About five years ago, I was part of a pilot group for my employer tasked with figuring out how to hire and mentor people with disabilities and make them successful inside the organisation. My boss decided to be the executive sponsor for the pilot and he was very kind. Until then we had only hired people with visually challenged disability.
I led the interview process and hiring of a candidate with an autism disability. The candidate had the qualifications but our interview panel felt that the disability would prevent him from learning the skills and being successful in the role.
I convinced my peers to give him a role, and try out - after all, it was a pilot program meant for our organisation to learn too. I gave the candidate a lot of encouragement and I became one of his mentors. Our HR department was not too supportive to take some risks so we could only hire him as a temporary contractor.
The candidate slowly and surely blossomed in the workplace. There were many bumps along the way but the candidate came to be accepted by his colleagues and his leadership. I continued to mentor him closely and helped him to get around a number of challenges his disability presented at the workplace and home. The candidate too won many friends and admiration at the workplace.
Fast forward five years, he called me last night to let me know that he got a formal offer yesterday from his manager as a regular employee with a job title.
I congratulated him and told him my joy knew no bounds on his success. He went on to say "Sir, without your support all these years, I would not be here". I told him "Your success is the reward of your hard work and persistence. You are an inspiration to a lot of people with similar disabilities."
Isn't wonderful a person with disability is thriving in a workplace and makes his family so proud?
I led the interview process and hiring of a candidate with an autism disability. The candidate had the qualifications but our interview panel felt that the disability would prevent him from learning the skills and being successful in the role.
I convinced my peers to give him a role, and try out - after all, it was a pilot program meant for our organisation to learn too. I gave the candidate a lot of encouragement and I became one of his mentors. Our HR department was not too supportive to take some risks so we could only hire him as a temporary contractor.
The candidate slowly and surely blossomed in the workplace. There were many bumps along the way but the candidate came to be accepted by his colleagues and his leadership. I continued to mentor him closely and helped him to get around a number of challenges his disability presented at the workplace and home. The candidate too won many friends and admiration at the workplace.
Fast forward five years, he called me last night to let me know that he got a formal offer yesterday from his manager as a regular employee with a job title.
I congratulated him and told him my joy knew no bounds on his success. He went on to say "Sir, without your support all these years, I would not be here". I told him "Your success is the reward of your hard work and persistence. You are an inspiration to a lot of people with similar disabilities."
Isn't wonderful a person with disability is thriving in a workplace and makes his family so proud?
1063 Reads
- Posted by cheeka
- Aug 20, 2022
- Comments (12)
Readers Comments
DANCE wrote: Wonderful! Thank uuuuuu
pluto178 wrote: A wonderful story truly lovely…..I once employed someone and everyone said it was a mistake she turned out to be the best we ever had so take a chance on people who doubly appreciate the offer of a job x
Mish wrote: Inspiring! 🙏
mindyjourney wrote: Thank YOU for making such a positive difference in this person’s life as well as the workplace :)).
Drewtopian_1 wrote: Yes, it is. I'm glad he's working.
Rajni wrote: You did a wonderful job of mentoring a candidate with autism disability and make him a winner.
All the organizations should encourage them. Why think negatively at the first place that they are not fit? Nothing is impossible in this world. You just proved it.
May others get inspired to hire people with autism disability or else.
All the organizations should encourage them. Why think negatively at the first place that they are not fit? Nothing is impossible in this world. You just proved it.
May others get inspired to hire people with autism disability or else.
scully wrote: Cheeka, that is awesome and amazing, and so important for being valued in the community. I have worked with adults and kids on the autism spectrum for many years, and they have taught me so much.
Helenconnell2 wrote: That is absolutely wonderful!
dotmatrix wrote: Such a heartwarming, inspiring story, Cheeka. ♥.
cheeka wrote: I am so glad to see such wonderful messages and hear your own experiences of working with people having a disability. As you say, It is really a humbling experience. Thank you for your kindness.
