Community Living Ontario

Melissa has learned life skills working at The Works
Monday August 29, 2011 -- Deb Bartlett

Socializing with her co-workers is Melissa Cunningham’s favourite part of her job at The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro.

A member of LiveWorkPlay, Cunningham has worked at an Ottawa-area location of The Works since November 2008.

“I do a lot of cleaning,” says Cunningham, adding she usually cleans the main dining room.

“I like being with a lot of people who I work with,” Cunningham says, adding that her colleagues are a lot of fun.

Her job duties are compiled on a list, and she follows it every day. Her job list never changes, and she knows what is expected of her daily.

Cunningham works for two hours every weekday at the restaurant.

Her job at The Works has helped her learn to “do stuff on my own now, like cooking, laundry and cleaning up after myself. It’s a very good job for me. I like working here,” says Cunningham.

Aaron Turner manages the restaurant where Cunningham works. He says she learned her job quickly and comes and does her job “perfectly” every day, says Turner.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to know that any employee can do their job so well you don’t have to check up on them.”

But when she does have questions, “I can go ask him, but everything else I do it on my own.”

The Works is Melissa’s only job and she’s undecided whether she wants to either work more hours, or look for another job.

Do you have an employment success story to share? Contact Deb at 800-294-0051 ext. 30, or e-mail deb(at)axiomnews.ca.