November 11, 2024
“Inclusive hiring is not just about filling positions; it’s about creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and make a meaningful impact. It brings innovation to the workplace and enriches the entire team.”
– Eladia Zelaya, La Vie en Rose
La Vie en Rose, a well-known Canadian retailer specializing in lingerie, loungewear, and swimwear, is leading the way in promoting inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. With 287 stores across Canada and more than 4,600 employees worldwide, the company is showing how businesses can benefit from hiring inclusively. A key partner in this effort has been Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA), a Canadian program that helps people with intellectual disabilities or autism find meaningful jobs. One of their success stories is Frédéric Couture, an employee at La Vie en Rose whose experience highlights the value of inclusive hiring.
The company’s partnership with RWA began when their Vice President met with RWA representatives to explore how they could make their hiring process more inclusive. RWA introduced the company to new ways to adapt interviews and job roles to support individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism. This partnership has been especially valuable at La Vie en Rose’s distribution center, where they’ve welcomed employees with disabilities.
Frédéric Couture works as a Stock Replenishment Clerk at La Vie en Rose’s distribution centre, where he is responsible for preparing orders to be sent to stores. Using a scanner and an electric cart, Frédéric picks and organizes items needed for each store. His job requires him to work independently and with great precision to ensure each order is sent correctly. His diligence and consistent performance had made him a key member of the team.
Marie Claude Bernard, the Talent Acquisition and Development Manager at La Vie en Rose, explains how Frédéric has adapted to the job: “Frédéric does his work independently, using a scanner to find the right products for each order. Even though he’s shy, he fit in well with the team.”
What’s remarkable about Frédéric’s story is that no extraordinary changes or accommodations were needed for him to succeed in his role. “He adapted naturally,” said Marie Claude. “The team was very welcoming, and Frédéric has been able to work like any other employee.”
Frédéric’s success is part of a larger culture at La Vie en Rose that values inclusivity. According to Eladia Thesis, Senior Human Resources Consultant at La Vie en Rose, Frédéric wasn’t the first employee at the distribution center with autism. “We’ve had other employees with disabilities, and of course, it’s always been a positive experience,” she said.
Including people with disabilities in the workplace has brought many benefits, but it also requires managers to be flexible and willing to learn to better support all employees. Ready, Willing and Able has been an important partner in this process, providing ongoing support to businesses whenever needed. If any challenges come up such as questions around hiring, job posting, workplace accommodations and more, RWA is always available to offer advice and help.
For La Vie en Rose, the partnership with RWA has reinforced the importance of being open-minded and listening to employees. The company’s success with Frédéric and other employees with disabilities shows how a supportive, flexible and inclusive environment can benefit everyone from employee’s satisfaction at work all the way to the positive interactions, efficiency and services customers receive.
When asked what advice they would give to other companies looking to become more inclusive, the team at La Vie en Rose emphasized keeping an open attitude and communicating well with employees. “Good communication was key to building trust between Frédéric and his supervisor,” said Marie Claude. “It allowed them to understand each other better and work well together.”
As La Vie en Rose continues to share its story of inclusion, Frédéric’s journey stands as an inspiring example of what happens when companies embrace diversity and give everyone an environment to succeed.