Professionals working in the field of Supported Employment / Employment Inclusion recognize that employment service outcomes for people with disabilities require the engagement and participation of employers. We also recognize that although the foundation of our work is to assist people with disabilities to identify, pursue, acquire and maintain employment – employers must be equally served through this work and through our service commitment to them.
Service Providers can assist businesses with recruitment, onboarding and retention. We also play a role in building employer capacity around Diversity and Inclusion. It is important that Service Providers reflect an understanding of the businesses they engage, responsiveness to their personnel management needs and a strong ‘customer service ethic.’ In keeping with these principles, our services are committed to the following standards and practices in employer engagement.
Service Alignment with Business Needs
- Develop services and train staff to be an expert resource to employers
- Ensure that interventions along the service continuum explore and verify skills, abilities, readiness, employment goals and job targets along with any accommodations or supports which would be required to facilitate greater employment success, performance and job retention
- Ensure that requisite resources are in place to effectively support the prospective candidate and employer with recruitment, onboarding and employment retention
- Ensure that staff reflect excellent ‘customer service’ values and etiquette with employers
Recruitment
- Commit to building a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship with Businesses
- Familiarize ourselves with the business, personnel needs, operations and work culture
- Provide resources and accurate information to assist employers with inclusive recruitment
- Facilitate ‘talent-matching’ – bringing the best candidate forward for the specific workplace
- Ensure employers are aware of any accommodations required for interviews
- Assist employers with interviews in terms of communication, accommodation and facilitating information exchange, as per the employer’s and candidate’s needs and wishes
Onboarding
- Provide accurate information to the employer about the range and scope of services available
- Verify and document job description, performance and workplace culture expectations
- Support the employee to understand and meet performance and culture expectations
- Assist with the identification and engagement of mentors and natural supports
- Augment (where required) the employer’s usual training and orientation processes (consultation)
- Consult and advise around reasonable accommodation where required
Retention
- Communicate our role in ‘diversity and inclusion capacity building’ to employers
- Document and adhere to the employer’s service expectations regarding service accessibility, resource provision as well as type and amount of contact
- Engage in regular discussions with employers to assess satisfaction, success and challenges
- Engage directly (where required / requested) to assist with training or other interventions
- Engage directly around changes to duties, supervision or processes to ensure job retention
- Advocate and facilitate resolution where concerns arise for employer or employee
- Remain accessible to employers and reflect excellent ‘customer service’
Service providers should be able to describe how they build employer capacity in inclusive recruitment and diversity management, specifically how their services can:
• Make recruitment and on-boarding accessible
• Address employee retention, performance management, career development and job changes
• Develop strategies and policies for supporting employees with disabilities
• Develop accommodation plans for employees with disabilities
CAES Community Partnerships: Considerations for Employers
As a Service Provider partnering with the Calgary business community since 1998, CAES can provide the following beneficial services to employers:
- References from other employers
- A formalized program which provides a range of recruitment, onboarding and retention services
- An established system for workplace ‘talent-matching’ and ensuring ‘talent-readiness’
- Documentation to verify this job target as an appropriate talent match (action/investment plan etc.)
- Staff and resources to assist with orientation, training, mentorship / workplace peer support development
- Support communicating job performance expectations and addressing concerns if required
These guiding principles have allowed CAES to have successful, long term relationships with the Calgary business community. Contact us today to see how CAES services can benefit your organization!