AS INTERNATIONAL Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated around the world today, three Whanganui employers are being praised for their inclusive employment practices.
The Waters and Farr factory, Windermere Gardens berry farm and New World Whanganui supermarket have received Workbridge's Above and Beyond Employer awards.
Workbridge area manager Keay Bishop said: "These employers were nominated by our staff because they have shown an outstanding commitment to focusing on people's abilities rather than their disabilities."
Waters and Farr, which manufactures high-performance pressure pipes, has regularly used Workbridge's services. They were nominated by Workbridge staff for "going the extra mile to ensure new staff are supported in their jobs, and because their hardworking team is a pleasure to work with".
Waters and Farr manager Vance Wilson said it had been a good relationship and employees referred by Workbridge have been very reliable. "You treat people well and you get loyalty from them and it's worth a lot," Mr Wilson said.
New World Whanganui manager John Kelly agrees and always lets Workbridge know when he has a vacancy at the Victoria Ave supermarket.
Ms Bishop said: "John places emphasis on work ethic and what an employee can do rather than what they can't do and, as a result, has a fantastic team."
Tony and Michelle Boswell of Windermere have employed a young Workbridge jobseeker with autism, who had market gardening experience.
Mr Boswell said he is an excellent worker. "I don't think it's so much a case of him being lucky to be here - we're lucky to have him."
Ms Bishop said the Boswells demonstrate the kind of attitude that leads to successful employment relationships.
"Tony and Michelle and everyone at Windermere appreciate their fellow team member for who he is and what he can do - they demonstrate this daily and have an exceptional level of empathy, understanding and communication," she said.
Workbridge Whanganui manager Jan Lawton delivered the gift-wrapped awards to the three employers yesterday and received an appreciative peck on the cheek from Mr Wilson and Mr Kelly for her trouble.
Workbridge's Whanganui team has helped 103 people find employment during the 2014/15 year, with Pacific Helmets and Aramoho Mags and Lotto featuring in a poster campaign with employees Mark Hood and Yvonne Anderson.