KAMLOOPS — The hiring of workers with diverse abilities is a business decision that can be rewarding for both the employer and employee.
Dominos Pizza has been providing employment for people with diverse abilities for years.
“The special needs people, they love to work, they love to show up on time, they’re very valuable as far as getting the job done,” said owner of the Kamloops Dominos Pizza locations Rocky Hunter. “It’s great.”
On Wednesday the North Shore location held a celebration of its workers with special needs.
“We’re just celebrating the fact that they’re doing an awesome job and had some surprises of how well of a job they actually can do,” Hunter said.
One of those workers is Jeffrey, who has been employed at Dominos Pizza since August.
“It’s great, it’s wonderful,” Jeffrey said of his job. “I dish-wash, and fold boxes at the Sahali Dominos.”
The Open Door Group works to find employment for people with special needs, and then goes on to facilitate job training for its clients, some of whom are thriving at Dominos locations in Kamloops.
“You’re learning life skills, you’re building your own self worth, you’re learning how to do things you would never know how to – they don’t even know that they’re able to do until they learn how to do it on the job,” said Devon Mah, business solutions coordinator for The Open Door Group. “If you see the looks on their faces when they’re at work makes everything worthwhile.”
Mah hopes other local businesses will embrace diverse hiring.
“This is a solid business decision, and it can very much benefit your business. It’s also a great thing to do as well.”
As the employees enjoyed their pizza, cake, and joyful chatter during this afternoon’s celebration, they took pride in a job well done.
“It feels wonderful,” Jeffrey said, “magnificently wonderful.”
