Do
You Want To Know Where To Find Your Next Employee Of The Year? BJ's
Wholesale Club Found A 2000 Star From AHEDD
Five
years ago, Debra Charles had been a department head and interior decorator
for a local home improvement chain. Then Debra had a stroke that changed
her life. Due to this stroke, she came to experience a number of physical
issues including the challenge of utilizing a wheelchair for mobility.
Since
the stroke, Debra had not been able to work. As she began to consider
employment again, she admits having concerns about going back into the
workforce and stated, "My energy level is a problem." Quickly,
however, Debra added that she told herself, "You're never going
to know unless you try it."
Debra,
who insisted on a very cerebral job, stated, "My brain still works.
I want to use my head." BJ's Wholesale Club, which has been successful
in hiring other employees with a disability, willingly honored her request
to do office work in addition to providing other member service responsibilities.
Gretchen Cieslak, Personnel Manager for BJ's, reports that management
is happy with Debra's performance and suggests that other employers
should consider the talents of people with disabilities.
With
the support of a private non-profit agency, AHEDD, and the Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation in Reading, Debra's determination paid off
with a year of rewards. Most recently, in February of 2001, Debra won
the Star (Employee) of the Year Award from her employer, BJ's Wholesale
Club of Reading. Debra said says she was shocked. "I just couldn't
believe it."
Considering Debra's record during her first year, this award shouldn't
be surprising. One month after starting her job, she changed from part-time
to full-time status and won the Star (Employee) of the Month Award (March,
2000).
While
the awards are important to Debra, she reaps her greatest reward everyday.
She says the job "has given me purpose. It's given me a reason
to get out of bed and do something. Now, I have purpose and meaning
behind my life."
Charles
didn't achieve her remarkable success completely on her own, as man's
best friend was always with her to help. Debra has a service dog that
she brings with her to work. "They (BJ's) had a bed for the dog
the moment I arrived." Unfortunately, the first service dog Debra
brought to the job couldn't cope in her working environment, so she
had to give up the chocolate Labrador retriever. Her new dog, a poodle,
is adapting well to the workplace.
The
efforts of both Debra Charles and BJ's Wholesale Club appear to be really
paying off, financially and otherwise. Charles indicates that her earnings
from B'ís Wholesale Club will help pay for the new dog and her
upcoming move into a bigger, nicer apartment. Her new job, she says,
has "given me a feeling of success. I feel like I can do things
again. Independence is a big thing of mine!"