Community Living Ontario

Cooper Gage has worked at MBNA for seven years. He shares a full-time position with another person supported by LiveWorkPlay delivering internal and external mail.

His goal is to stay ‘forever’ but work more hours
Friday September 2, 2011 -- Deb Bartlett

Cooper Gage has worked for MBNA Canada Bank for seven years, sharing a full-time position in the mailroom with another member of LiveWorkPlay.

Gage starts his day by collecting and sorting the mail from Canada Post, and delivering the internal and external mail around the two buildings of MBNA’s Ottawa offices four times a day.

He says he loves his job.

Asked what he likes best about his job, he says “the people. The people here at MBNA Canada Bank. It’s just a nice place to work. It’s a great place to work.”

Gage says he has to stay organized for his job, and that’s carried over into his personal life. He keeps lists to help him stay organized at work, and uses that technique at home to stay on top of things.

He adds that he’s improved his socialization and people skills since he started working at MBNA.

In the past, he’s worked by himself and hasn’t had to interact with co-workers, but now he has the opportunity to work with a team.

He says he gets along better with people, and Erin MacDonell, his supervisor, says they’ve also worked on conflict resolution.

“We’ve talked about if you have problems with people, how to handle situations better. And to be more social,” says MacDonell.

Gage says he’s very content with his job, but would like to increase his hours to full-time.

Asked if there were any other jobs he’d like to do, Gage says “the main plan is to stay here forever.”

If you have feedback on this story, or an employment success story you’d like to share with Community Living Leaders, contact Deb at 800-294-0051, or e-mail deb(at)axiomnews.ca.