1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you to PayStream?
I’m half Italian, half British-Pakistani and grew up in Singapore! After university, I spent a lot of time in Asia as a Scuba Diving Instructor which were some of the best years of my life. In 2020 I moved to the UK in search of a new career path. I was ready to hang up my fins in search of a more stable lifestyle that would allow me to see my family more often as they all live across Europe.
I wanted a career in which I could put my maths and administration skills to use, but it was difficult to find a role to begin with due to COVID being in full effect. Eventually, I found an open position for a Payroll Administrator at PayStream and jumped at the chance!
2. What is a typical day at PayStream like?
In the Payroll department we normally start the day with a team call to organise our day and make sure no one is without help. From there, we plug away at spreadsheets, payments, invoices and much more, ensuring contractors are paid on time. Each day is different and will pose a variety of queries to solve so it’s never dull. The best part about it is that there is always someone willing to help no matter how busy it gets, especially at the end of the day when targets need to be met.
3. How does PayStream compare to your previous workplaces?
I’d never worked for a company as big as PayStream before and was unsure whether I’d be able to find my place in it, but I was so surprised when I started and found that I would be working as part of a small team within our Payroll department. Even during COVID when I hadn’t met some people face to face, I would message someone to ask for help and every time, I was met with a genuine and kind response – it was very reassuring and certainly helped me to settle at PayStream. Each department has its own culture but it’s all part of one big company culture, which is something that makes coming to work enjoyable.
4. What three words would you use to describe PayStream?
Kind, nurturing and fun.
5. What do you enjoy most about working at PayStream?
The people really do make this company what it is. It’s not one of those jobs where you get in and get out at the end of the day as quickly as possible. I enjoy going to work and having a laugh with my team, it makes such a difference when you get on with colleagues. PayStream also organises fantastic work events which allow me to get to know new people in a different setting. I definitely would not have made the friends for life that I have in this company had it not been for the way we are given the opportunity to integrate.
6. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I always wanted to be a marine biologist, I studied at the University of Nottingham and got a degree in Biology, after which I spent some time as a research diver collecting data from marine parks in Fiji. Life’s not too shabby when you get to live in a bikini and make friends with the resident sea turtle!
7. What are your favourite things to do outside of work?
Charity shops are my favourite places to be in the world. I can spend hours in them and drive for miles out and around Manchester every weekend to try find some new ones! You never know what you’re going to find in them, and when my sister told me she bought a painting for £50 just to find out it was worth thousands, I really had to step up my game.
Are you a PayStream Person?
We are really proud to say that Sarah's PayStream success story is just one of many. That’s because we understand that our employees are our greatest asset so we put our people at the heart of everything we do.
When recruiting we look for like-minded individuals who will embrace the culture of the company, which is why we've developed a 'PayStream Person' which we believe encapsulates our star performers and therefore, in every new recruit we look for the following qualities: bright, personable, adaptable and a strong work ethic.
So if PayStream sounds like it would be a good fit for you and you are interested in joining the team email careers@paystream.co.uk.
