A Flex Employee Speaks: Maciej Bielawski

More than eighteen years ago , Maciej Bielawski left Poland for the Netherlands. He wanted to work, see new things, and discover what life would be like in another country. What began as an exciting move to a new country grew into a stable life. Maciej gained experience working for various clients, became increasingly independent, and eventually found his place in the Netherlands.

One thing has remained the same all these years: his partnership with Flexspecialisten. Looking back, Maciej says, “I never thought I’d be working here for so long. But my experience has simply been a good one. I’ve been working through Flexspecialisten for a very long time, so I think that says it all.”

Time for the next step

Before Maciej came to the Netherlands, he lived and worked in the Bydgoszcz area of Poland. Among other things, he worked in a furniture factory and as a driver. When the company he was working for at the time started to struggle, he decided to look for other opportunities. Maciej says: “I wanted to see something different and try working somewhere else.”

The Netherlands piqued his curiosity. He’d heard stories about Amsterdam and Rotterdam, but he was also curious about something the Netherlands is known for worldwide: flowers. Through our recruitment partner Work Force in Bydgoszcz, Maciej was able to start working at Flexspecialisten. In 2007, he moved to the Netherlands.

Got off to a good start

Working in a new country is a big step. Especially when you don’t speak the language and don’t know exactly what to expect on your first day of work. Maciej also found that initial period nerve-wracking. At the same time, he immediately realized he wasn’t on his own: “The first time, they accompanied me to my job. If I needed anything—like a phone—they helped me out.” His first employer was Eurostrip in Den Bosch, where he worked with concrete and gypsum boards. It was physically demanding work and different from the driving jobs he’d done in Poland. Still, Maciej didn’t let that get him down. He says, “. I wanted to work, so I worked.”

That down-to-earth attitude runs like a common thread through his story: getting things done, continuing to learn, and becoming increasingly independent. In the years that followed, he worked for various clients through Flexspecialisten . He learned new skills, gained a lot of hands-on experience, and was able to work more and more independently.

“The first time, they came with me to work. If I needed something—like a phone—they helped me with that, too.”

Working every day among the Dutch flowers

These days, Maciej works at Jumbo Flowers and Plants in Veghel. The flowers that once sparked his curiosity about the Netherlands are now part of his daily work.

How does he like working at Jumbo? He doesn’t have to think long about that: “Great.”
Maciej has an important role in the logistics process. He describes his daily tasks: “I check which flowers have arrived, which locations are empty, and what needs to be restocked. I make sure the order pickers can keep working without any worries.”

His job requires attention to detail, a broad perspective, and the ability to think ahead. Maciej walks a lot, operates an electric vehicle, and constantly keeps an eye on what needs to be done. His years of experience and practical approach come in very handy in this role.

When asked where he gets his energy from during such a busy workday, a smile spreads across his face. His answer?“Red Bull.”

A life built in the Netherlands

What began as a desire to try something new grew, in the years that followed, into much more than just working in the Netherlands. Maciej built his life here step by step. While the language barrier was still a challenge at first and many things were new to him, the Netherlands now feels like home. Maciej: “After so many years, I feel at home here. I’ve gotten used to it and have built my life here.”

Maciej knows from personal experience that moving to another country can be nerve-wracking. You find yourself in a new environment, may not speak the language yet, and don’t know exactly what to expect beforehand. Still, he would especially encourage others from Poland or other countries who are considering working in the Netherlands to take that step:“Just give it a try. It might take some getting used to at first, but if you’re willing to work, everything will be fine.”

A partnership that has lasted for more than eighteen years

Clients and projects changed, but Maciej remained with Flexspecialisten all those years. He expresses what he values about the company as simply as it is clearly: “Everything is always well organized. Things are great at work, too, and that’s what matters most to me.”

That statement, in particular, speaks volumes. Because good support isn’t just about the big moments. It’s also about helping someone get started on a nerve-wracking first day at work, being available when they need something, and ensuring they have a workplace that suits them.
His story shows what can happen when dedication, trust, and good guidance come together: diverse work experiences, increased independence, and ultimately a stable future in the Netherlands. That’s what he’s most proud of: “The fact that, after all these years, I’m still working here and have found my place.”

And will he continue to work through Flexspecialisten for another eighteen years?“We’ll see,” hesays with a laugh and a wink. Whatever the future holds, Maciej’s story began with a desire to try something new. More than eighteen years later, that decision has not only led him to various jobs and valuable work experience, but also to a place that has come to feel like home.

“I didn’t think I’d end up working here for this long. But my experience has been really good. I’ve been working through Flexspecialisten for a long time now, so I think that says it all.”