Employee of the month

Posted 3/26/15

Finding a job in this economy is tough enough as it is – Rhode Island’s unemployment rate is only just starting to fall – but for those individuals with disabilities, the job search becomes …

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Employee of the month

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Finding a job in this economy is tough enough as it is – Rhode Island’s unemployment rate is only just starting to fall – but for those individuals with disabilities, the job search becomes more difficult.

For anyone looking for a job, there is a question of qualifications, the level of education and personality fit, but for those living with a developmental disability, looking for a job also comes with a stigma.

This stigma says individuals with developmental disabilities, for some reason, are incapable, or won’t be able to handle the stress of the workday.

Employers want to know that their employees can be counted on to show up and perform and there is no reason for them to think persons with a developmental disability cannot live up to those standards.

They can even be the employee of the month.

Emily Brown, who has a developmental disability, was hired by Buffalo Wild Wings last year and in February she was named the employee of the month.

Emily works as a prep cook, preparing portion sizes for the various foods available at the restaurant.

Her manager, Eric Shapiro, raved about her, calling her essential in getting the restaurant open every day. She started there with a coach and initially had trouble memorizing the many different portion sizes. She and her coach created a small chart that she could reference and there have been no problems since.

Lo and behold, Emily isn’t the only one using the chart; many of the other employees have referenced that same chart when they can’t remember portions.

Many of the obstacles for people with developmental disabilities are similar to ones new employees face when starting a job.

Emily’s manager says she is hardworking and always asks to do more when she has finished one task, consistently looking for more to do.

This proves just how hardworking someone with this disability can be; they are willing to go that extra mile.

More than just a job for the pay, for those with developmental disabilities, working is way to integrate into the community, create ties in the place they live and make friends.

March is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and as it comes to a close, it’s important to know that as capable and willing as many of these individuals are, a good portion of them are unemployed.

Luckily though, there have been other businesses throughout the years that have seen past that stereotype to see this population is hardworking and loyal.

Buffalo Wild Wings has even committed to hiring two new employees with developmental disabilities with the help of the Trudeau Memorial Center.

Those organizations taking positive steps toward hiring employees with developmental disabilities are being rewarded for their efforts with an exceptional employee. Emily has proven that.

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