Edmond motel might have the world’s most devoted employee
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) – Most good employees are dependable, responsible and hard working. But what defines a great employee? One man in Edmond is certainly going above and beyond!
Manuel Diaz is a maintenance man at the Executive Inn motel. He loves his job so much that he rarely ever takes a day off.
“He has the option for days off, but he loves this place like it’s his own,” said Manager Jamie Robinson. “He’s always happy-go-lucky. He’s always joking around. He always just puts a smile on your face.”
Manuel has shown up to work almost every single day for nearly 24 years!
“I clean the room, I make the beds,” Manuel said as he fluffed a comforter.
Manuel says on his days off, he can only stand to sit around his house for three or four hours before he gets the itch to come check on things at the motel, where he earns a salary and is not compensated for the extra hours he chooses to work.
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“He works seven days a week, I’ve only been here about a year and the whole time I’ve been here, he’s only had two days off, pretty much because he was made to take the days off,” Jamie said. “He’s just one of those people that work – it’s just what he does, it’s what makes him happy.”
To reward one of the world’s most devoted employees, Jamie nominated Manuel for a $400 Pay It 4Ward award, presented by Zach Shirley with First Fidelity Bank.
“His birthday was actually yesterday, so I feel like this is great timing,” she said.
“Well, Jamie, we are so excited that you nominated Manuel. He sounds like an extraordinary man, and it is such a privilege on behalf of First Fidelity Bank to present you with $400 so you can pay it forward,” Zach said, handing the money to Jamie. “Awesome, thank you!” she replied.
Our News 4 crew, along with Jamie and Zach, caught up with Manuel to surprise him, as he was one his way to clean another room.
“Oh, thank you very much!” Manuel said, whose first language is Spanish. “Yesterday’s my birthday, this is present for me.”
Jamie said, “You know I think you’re awesome, everybody else does. And I just wanted to let you know that.”
A very grateful Manuel repeatedly said how much he loves his job. “I love you, my work,” he said. “Sometimes I [do] housekeeping, sometimes cut the grass. I like working, I like working. Maybe when me, I no feeling good, I can [take] off.”
A small token of gratitude for a lifelong, irreplaceable employee, who plans to send some of his hard-earned reward to family members in Mexico.
If you know someone deserving of a Pay It 4Ward award, you can nominate them here.
Pay It 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity Bank.
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