HASTING’S resident Melissa Stevens’ life could have had a vastly different outcome if not for the openness of her employer, The Hastings Club, to employ someone with a recognised disability.
The 46-year-old has low lung capacity, a side effect of the autoimmune disorders she lives with and struggles with shortness of breath and fatigue. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to work.
The opportunity to get back into the workforce has given the hospitality worker a new lease on life, new friends, new energy and best of all, new-found confidence.
Stevens had previously worked in the cleaning industry for 13 years, but working with chemicals began to cause ongoing health issues.
Through employment service AMP, Stevens was able to secure a job at The Hastings Club, where she is now considered a part of the team.
“A year ago I was struggling, financially and at home, not getting anywhere, now I feel the opposite,” she said.
“I have a bigger social network, I’m working, and they’ve (The Hastings Club) seen me as me, not someone with a disability.
“I was relying on Centrelink before, and now I’m not, it’s the best feeling out.”
Cameron Griffiths from the club said he had no regrets employing Stevens.
“You’ve just got to be flexible,” he said of his decision to hire a person with chronic health issues.
“You can sit there and say it’s in the too hard basket, but some of your best employees were probably the most challenging at the start.
“If you adapt to that, then they can continue and it sort of builds the foundations for a really good culture within your employment.
“And we’re a community club, so it’s also about being involved in that rehabilitation of the community.”
To find out more about the disability employment scheme visit jobaccess.gov.au/
First published in the Western Port News – 2nd August 2023
