1. Job Placement of Amandeep
A presentation by:
Erin Sutherland, Liane Mendonca, Su-Ann Liu, and Kathleen Campbell

2. CASE HISTORY
Amandeep is a 55 year old woman. She was injured while
employed as a baker’s assistant for Debbie’s bakery.
The injury occurred on December 15th 2008 when Amandeep
and her co-worker were carrying a 100 lb container of flour
from the stock area of the bakery to the processing area.
Amandeep’s co-worker slid on some spilled flour causing her
to stumble backwards. As a result Amdandeep was pulled
forwards and experienced an immediate sharp pain in her
lower back.
Her claim was accepted for a lumbar strain/sprain and an
L5/S1 disc herniation.

3. Medical status
 Amandeep received numerous medical
investigations and treatments including:
 x-rays
a MRI
 a CT scan
 steroid injections
 surgery
 physiotherapy
 rehabilitation and pain programs

4. Medical Status
 The Workers’ Compensation Board has
determined the following
restrictions/limitations:
 no prolonged walking, standing, or sitting
 light work only
 Amandeep reports no additional medical
concerns.

5. Pre-injury job duties
 As a baker’s assistant, Amandeep’s job duties included:
 lifting and moving baking ingredients
 using the mixer
 transporting and rolling dough
 cutting dough
 dusting products with sugar
 placing products on trays
 ensuring that ordered products arrive
 maintaining a log of orders (using Excel)
 assisting with customer service
 taking customers’ orders
 cashing out at the end of shifts
 daily clean-up.

6. Current vocational status
 Amandeep’s injury disables her from
performing her pre-injury job duties.
 Debbie’s bakery has confirmed that there is
not an alternative position available.
 Amandeep thus has no position to return
to.

7. Background Information
 Amandeep was born in Punjab, India.
 She immigrated to Canada in 1974 following her wedding.
 She had three children and occupied her time as a home
maker until all of her children graduated from high school.
 In 1996, Amadeep began working part-time at Debbie’s
bakery.
 In 1997, she became a full-time, permanent employee.
 Amandeep’s experience at Debbie’s bakery is her sole
employment experience.
 She obtained this position as a result of a contact.

8. Education / Computer knowledge
 Amandeep completed high school in India.
 Upon arrival in Canada, she partook in ESL courses
and improved her English to an intermediate level.
 She is able to verbally communicate effectively.
 Amandeep can read English. She does; however,
have difficulty writing English.
 She describes herself as being comfortable using
the internet, e-mail, and beginners’ level Microsoft
Word and Excel.

9. Other vocational information
 Amandeep is a social person and an active member of
the Sikh community. She volunteers at the temple and
other fundraising and community events.
 She enjoys cooking, going for walks, and spending time
with her family, especially her grandchildren.
 Amandeep is anxious regarding her ability to find
employment. She states that she is required to work to
repay their debts of over $20 000. Her husband, whom is
ten years her senior, is retired.
 She is motivated to return to her pre injury life, including
work. She notes that her family is very supportive, and
her children assist financially whenever they can.

10. Return-to-work Barriers
 Physical limitations as indicated on the
WCB claim.
 Limited work experience.
 Limited language skills, in particular writing
skills.
 Amandeep’s high level of anxiety may
impact her interview and test performance.

11. Job Development Resources: Work
Assessment
 WCB may cover work assessments to
determine what employment positions are
appropriate for Amandeep, taking into
consideration her physical disabilities, her
comfort level, and her work ethic and
productivity.

12. Job Development Resources: On
Site Training
 As a financial incentive, WCB offers cost-
sharing for employees requiring on site
training. Amandeep has transferable skills;
however, she may require a short period of
training to meet the requirements of a
prospective employer. She has
demonstrated trainability in her prior work
experience.

13. Job Development Resources:
Networking
 Amandeep is an active member in her
community and has an extensive history of
volunteering and participating in social,
cultural and religious events. She likely
has a wealth of contacts that can be
explored during her employment search.

14. COBS Bread
Since 2003, COBS
Bread has grown to
over 60 bakeries
across three
Canadian provinces.

15. Potential Employment Positions at COBS Bread
 Bakery Manager
 Assistant Bakery Manager
 Production Manager
 Production Team Leader
 Baker
 Junior Baker
 Sales Manager
 Sales Team Leader
 Sales Assistant

16. Why COBS BREAD?

17. Why COBS Bread: Client’s Interests
and Skills
 Amandeep initially wished to return to work at
Debbie’s Bakery.
 Her impairments disable her from performing her
pre-injury job duties and Debbie’s bakery has
confirmed that there are no alternate positions
available.
 COBS Bread is likely able to provide Amandeep with
a position that closely matches the job description of
her previous position.

18. Why COBS Bread: Value development &
support for staff
 This bakery seem to place value in the development and support of its staff
members.
 All bakery staff participate in a regular staff performance review. Management
also uses various performance tools to encourage staff success.
 Employees and family members of COBS Bread have access to a third party
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides counselling and support
regarding personal or work difficulties. It is completely confidential.

19. Why COBS Bread: Larger Company
• According to Berkeley Planning Associates (1982)
large firms are more likely to hire and accommodate
persons with disabilities for the following reasons:
• pre-existing affirmative action mechanisms
• likelihood of encountering persons with disabilities
due to sheer number of workers employed
• much greater diversity in job types with more
opportunity for hiring and greater flexibility in job
assignments.

20. The Hiring Process at COBS
BREAD
• Depending on the position, COBS Bread may
offer the job applicant a trial employment
opportunity to determine whether the position is
suitable.
• Although not a formal job offer, the job applicant
will be paid for this trial shift.

