Last Tuesday afternoon equal opportunity employers in Prince Rupert received a surprise gift and a big thank you from Thompson Community Services (TCS).
“We’re here today because we are celebrating equal opportunity employers,” Melanie White, employment coach at TCS, said. TCS helps people with disabilities find employment that meets their capabilities and ensures they are paid the minimum wage.
One of the stops along the journey was at accounting firm Johal and Associates where employee Tracey Stace-Smith presented owner Pinder Johal with a personalized mug and a card.
“Tracey has been here for 20 years and she is always full of enthusiasm during the one day a week she comes in and the office just enjoys having her here. The enthusiasm on the job really gives back [to the workforce],” Johal said.
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“It’s so important for people to be included when they are working. They get a paycheck like everyone else, pay taxes like everyone else and they also feel included. They are a part of the team and get to go to any opportunities the employers might have,” White said.
White and her fellow coworkers at TCS worked with the employees on a list highlighting what the value of equal opportunity employers is to them, which was also read out to their employers:
I am worth it; I feel proud of my job and to be working like other people; I’m part of the team; I feel I have a purpose; I feel like I belong here; I feel respected; I feel valued; I get paid a fair wage, minimum wage or higher, same as everyone else; I get a pay stub and pay taxes; my work must be important and I must have skills to have a job here; I’m part of a union; I get invited to work functions; the other staff joke with me or talk to me; I can use the facilities at work; abd I love telling everyone about my job here.
The Northern View also received a pleasant surprise from our carrier Sam Jones who has been a carrier with us since our very first paper hit your front porch.
“We are so proud of Sam,” Todd Hamilton, The Northern View publisher, said. “He is one of the most dependable carriers we have. We’re lucky to have him on our team.”
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