Bringing Our Values to Life: A Story of Care and Courage!
At zooplus, we want our values to be tangible and recognised by employees at every step of their journey. Our values guide us through life's biggest moments, both the joyful ones and the challenging ones, helping us navigate change with care, openness, courage and simplicity. These principles are deeply connected to the culture and employee experience we strive to create every day.
Every employee's story is unique. We are proud to celebrate and share the moments that shape those journeys, from personal milestones and achievements to unexpected challenges. By sharing these experiences, we can learn from one another, support one another, and remind each other that growth often comes from the moments that challenge us the most.
For Weronika Słowiak, Talent Acquisition Expert, the past year brought both new beginnings and unforeseen challenges. After more than five years with the company, she experienced the support and care that accompanied becoming a mother, taking maternity leave, and returning to work genuinely welcomed and understood. At the same time, she faced a deeply personal challenge that required courage, resilience, and the support of those around her.
Weronika courageously shares her story to help others feel seen, supported, and less alone during their own journeys. Through her experience, she brings our values to life and demonstrates the impact that Care, Openness, and Courage can have when they move beyond words and become actions. We appreciate her openness in sharing such a personal experience, while reminding us of the power of genuine human connection and the support that can be found within our workplace community. This is her story:
"You learn a lot about a company when you join it. You learn even more about it when life gets difficult."
I've been part of zooplus for more than five years, and during that time I've celebrated some of life's most special moments here, including getting married and becoming a mum. I've also faced some of the most challenging ones.
As a Talent Acquisition Expert, I speak to candidates every day about our culture, values, and people. This year, those conversations became much more personal. I didn't just talk about our values. I experienced them.
In January, I returned from maternity leave. Like many parents returning to work, I worried about catching up, adapting to changes, and finding my balance again. What I expected to be stressful became one of the warmest experiences of my career! My colleagues welcomed me back with patience, support, and even flowers waiting on my desk. They gave me the time and space I needed to settle in, making me feel genuinely understood and valued. I remember thinking that every woman returning from maternity leave deserves to feel this supported.
Just as I was finding my rhythm again, February brought unexpected news. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Receiving that diagnosis felt like a dividing line between "before" and "after." I was frightened and overwhelmed, but I knew I needed support.
Being open about my situation turned out to be one of the most important decisions I made. My manager's empathy and understanding reassured me that my health came first. There was never any pressure to carry on as though nothing had changed. Instead, I was encouraged to focus on my treatment and recovery, knowing I had the support I needed. That experience showed me what compassionate leadership truly looks like.
My team stepped in whenever I needed time for appointments or treatment, regularly checked in on me, and made sure I never felt alone despite working across different locations.
I was also deeply touched by the support I received from colleagues in Kraków. People reached out with kind messages, checked how I was doing, and offered support simply because they cared. Those gestures may seem small, but during difficult moments they can mean everything. They reminded me that the workplace is more than the work we do. It's the people with whom we share it.
Values Through This Journey
In Talent Acquisition, I have the privilege of introducing people to zooplus and helping them understand what we stand for. Our values are an important part of those conversations.
After more than five years here, I feel most connected to the value of Care. For me, care means recognising the person behind the role. It means understanding that life doesn't stop when we log in for work, and that sometimes people need flexibility, patience, or simply someone willing to listen. This year, I experienced it in a way I will never forget through my manager's support, my team's kindness, and the colleagues who took the time to check in when I needed it most.
Openness has taken on a deeper meaning, too. It means being able to speak honestly about what you are going through and trusting you will be met with understanding. It is also about creating a culture where people feel safe enough to be human, not just professional.
Courage has taken on a new meaning for me, too. My manager once told me that he saw courage in me. Those words stayed with me. I don't always feel brave, and facing a health challenge is not something anyone chooses. But I've learned that courage isn't always about feeling fearless. Sometimes, it's about continuing forward when the next step feels difficult. Some days, simply showing up, trusting the process, and accepting support from the people around you takes a great deal of strength. To me, that is courage.
These are the values I want candidates to experience when they join zooplus. Not just hear about during an interview, but feel in the way people work together every day.
When Benefits Become Personal
Like many people, I used to think of employee benefits mainly as practical perks: a Multisport card, convenient access to a doctor, or other everyday benefits that add convenience to daily life. I still value those benefits, but going through a serious health challenge completely changed my perspective on what meaningful employee support really looks like.
Our Unum insurance provided important financial protection, while access to medical guidance helped me navigate the next steps. It showed me that the true value of support often becomes clear when you need it most. That's when support stops being an item on a benefits list and becomes something tangible: reassurance, guidance, financial protection, and the feeling that you have somewhere to turn.
Fortunately, my diagnosis came with a positive outlook, and I am deeply grateful for that, and for the medical care and personal support that have helped me through this experience.
What Makes This Workplace So Special?
Today, when I speak to candidates, I can share something more personal.
I can tell them about returning from maternity leave and feeling genuinely welcomed. About a manager who prioritised my wellbeing. About colleagues who supported me when I needed to step back. And about people who reminded me that kindness can come from the most unexpected places.
These experiences reinforced something I've always believed: culture isn't defined by the words on a website. It's defined by what truly happens when those words are put into action.
To everyone who checked in, offered support, or simply reminded me that I wasn't alone, I am truly grateful. I'm proud to be part of a company where our values are more than words we talk about. I've had the privilege of experiencing those values first-hand, and I never take that for granted. That's what being part of zooplus means to me.
