a man from this very country. Not on the Irish Riviera, but on the Spanish one.

"I met Rolf while on vacation in Gran Canaria in 1983, and after two years of a long-distance relationship filled with letter writing, phone calls, and visits, I moved to be with him in Etne in January 1985. That same summer, we got married. I like to say I'm the Viking who returned," Berni laughs.

She joined a large in-law family and, through various jobs and the help of a skilled Norwegian teacher, quickly picked up the language.

"Norwegian grammar is relatively similar to English, but pronunciation was challenging. My teacher, Allan Myrvang, had me read aloud to him repeatedly until each word was pronounced correctly. It was a great learning experience," she says.

Yes-culture and travel experiences

After eight years at Tveit Accounting, Berni applied to Omega 365 in 2003. She joined as employee number 123, and three years later, her sister-in-law Gerd Marit followed as employee number 253.

"I had worked many years at the Post Office, but after experiencing burnout, I retrained and got an apprenticeship at Omega through NAV. I’ve been working here in Ølensvåg ever since, and Berni and I have commuted together every day. It’s been a very pleasant routine."

"Gerd Marit drove, and I talked," Berni adds with a laugh.

"We've also solved work tasks and discussed challenges we’ve faced," says Gerd Marit. "It’s been great!"

With over eighteen years as colleagues, they've witnessed significant growth in the company. Both have worked in payroll and invoicing, and in recent years, Berni has also handled accounting related to the USA and Canada.

"When I started, there were just three or four employees in administration and accounting. Today, we are over fifty," Berni notes.

"And the office building has gone through several construction phases to accommodate all the new team members. We've probably moved offices nine or ten times," says Gerd Marit.

Among the special highlights, the team spirit stands out as the strongest memory.

"Everyone says yes and helps out where needed. It’s been a lot of fun and rewarding to work with such a close-knit team in a busy environment," says Gerd Marit.

They particularly remember a winter day this year when it snowed so much that the road between Etne and Ølen was closed.

"People who left work early, hoping to get home before the roads closed, ended up sitting in traffic until 10 PM. Those of us who decided to stay until the road reopened had a fun and cozy evening," Gerd Marit recalls.

The Advantage program, with its trips and experiences, is also something they’ve greatly appreciated.

"All the trips have been absolutely fantastic. We’ve experienced things we never would have come across if we had traveled alone," concludes Gerd Marit.

Berni highlights trips to Flor og Fjære and Lucca in Italy as some of the most memorable.

Music and a big family

 As part of a six-sibling family, Berni, her husband Rolf, and Gerd Marit belong to a large family that stays closely connected

"We often get together, and we are a musical bunch. There’s always someone who brings out an instrument and plays a bit," says Gerd Marit.

She herself started learning the guitar at the age of sixty and often plays with her husband. They lead an active life with hikes in the Etne mountains, trips to their cabin at Vågslid, and spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her artistic side has also been appreciated in the Ølensvåg offices.

"I’ve painted some pictures that hang in the offices in Ølensvåg. One of them even features the main building itself," she shares.

Berni also plans to keep busy when she retires.

"We're going to be very busy in the first year because we’ve bought an apartment that we’re renovating. The plan is to sell our house and move in next year. But first, we need to empty the house, and that will be a big job! Otherwise, I’m looking forward to more trips, exercise, and other activities that, until now, have been just hobbies," she concludes.

About Spotlight

Spotlight highlights and celebrates Omega 365's team members and their efforts. We believe there are contributions, personalities, and developments throughout Omega 365 that deserve recognition and acknowledgment. You may have a colleague who has made a breakthrough, improved workplace moral, or secured a significant contract – we want to know about them and we want to celebrate them! Nominate a Spotlight candidate by sending your tips to lauren@omega365.com.