Narelle Lehmann, Senior Administrator of Faggs Mitre 10 Belmont Timber has provided this story relating to Be Inclusive.
Please provide a brief background and some context:
Faggs Mitre 10 Belmont Timber have a history of supporting new staff who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. We’re committed to do this as ‘business as usual’ as part of our culture and commitment to our local community. We’ve been involved with GROW since its inception in 2015.
What steps did you take to make a change?
We’ve had ongoing relationships with GForce and now 4GR… We’ve had a variety of staff work for us; and we’ve tried hard to understand the vastly different backgrounds and experiences of those we are trying to assist…Last year one of our employees had started with us and was a young father while also needing to look after his younger siblings.
What was different after the change?
By taking the time to understand; to not just assume and judge, we are coaching our new employees to understand their new work commitment and grow their ‘match fitness’ for working. We ensure they have a buddy to check on them daily after I’ve ‘held their hand’ for the first few days eg meeting them at 7am at the start of their shift; following them up at the end of the day.
We are mindful of just what a big deal it is for people who have been unemployed to get used to a new routine. It’s challenging for our managers on the front line but we understand how important it is to be flexible and patient.
What was the outcome?
The difference it can make to someone’s life is so heartening to see. We never really know what is going on in the backgrounds of peoples’ lives. To be a role model, or a mentor for a person trying to break the cycle of unemployment is a very satisfying part of my job.
