Page 48 - Tropic Magazine Issue 22

TROPIC • BUSINESS

Specialist staff,” she said. “A more connected

recruitment community is built when people know
each other. Stigma and discrimination
are broken down by face-to-face
EMPLOYING INNOVATION contact and an employer who employs
Worklink is improving the a person with a disability is enriched
in their life and understanding.”
well-being of both business For clients, employment can offer the
and community through healing powers of connection and a A more connected
a contemporary and agile meaningful contribution to society, community is built when
approach to employment lifting people out of both emotional people know each other.
and financial distress. Ms Townsend
opportunities. said the benefits to businesses can be Stigma and discrimination
Words: Renee Cluff just as far-reaching, making Worklink are broken down by face-
a fantastic recruitment option. “We
Long before having a brand with a have experience in understanding to-face contact and an
social conscience became trendy, all aspects of mental illness and employer who employs a
community business recruitment disability and in finding the right
agency Worklink was placing people employment fit,” she said. “It’s a no person with a disability is
with mental health challenges and cost personalised recruitment service enriched in their life and
disabilities in jobs. For 25 years, the specialising in the perfect match to
Cairns-headquartered organisation save employers time and money.” understanding
has been matching employees with In some circumstances wage subsidies Gill Townsend,
trailblazing local employers. It’s are available, while ongoing support Worklink
developed into a vibrant business is offered to both the employee and
focussing on building a strong employer. “Once the employee is Worklink can also be called upon if
and thriving community through hired we will make sure everything an existing employee is experiencing
employment, training and NDIS is going well,” Ms Townsend said. difficulty at work due to a mental
support. Performance and Partnership “We can come and work alongside illness or disability. “Again this is at no
leader Gill Townsend told Tropic that the employee if needed, we can make cost to the employer, saving time and
Worklink aims to reduce the stigma sure they get to work on time, we can costs of recruiting and retraining,” Ms
associated with disability and help assist in extra training and support, Townsend said. “The aim is to save the
people live free and independent lives. coaching and mentoring. We can also job and relationship.”
“Worklink builds community capacity assist the employer in understanding
by connecting business and employers the needs of the employee and any MORE: worklink.org.au
with enthusiastic and dedicated special disability issues they have.”

48 • Tropic • Issue 22