Hire for Talent

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 an employer. Although the foundation of the work of Service Providers is to assist people with disabilities to identify, pursue, acquire and maintain employment – employers must be equally served through this work and through a service commitment to them.

Service Providers assist businesses with many elements of diversity management including recruitment, onboarding and retention. Service Providers also play a role in building employer capacity around Diversity and Inclusion. It is important that Service Providers reflect a strong ‘service ethic’ which includes an understanding of the business as well as demonstrating responsiveness to their personnel management needs.

Hire for Talent does not have authority over Service Providers, however, where employer engagement has been facilitated through the Hire for Talent initiative (including website promotion, events and Workplace Inclusion Partnerships), affiliated Service Providers agree to the following minimum employer engagement / service standards:

Service Alignment with Business Needs:

1. Develop services and train staff to be effective ‘workplace inclusion resources’ to employers
2. Explore and verify talent, skills, readiness, employment goals and job targets of candidates along with any accommodations or supports required to facilitate employment success
3. Ensure that requisite resources are in place to effectively support the prospective candidate and employer with recruitment, onboarding and employment retention
4. Ensure that staff reflect collaborative ‘customer service’ values and etiquette with employers

Recruitment:

1. Become familiar with business’ personnel needs, operations and work culture
2. Provide resources and accurate information to assist employers with inclusive recruitment
3. Facilitate ‘talent-matching’ – bringing the best candidate forward for the specific workplace
4. Assist employers with interviews in terms of communication accommodation and facilitating information exchange, as per the employers’ and candidates’ needs and wishes

Onboarding:

1. Provide detailed information to the employer about the range and scope of services available
2. Verify and document job description, performance and workplace culture expectations
3. Support the employee to understand and meet performance and culture expectations
4. Assist with the identification and engagement of mentors and natural supports
5. Augment (where required) the employer’s usual training and orientation processes
6. Consult / advise around reasonable accommodation where required and ensure documentation 

Retention:

1. Communicate their role in supporting retention and inclusion to employers
2. Document the employer’s service expectations re accessibility, resources and the amount and type of contact (in keeping with the initial service model presented to the employer)
3. Engage in regular discussions with employers to assess satisfaction, success and challenges
4. Engage directly (when required or requested) to assist with training or other interventions
5. Engage directly around changes to duties, supervision or processes to ensure job retention
6. Advocate and facilitate resolution where concerns arise for employer or employee
7. Remain accessible and responsive to employers. It is essential that service providers listed on the Hire for Talent directory respond to employer inquiries within a maximum of 48 hours (2 business days).

Adapted from the Calgary Employment First Network 

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You may have important knowledge or experience about hiring people with disabilities; however, your answers suggest you should review Tools #2 and #3.

Here are some suggested tools to increase your confidence in hiring people with disabilities.

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Employer Guide

SERVICE PROVIDERS CAN HELP YOU!

There is help to become an inclusive employer! HIRE for TALENT includes a network of organizations offering services to help your business work with the Employer Toolkit, and to recruit, hire, train and retain people with disabilities.

Select any one of the following HIRE for TALENT partners and send them an email. This partner will then help to find a service provider NEAR YOU!


NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Servicing Regions Across Canada




Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work

CLICK HERE to locate a service provider near you.





The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE)

CLICK HERE to locate a service provider near you.

Ready, Willing & Able (RWA)

CLICK HERE to locate a service provider near you.





National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)

CLICK HERE to locate a service provider near you.





Independent Living – Montréal

CLICK HERE to locate a service provider near you.



PROVINCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

British Columbia

Open Door Group

CLICK HERE to locate a service provider near you.



Together, We Are Dedicated to Building an Inclusive Canadian Workforce.