Labber Stories: Kristian Melson

I joined Copylab in 2021 as their Operations Manager. When I was looking for a new opportunity, it was imperative for me to find a company with solid values that they stood by, rather than just display on their website. Copylab talked about being a people business, and their values rang true to me. Before I interviewed, I had concerns about working in financial services, which is known for long hours and stressful workloads. But the interviews put me at ease, and they kept mentioning the flexibility that Copylab offered, including two paid volunteering days a year. When I was offered the job, I didn’t need to think twice before accepting.

Helping in my community is incredibly important to me; since joining Copylab, I’ve had the time and flexibility to work with Round Table in Linlithgow, a charitable organisation that raises money for local causes. In November and December, I was given volunteering time to help with “Santa’s Sleigh”, which involved me dressing up as Father Christmas and being towed around the town in Rudolph (who looked a lot like a BMW X3), knocking on doors, collecting donations and greeting all the local children. In July, I welcomed a Ukrainian refugee who I am sponsoring into our home, and Copylab has been great at giving me time off to take her to appointments and to help her settle in.

The flexibility Copylab provides me works both ways, because I trust them to ensure that work does not get in the way of my life and that I am free to pursue what is important to me. I then feel a lot more energised and productive when I am working, so I believe they are getting a better version of me because of it.