21. Presenting Amandeep
• Amandeep will be presented as a trainable, reliable, and skilled
employee.
• It will be highlighted that although she began as a part-time baker’s assistant
with little work experience, she was promptly offered a full-time position by
her previous employer.
• It will be presented that with 10 years of valuable service at Debbie’s
Bakery, Amandeep has a great understanding of the daily operations of
a bakery.
• She has rotated through the many tasks of production and store front
customer service.
• In addition to excellent product knowledge, Amandeep has demonstrated her
ability to work in a fast paced sales oriented environment.

22. Presenting Amandeep
• Amandeep’s long history of employment will be presented to
highlight her ability to maintain working relationships and
contribute to a positive working environment.
• In her personal life, Amandeep is a social and active person who
truly enjoys people.

23. Suitable Position Within COBS
Bread for Amandeep
• Considering Amandeep’s work experience we recommend her
for a supervisory position at the store front.
• She may be trained to managing the daily operation of the bakery
store front including:
• Supervising staff
• Scheduling
• Training new employees on product knowledge, customer service
and completing orders on excel
• Opening and closing the tills.
• Cash deposit at the end of the day.
• Oversee the receiving and delivery of products.
• Managing larger orders.

24. Cheat Sheet for Presenting Amandeep
to the Employer:
 Use valuing language.
 Emphasize job seeker’s ability to contribute.
 Focus on job seeker’s interests, positive qualities, and skills.
 Communicate that VRCs are skilled at assessing client’s
strengths and needs, subsequently facilitating a job match.
 Do not use ‘deficit marketing’ including negative descriptors.
 Do not induce fear in an employer by using jargons
unnecessarily.

25. A brief presentation on Amandeep to answer the
employer's question, "Tell me about the job
seeker?"

26. Amandeep
 55 year old woman.
 Wife, mother, and grandmother.
 Socially active in her community.
 Enjoys cooking, going for walks, and spending
time with her family.
 Languages: English and Punjabi.

27. Work Experience
 In 1996, Amandeep began employment
as a part-time baker’s assistant with
little experience in the baking industry.
 Shortly after she was offered a full-
time, permanent position which she
maintained for over 10 years.

28. What does this say about the
Amandeep?

29. TRAINABLE

30. DEPENDABLE

31. SKILLED

32.  Knowledgeable about food safe
practices.
 Excellent interpersonal skills,
 Able to work in fast paced
environment.
 Able to provide excellent customer
service.

33. Job Specific Skills & Knowledge
Accumulated: Production
 Assisting Bakers with
the operation of
appliances, rolling and
cutting dough, dusting
products with sugar, and
putting products on
trays.

34. Job Specific Skills & Knowledge
Accumulated: Store Front
 Provide friendly and efficient
customer service
 Establish rapport with
customers in the community
 Selling products
 Opening and closing cash
registers
 Process cash, debit and credit
payments
 Managing store presentation
 Maintain order logs on Excel
 Follow up on orders and
delivery
 Mentor new employees

35. Disclosure
 The VRC would discuss with Amandeep options regarding
disability disclosure to employer considering: whether to disclose,
when to disclose, who should disclose and what to disclose.
 If the VRC discloses the disability to the employer, they are
required to obtain the client’s written consent.
 The VRC would discuss information about the particular
disability including providing the employer with a fact sheet with
general disability information.

36. Disclosure
 If Amandeep were to disclose to the employer she should
discuss her specific physical disability and related WCB
restrictions/limitations.
 The VRC would empower Amandeep to present strengths and
abilities but identify challenges and request workplace
accommodations.
 Amandeep and the employer would discuss possible workplace
accommodations resulting from disclosure including: ability to
take breaks, shorter shifts, have flexible light duty job tasks that
vary sitting, standing, and walking.

37. Interview Preparation
• Assess client’s current skills, talents, abilities, interests, accomplishments,
achievements and work values – focus on the client’s strengths and positive work
attributes.
• Discuss support needs of the client including supports and job customization and
ensure client is knowledgeable and familiar with possible accommodations needed.
• Prepare in-hand information for client to refer to regarding support needs.
• Teach interview techniques and skills.
• Role-play interview and practice typical and targeted interview questions
• Help client to update resume.
• Assist client to become knowledgeable about the company and the potential position.
• Help client prepare questions to ask the potential employer.
• Advise client on appropriate verbal language, attire and body language.
• Arrange a plan for attending the appointment – discuss location, getting there and
arriving early.

38. Role of VRC: PRE-INTERVIEW
• Establish contact with potential employer.
• Provide general disability information to
employer.
• Gain employer’s trust, eliminate concerns,
and explore job opportunities.
• Provide introduction of client to employer
focusing on client’s skills and strengths as
an asset to the workplace.
• Identify benefits of hiring client to employer.
• Identify possibility for individualized job
description.
• Set-up interview between client and
employer.
• Establish any necessary accommodations
for interview.
• Learn about company’s disability related
services and supports

39. Role of VRC: DURING INTERVIEW
• Provide support to client during interview process.
• Encourage client to answer questions regarding job customization.
• Act as a resource for additional information on workplace
accommodations if necessary.
• Identify supports available to employer through Vocational
Rehabilitation Professional.
• Recognize anything missed or overlooked during the interview
process.
• Answer any additional questions if client is unable to do so.

40. Role of VRC: POST INTERVIEW
• Debrief interview with client.
• Address any client concerns.
• Review and address any improvements in
client’s interviewing skills.
• Discuss client’s steps for follow-up to
interview.
• Follow-up with employer subsequent to client.