Job Placement of Amandeep

A presentation by:Erin Sutherland, Liane Mendonca, Su-Ann Liu, and Kathleen Campbell

CASE HISTORY

Amandeep is a 55 year old woman. She was injured while employed as a baker’s assistant for Debbie’s bakery.

The injury occurred on December 15th 2008 when Amandeep and her co-worker were carrying a 100 lb container of flour from the stock area of the bakery to the processing area. Amandeep’s co-worker slid on some spilled flour causing her to stumble backwards. As a result Amdandeep was pulled forwards and experienced an immediate sharp pain in her lower back.

Her claim was accepted for a lumbar strain/sprain and an L5/S1 disc herniation.

Medical status

Amandeep received numerous medical investigations and treatments including: x-rays a MRI a CT scan steroid injections surgery physiotherapy rehabilitation and pain programs

Medical Status The Workers’ Compensation Board has

determined the following restrictions/limitations: no prolonged walking, standing, or sitting light work only

Amandeep reports no additional medical concerns.

Pre-injury job duties

As a baker’s assistant, Amandeep’s job duties included: lifting and moving baking ingredients using the mixer transporting and rolling dough cutting dough dusting products with sugar placing products on trays ensuring that ordered products arrive maintaining a log of orders (using Excel) assisting with customer service taking customers’ orders cashing out at the end of shifts daily clean-up.

Current vocational status

Amandeep’s injury disables her from performing her pre-injury job duties.

Debbie’s bakery has confirmed that there is not an alternative position available.

Amandeep thus has no position to return to.

Background Information

Amandeep was born in Punjab, India. She immigrated to Canada in 1974 following her wedding. She had three children and occupied her time as a home

maker until all of her children graduated from high school. In 1996, Amadeep began working part-time at Debbie’s

bakery. In 1997, she became a full-time, permanent employee. Amandeep’s experience at Debbie’s bakery is her sole

employment experience. She obtained this position as a result of a contact.

Education / Computer knowledge

Amandeep completed high school in India. Upon arrival in Canada, she partook in ESL courses

and improved her English to an intermediate level. She is able to verbally communicate effectively. Amandeep can read English. She does; however,

have difficulty writing English. She describes herself as being comfortable using

the internet, e-mail, and beginners’ level Microsoft

Word and Excel.

Other vocational information

Amandeep is a social person and an active member of the Sikh community. She volunteers at the temple and other fundraising and community events.

She enjoys cooking, going for walks, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Amandeep is anxious regarding her ability to find employment. She states that she is required to work to repay their debts of over $20 000. Her husband, whom is ten years her senior, is retired.

She is motivated to return to her pre injury life, including work. She notes that her family is very supportive, and her children assist financially whenever they can.

Return-to-work Barriers

Physical limitations as indicated on the WCB claim.

Limited work experience. Limited language skills, in particular writing

skills. Amandeep’s high level of anxiety may

impact her interview and test performance.

Job Development Resources: Work Assessment

WCB may cover work assessments to determine what employment positions are appropriate for Amandeep, taking into consideration her physical disabilities, her comfort level, and her work ethic and productivity.

Job Development Resources: On Site Training

As a financial incentive, WCB offers cost-sharing for employees requiring on site training. Amandeep has transferable skills; however, she may require a short period of training to meet the requirements of a prospective employer. She has demonstrated trainability in her prior work experience.

Job Development Resources: Networking

Amandeep is an active member in her community and has an extensive history of volunteering and participating in social, cultural and religious events. She likely has a wealth of contacts that can be explored during her employment search.

COBS Bread

Since 2003, COBS Bread has grown to over 60 bakeries across three Canadian provinces.

Potential Employment Positions at COBS Bread

Bakery Manager Assistant Bakery Manager Production Manager Production Team Leader Baker Junior Baker Sales Manager Sales Team Leader Sales Assistant

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Why COBS BREAD?

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Why COBS Bread: Client’s Interests and Skills

Amandeep initially wished to return to work at Debbie’s Bakery.

Her impairments disable her from performing her pre-injury job duties and Debbie’s bakery has confirmed that there are no alternate positions available.

COBS Bread is likely able to provide Amandeep with a position that closely matches the job description of her previous position.

Why COBS Bread: Value development & support for staff

This bakery seem to place value in the development and support of its staff members. All bakery staff participate in a

regular staff performance review. Management also uses various performance tools to encourage staff success.

Employees and family members of COBS Bread have access to a third party Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides counselling and support regarding personal or work difficulties. It is completely confidential.

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Why COBS Bread: Larger Company

• According to Berkeley Planning Associates (1982) large firms are more likely to hire and accommodate persons with disabilities for the following reasons:• pre-existing affirmative action mechanisms• likelihood of encountering persons with disabilities

due to sheer number of workers employed• much greater diversity in job types with more

opportunity for hiring and greater flexibility in job assignments.

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The Hiring Process at COBS BREAD

• Depending on the position, COBS Bread may offer the job applicant a trial employment opportunity to determine whether the position is suitable.

• Although not a formal job offer, the job applicant will be paid for this trial shift.

