Post by Banker on Apr 20, 2013 17:42:57 GMT 7
Asperger’s syndrome—Centrelink buddy program teaches staff new skills
At Centrelink’s office in Queanbeyan, all new staff complete induction training and then participate in a buddy program for their first few weeks on the job. Team leaders also complete additional training on how to communicate effectively in the workplace.
When Michael found out that he was being buddied up with new starter Leigh, he mistakenly thought that he would be the one doing all the teaching.
Leigh has Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism). ‘I hadn’t really heard about Asperger’s syndrome before so I wasn’t really sure what to expect’, said Michael.
With Leigh’s permission, staff from Advance Personnel, a local Disability Employment Services provider, came out to Centrelink to talk to Leigh’s new co-workers about disability awareness in the workplace and to explain a bit about Asperger’s syndrome.
‘The training with Advance helped us understand how we could support Leigh on the job. It really just reinforced the fact that everyone is different in a workplace and we all work better when we appreciate and accept each other’s differences’.
‘Working with Leigh has actually taught me a lot about the way that I communicate with others and how I can alter my communication style to better meet the needs of others’, said Michael. ‘We often forget that everyone is different when it comes to their preferred communication style’.
Leigh prefers a very direct communication style. He likes people to say exactly what they mean. ‘I know that I can be very direct but I don’t want people to think that I am angry or upset’, said Leigh. ‘I like to meet people half way’.
Leigh and Michael have shown that when there is a willingness to understand the other person, both parties benefit. They also agree that a sense of humour can help everyone relax. ‘When Leigh tells a joke, his timing is impeccable’, laughs Michael, ‘there have been times when he has had the whole team in stitches’.
Centrelink senior team leader, Cara, is impressed at how much her staff have learned through the training and buddy program. Cara believes that if you learn how to communicate well, you will be able to communicate with everyone: ‘it’s about accepting individuality. At Centrelink, it’s important that we can communicate with customers from all backgrounds and experiences, regardless of whether they have a disability or not’.
Having a co-worker with disability may teach you a few things you did not know—like how to communicate more effectively.
For more information follow these links:
Asperger’s syndrome
How to communicate with people with disability
Mentoring and buddy program
www.jobaccess.gov.au/content/asperger%E2%80%99s-syndrome%E2%80%94centrelink-buddy-program-teaches-staff-new-skills
AND more here: www.jobaccess.gov.au/content/australian-public-service%E2%80%94free-job-support-benefits-all-centrelink-employees
At Centrelink’s office in Queanbeyan, all new staff complete induction training and then participate in a buddy program for their first few weeks on the job. Team leaders also complete additional training on how to communicate effectively in the workplace.
When Michael found out that he was being buddied up with new starter Leigh, he mistakenly thought that he would be the one doing all the teaching.
Leigh has Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism). ‘I hadn’t really heard about Asperger’s syndrome before so I wasn’t really sure what to expect’, said Michael.
With Leigh’s permission, staff from Advance Personnel, a local Disability Employment Services provider, came out to Centrelink to talk to Leigh’s new co-workers about disability awareness in the workplace and to explain a bit about Asperger’s syndrome.
‘The training with Advance helped us understand how we could support Leigh on the job. It really just reinforced the fact that everyone is different in a workplace and we all work better when we appreciate and accept each other’s differences’.
‘Working with Leigh has actually taught me a lot about the way that I communicate with others and how I can alter my communication style to better meet the needs of others’, said Michael. ‘We often forget that everyone is different when it comes to their preferred communication style’.
Leigh prefers a very direct communication style. He likes people to say exactly what they mean. ‘I know that I can be very direct but I don’t want people to think that I am angry or upset’, said Leigh. ‘I like to meet people half way’.
Leigh and Michael have shown that when there is a willingness to understand the other person, both parties benefit. They also agree that a sense of humour can help everyone relax. ‘When Leigh tells a joke, his timing is impeccable’, laughs Michael, ‘there have been times when he has had the whole team in stitches’.
Centrelink senior team leader, Cara, is impressed at how much her staff have learned through the training and buddy program. Cara believes that if you learn how to communicate well, you will be able to communicate with everyone: ‘it’s about accepting individuality. At Centrelink, it’s important that we can communicate with customers from all backgrounds and experiences, regardless of whether they have a disability or not’.
Having a co-worker with disability may teach you a few things you did not know—like how to communicate more effectively.
For more information follow these links:
Asperger’s syndrome
How to communicate with people with disability
Mentoring and buddy program
www.jobaccess.gov.au/content/asperger%E2%80%99s-syndrome%E2%80%94centrelink-buddy-program-teaches-staff-new-skills
AND more here: www.jobaccess.gov.au/content/australian-public-service%E2%80%94free-job-support-benefits-all-centrelink-employees