Giving Workers With Disabilities a Place to Thrive
Oklahoma resident John Hamilton was born deaf and has low vision, but through hard work and perseverance — and the proper accommodations and training to help him become a valued and beloved member of OU Children’s Hospital’s food services staff — he was recently promoted to a floor stock position. And he’s thriving in his new job.
With a few accommodations — including providing him with a magnifying lens to aid his low vision and increasing the font of tracking sheets — John gained skills to accomplish independent, fulfilling work that benefits the hospital’s workforce, according to Franklin Pasos, General Manager of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.
John came to OU Children’s Hospital through the Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) in Oklahoma City. The center supports people with disabilities through paid vocational training, in-house programs and work opportunities, and helps them connect with community employers. Pasos reached out to the center about two years ago during COVID, when the hospital was struggling to recruit healthcare facility employees.
I started emailing a couple of people and trying to get our job postings out there to recruit people. And then that's when I connected with the Dale Rogers Training Center, Pasos says. They screen people for what they can do. John was the fifth or sixth person that we got through DRTC.
This kind of partnership is the core of Sodexo’s Workforce Initiative program, launched in 2018 to help people with disabilities and members of other marginalized communities — including refugees, veterans, 55+, re-entry and socio-economically impacted to name a few — obtain stable, rewarding jobs.
When partnering with not-for-profit organizations, Sodexo looks for organizations that align with what we’re trying to achieve, says Gloria Puentes, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Strategic External Partnerships. We aim to bridge the gap between operators and employment candidates while considering their needs in the workplace.
"There are real benefits in coming through the Workforce Initiative, Puentes says. For instance, we had a candidate who was seeking a position — they came through one of our organizations that works with individuals who are autistic. On the applicant referral form, we ask them to let us know of any accommodations they may need so we can take care of it in advance. We were told that this candidate, who is very educated, would not do well on a screening, so HR provided them with the questions they would be asked during the interview so that they could be prepared."
"The benefit is when they come to the Sodexo Workforce Initiative, if we are made aware of any accommodations that need to be made ahead of time, we can take care of them upfront."
To date, Sodexo’s Workforce Initiative program has around 50 partnerships with not-for-profit organizations, with a presence in all 50 states.
"A partnership through the Sodexo Workforce Initiative is a win for all involved ... a win for the partner organization because they are connecting those they serve to a company committed to a diverse workforce; a win for the individual who may have been overlooked and is now accommodated for interviews and career opportunities — more than just a job; and a win for Sodexo, which gains access to candidates vetted by our partners."
John Hamilton’s story is just one example of what’s possible when a workplace is equitable and inclusive for employees of all abilities. It gives employees a place to belong and thrive, and it increases a company’s talent pool. It’s a win for both employers and employees when needs are met on both sides.
Read more about Sodexo’s Workforce Initiative program.