"After my operation, I never thought I could find a job. Then ISS offered me one." José Zafra (photo) has gone through three by-pass operations, seriously reducing his physical capabilities. Like many other disabled he struggled to get back on the labour market. Today he works as a specialist at the Asepeyo Clinic. José is one of more than 300 disabled people working at ISS Spain as regular staff.
The disabled employees work alongside their ISS colleagues at customer sites. They are treated and remunerated just like any other employee.
Since 1999 ISS Spain has employed staff with disabilities, such as deafness, physical imperfections and - to a smaller extent - mental handicaps, on a larger scale. Owing to positive experiences, the number of disabled employees has been growing steadily.
"All new recruits go through basic training and are then assigned to regular jobs at customer sites. Before the assignment, ISS agrees with the customer, that disabled staff will be employed at the site. Customers must be open-minded and supportive for it to work out", explains Ricard Casas, Operational Director at ISS Spain.
Once at work, disabled staff members take equal part in duties, training, meetings and social activities. They are offered additional support and mentoring in line with their individual needs. ISS employs a psychologist and a service expert full-time, to step in whenever assistance is needed. ISS also provides legal and health assistance and runs a course in sign language for managers and other employees to improve communication with deaf and dumb colleagues.
It's a full-blown success
For the disabled themselves, working at ISS is a rare opportunity to perform a regular job in a team, and on an equal footing as other colleagues. The disabled employees feel in control of their own lives, and the wages they receive exceed the alternative social benefits. In some cases disabled employees also manage to make impressive career steps at ISS.
"The opportunities at ISS are in high demand, and we must turn many qualified disabled applicants down", says Ricard Casas.
ISS employees welcome the growing number of disabled colleagues. ISS workers are already highly diverse and the respect for individual differences is embedded in the corporate culture.
"I joined this company 23 years ago, and I am pleased that I have never experienced any discriminatory treatment", says Manuela Mellado. She is deaf and dumb and works as cleaner at Catalonian Government premises
The fact that many managers and employees have chosen to attend voluntary courses in sign language shows the openness towards disabled people.
The Customers - in nine out of ten cases - agree to have disabled people providing services at their offices or sites. "Most customers appreciate that we offer employment opportunities to the disabled. In some cases our commitment have even strengthened customer relations", concludes Ricard Casas.