Perspectives - Text Only

Perspectives

Art Jacobs, the general restaurant manager of a Pizza Hut, had never worked with an employee with a disability prior to taking over a Richmond, Virginia store. Upon entering the Richmond store, Mr. Jacobs met a gentleman who was hired to fold boxes and place coupons and promotional information on the tops of the boxes. Initially, Mr. Jacobs was nervous, but "after watching him work for 5 or 10 minute I knew I wouldn't have any problems with him. I knew he could do his job." Over time Art Jacobs recognized that this employee was so fast that sometimes they do not have room for all of the boxes he folds. Recently, Mr. Jacobs hired another individual with a disability. He was so impressed by his first employee experience that he actively recruited for applicants with disabilities. Usually, Mr. Jacobs hires a lot of high school students. He says that his employees that are in high school tend to be unfocused and les productive. "Hiring a an individual with a disability is not like hiring a teen. The individuals with disabilities that I have hired have been very dedicated and a lot more productive," says Jacobs. He tells other managers not to be afraid to hire individuals with disabilities. "All people need the opportunity to work and if you give them the opportunity, they will succeed."