Partnership to increase people with disability employed across SMHS
Left to right: Eddie O'Meara, Tara Doyle (BIZLINK), Paul Forden and Jeff McDonald
With nearly 4.5 million people in Australia living with a disability and only 54 per cent of them enrolled in the workforce, South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) is committed to continue increasing the representation of people with disability in our workforce.
Recently SMHS engaged in a partnership with BIZLINK, a Perth not-for-profit which provides disability employment support services and connect people with disabilities with employers.
Having engaged employees through BIZLINK at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) via Serco for some years now, this service agreement helps SMHS facilitate opportunities for people with all types of disabilities, barriers and backgrounds to secure and maintain employment within the organisation.
SMHS Senior Workforce Strategy Consultant, Jeff McDonald, explained it is important for SMHS to have a diverse and inclusive workforce which reflects the diversity of our community.
“Having a workforce which is representative of our community is integral for better understanding the needs of our patients as an organisation, as well as creating an environment where both staff and patients feel understood and comfortable,” Jeff said.
FSH Cleaner and person with a disability, Eddie O’Meara, credits BIZLINK for helping him take the next step in his job search, and encouraging and guiding him towards long-term employment.
“BIZLINK understood my needs and were willing to hold off for the job that was the best fit for me – which came along with the FSH opportunity,” Eddie explained.
“I really like the people I work with at FSH – there are so many great people and my bosses and co-workers are very fair and helpful.
“I also really like the variety of people within my team, it is fascinating to learn from my co-workers about their cultures that are so different from my own.
“I am so grateful to BIZLINK and FSH and look forward to seeing them provide the opportunities I had for other people with disabilities.”
SMHS Chief Executive, Paul Forden, explained that further initiatives are always being investigated to increase representation for people with disabilities in our SMHS workforce.
“As part of our SMHS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, we are continually exploring ways to bring in more staff with a disability, including via targeted recruitment, promoting workplace adjustments and collaborations via the Disability Advisory Network,” Paul said.
“We are also working closely with BIZLINK to develop face to face training programs for managers to ensure they are well equipped to support people in their workforce with a disability.
“Providing greater opportunities to become an employer of choice for people with a disability is something I am very passionate about and I look forward to seeing more staff with disabilities at SMHS thanks to this partnership with BIZLINK.”
