Rotary at Work
Started in 2008, Rotary at Work is a new, exciting and different program introduced to our Club by Rotarian Joe Dale in partnership with Community Living Ontario. Through this program, Rotarians are encouraged to create employment opportunities for individuals who have a disability.
Initially, the goal was to find 100 jobs for people who have a disability within three years. Rotary at Work staff were available to work with Rotary Clubs and potential employers to meet this goal. The program can now boast its 100th employee as of April of 2011. In fact, that goal has been surpassed, and the number of employees continues to grow.
Rotary Clubs are encouraging members and their business colleagues to consider people who have a disability when filling job vacancies. It is then Rotary at Work's role to connect employers to local employment agencies if needed. These agencies can help employers with:
- locating potential candidates who have a disability
- pre-screening these candidates
- providing on-the-job training
- assisting with workplace accommodations
- information about government assistance and other resources that will help make recruitment and retention smooth and easy
Businesses recognize the benefits of hiring people who have a disability. This is not charity - tapping into this labour pool is good for business.
Studies and employer surveys show that employees who have a disability:
- demonstrate average or above average work performance
- work more safely than their non-disabled co-workers
- have better likely attendance records
- are 5 times more to stay on the job
- are willing and able to work at many different types of jobs
- have a proven positive effect on staff morale.
Click below on the website address to find out how your Rotary Club or business can become involved with Rotary at Work.
The Rotary Employment Project for Ontario has been made possible through grants from:
- Ontario Trillium Foundation
- The Harry E. Foster Foundation
- Community Living Ontario