progressive employers and capable employees safeway By Sylvia Jansen
Safeway knows that some of the most visible people in the store are the Courtesy Clerks—those who bag our groceries, who find that suddenly-remembered item, and who help us cart everything to our car. It is an important position that requires the right person. Main and Luxton Safeway in Winnipeg has one of the best in Darryl, the store’s longest serving Courtesy Clerk, who also happens to live with an intellectual disability.

Safeway values diversity in its employment practices, earning numerous awards for their initiatives throughout North America—but there is a lot more to it. Peter Darowski, Safeway’s Human Resource Director, explains that the practice is just good business. “It’s good business for the people in our stores to represent the communities we serve,” he says, “and people with disabilities are in our communities and our families. It’s good business because people working with intellectual disabilities really want to work—and an enthusiastic employee is invaluable. It’s also good business because these employees make a profound, human connection among staff and customers alike,” says Peter.

Darryl, at the Main and Luxton Store, clearly loves his work: he says he has a “dream job.” Manager Brent Severyn values that contribution. “Darryl is our senior Courtesy Clerk. He is reliable, respectful to all, and he enjoys helping people. What more could I ask for?” he says. “It takes an exceptional person to connect with people at all levels,” Brent adds, “and Darryl does it well.”

What advice would Brent give to another employer in hiring someone with an intellectual disability? “Meet the individual,” he offers. “Work with the support agency. And be open to exploring the possibilities.” It might mean layering new responsibilities carefully, but for the individual, their workplace, and the people they meet, the long-term benefits are immeasurable.

(Darryl’s support agency is Connect Employment Services Inc. Winnipeg, 474-1959,
www.connectemployment.ca.)

celebrating progressive
employers and capable
employees accurate lawn
& garden By Sylvia Jansen

Photo left to right: Trevor, together with John Neufeld
(owner, Accurate Lawn & Garden)

When the owners of Accurate Lawn & Garden Equipment hire new staff, they want people who are self-starters, team players and who are capable of getting the job done. John Neufeld, owner, has a small team of capable people who assemble, maintain and repair equipment and machinery. Among these employees is Trevor, who came to the company through a supported employment agency, Premier Personnel.

Premier Personnel works to support people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in finding success in regular workplaces. But what Trevor’s employer sees is a successful employee, not someone with a disability. Trevor was trained in power mechanics at Dakota Collegiate, but needed some help finding a job and getting started on the right foot. He started as a part-time employee with Accurate. Since then, Trevor has moved into full-time mechanic work.

For Accurate Lawn & Garden, high standards are important: equipment like snow blowers and power tools need to be well serviced to be safe. Moreover, it is a busy place: the owner, John, says “New people need to learn quickly, and fit in well. Trevor did that—every day he was learning more, and within a week he was fitting in.” John says they celebrate Trevor’s presence as a mechanic, and as a part of the team. His colleagues also know he has both an interest and an aptitude for this work. When any questions arise, regular follow-ups by the people at Premier Personnel help both employer and employee. It is the sort of arrangement that encourages creative problem solving and breaks stereotypes.

Every employer wants capable people who fit in, do well, and who want to excel. Accurate Lawn & Garden has such a person in Trevor.
(Trevor’s support agency is Premier Personnel, 949-1474, www.premierpersonnel.ca)