Tim Hortons: An Inclusive & Diverse Employer
Shelley Dean, the franchise owner of Tim Horton’s in Renfrew, believes in inclusive hiring, she is proud of the fact that her business has people who identify as living with a disability working there. At a time when filling vacancies can be difficult, Shelley has adopted a strategy of joining a mentorship program and providing an opportunity for prospective employees to try the job on and find out more about the type of work they are considering.
Shelley partnered with Lisa Hazelwood a Team Lead from Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc. (PPRC), to arrange the mentoring opportunity. Susan Forster, the Mentorship Coordinator at PPRC, identified a suitable job candidate in Julia Turner. PPRC is a vocational rehabilitation company that works with people who self-identify as living with a disability and assists them in finding suitable employment. Susan introduced Julia as a protégé, and a mentor match was made for the combined position of truck loader and lobby worker.
Shelley Dean, the franchise owner of Tim Horton’s in Renfrew, believes in inclusive hiring, she is proud of the fact that her business has people who identify as living with a disability working there. At a time when filling vacancies can be difficult, Shelley adopted a strategy of joining in the mentoring program and provided an opportunity for prospective employees to try the job on and find out more about the type of work they are considering.
Julia wanted to be sure she could handle the job, so she was paired with Lisa Hazelwood a job coach from PPRC, and Kyle from Tim Horton’s, to try out the two positions. A mentor match gives job seekers the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge about a career in a field where they want to work. Mentoring also aids in solidifying career goals. We were confident that this experience would increase Julia’s self-confidence about her existing abilities and demonstrate her capacity to learn new skills.
Kyle stated, “She is a pleasure to work with and Julia is learning quickly and doing great.” Truck loaders must arrive at dawn (5 a.m.) to unload Tim Hortons products from the trucks and then load them into the fridge, freezer, or onto the shelves where the store has all the items it requires to sell to customers. A truck loader must be able to work cooperatively in a team in a fast-paced environment.
Lisa from PPRC observed, “She jumped in and was hands-on.” When working the lobby, it involves cleaning tables, trays, and washrooms, and taking care of the garbage. Lisa continued, “Having an eye for detail is a good thing for this job.”
Shelley stated we put a premium on helping customers and creating a family-oriented team. We watch for soft skills, and an employee’s ability to relate to the customers in a friendly manner. After the MentorAbility match, Julia was offered a job and accepted. Manager Ann Hill says, “I was glad I was able to help and that I was recruiting for a position that would suit Julia’s talents and needs.”
Julia was glad to have had the opportunity and thanked both Tim Horton’s and PPRC for their support. “I learned a great deal; they were accommodating when I voiced my initial concerns when it came to duties. When it came to training, they were clear, concise, and patient with me.”
The match was a success, proof that an inclusive approach to recruitment and onboarding can be furthered through a mentoring program. To learn more about PPRC’s fully bilingual vocational rehabilitation services and the Mentorship Program, contact Susan Forster at sforster@pprc.ca or visit our website at www.pprc.ca.