Presenting Amandeep

• Amandeep will be presented as a trainable, reliable, and skilled employee.• It will be highlighted that although she began as a part-time baker’s assistant

with little work experience, she was promptly offered a full-time position by her previous employer.

• It will be presented that with 10 years of valuable service at Debbie’s Bakery, Amandeep has a great understanding of the daily operations of a bakery.• She has rotated through the many tasks of production and store front

customer service.• In addition to excellent product knowledge, Amandeep has demonstrated her

ability to work in a fast paced sales oriented environment.

Presenting Amandeep

• Amandeep’s long history of employment will be presented to highlight her ability to maintain working relationships and contribute to a positive working environment.

• In her personal life, Amandeep is a social and active person who truly enjoys people.

Suitable Position Within COBS Bread for Amandeep• Considering Amandeep’s work experience we recommend her

for a supervisory position at the store front.

• She may be trained to managing the daily operation of the bakery store front including:• Supervising staff• Scheduling• Training new employees on product knowledge, customer service

and completing orders on excel• Opening and closing the tills.• Cash deposit at the end of the day.• Oversee the receiving and delivery of products.• Managing larger orders. QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Cheat Sheet for Presenting Amandeep to the Employer:

Use valuing language. Emphasize job seeker’s ability to contribute. Focus on job seeker’s interests, positive qualities, and skills. Communicate that VRCs are skilled at assessing client’s

strengths and needs, subsequently facilitating a job match. Do not use ‘deficit marketing’ including negative descriptors. Do not induce fear in an employer by using jargons

unnecessarily.

A brief presentation on Amandeep to answer the employer's question, "Tell me about the job seeker?"

Amandeep

55 year old woman. Wife, mother, and grandmother. Socially active in her community. Enjoys cooking, going for walks, and spending

time with her family. Languages: English and Punjabi.

Work Experience

In 1996, Amandeep began employment as a part-time baker’s assistant with little experience in the baking industry.

Shortly after she was offered a full-time, permanent position which she maintained for over 10 years.

What does this say about the Amandeep?

TRAINABLE

DEPENDABLE

SKILLED

Knowledgeable about food safe practices.

Excellent interpersonal skills, Able to work in fast paced

environment. Able to provide excellent customer

service.

Job Specific Skills & Knowledge Accumulated: Production

Assisting Bakers with the operation of appliances, rolling and cutting dough, dusting products with sugar, and putting products on trays.

Job Specific Skills & Knowledge Accumulated: Store Front Provide friendly and efficient

customer service Establish rapport with

customers in the community Selling products Opening and closing cash

registers Process cash, debit and credit

payments Managing store presentation Maintain order logs on Excel Follow up on orders and

delivery Mentor new employees

Disclosure

The VRC would discuss with Amandeep options regarding disability disclosure to employer considering: whether to disclose, when to disclose, who should disclose and what to disclose.

If the VRC discloses the disability to the employer, they are required to obtain the client’s written consent.

The VRC would discuss information about the particular disability including providing the employer with a fact sheet with general disability information.

Disclosure If Amandeep were to disclose to the employer she should

discuss her specific physical disability and related WCB restrictions/limitations.

The VRC would empower Amandeep to present strengths and abilities but identify challenges and request workplace accommodations.

Amandeep and the employer would discuss possible workplace accommodations resulting from disclosure including: ability to take breaks, shorter shifts, have flexible light duty job tasks that vary sitting, standing, and walking.

Interview Preparation• Assess client’s current skills, talents, abilities, interests, accomplishments,

achievements and work values – focus on the client’s strengths and positive work

attributes.• Discuss support needs of the client including supports and job customization and

ensure client is knowledgeable and familiar with possible accommodations needed. • Prepare in-hand information for client to refer to regarding support needs.• Teach interview techniques and skills.• Role-play interview and practice typical and targeted interview questions• Help client to update resume.• Assist client to become knowledgeable about the company and the potential position.• Help client prepare questions to ask the potential employer.• Advise client on appropriate verbal language, attire and body language. • Arrange a plan for attending the appointment – discuss location, getting there and

arriving early.

Role of VRC: PRE-INTERVIEW

• Establish contact with potential employer.

• Provide general disability information to

employer.

• Gain employer’s trust, eliminate concerns,

and explore job opportunities.

• Provide introduction of client to employer

focusing on client’s skills and strengths as

an asset to the workplace.

• Identify benefits of hiring client to employer.

• Identify possibility for individualized job

description.

• Set-up interview between client and

employer.

• Establish any necessary accommodations

for interview.

• Learn about company’s disability related

services and supports

Role of VRC: DURING INTERVIEW

• Provide support to client during interview process.

• Encourage client to answer questions regarding job customization.

• Act as a resource for additional information on workplace

accommodations if necessary.

• Identify supports available to employer through Vocational

Rehabilitation Professional.

• Recognize anything missed or overlooked during the interview

process.

• Answer any additional questions if client is unable to do so.

Role of VRC: POST INTERVIEW

• Debrief interview with client.• Address any client concerns.• Review and address any improvements in

client’s interviewing skills.• Discuss client’s steps for follow-up to

interview.• Follow-up with employer subsequent to client.