“Not everyone is lucky enough to work for a company with a conscience. But I do – all of the employees here do – and YAI is a big part of that conscience.”

Russ Cusick, with a smile, is talking about Swiss Post Solutions, the company that he has worked at for more than ten years.

Russ Cusick and Brooke Drexler, Assistant Manager of YAI's Corporate Volunteer Program, network at a recent Business Advisory Council meeting.

Swiss Post Solutions is an on-site outsourcing company that provides office solutions to large and small companies across the nation and in over 25 countries. Globally, Swiss Post employs 61,000 employees, 1500 of whom work in the US. Staff work on-site across industry, providing services such as mail, reception, facilities and IT help desk.

As Swiss Post’s Chief People Officer, Russ plays a large role in recruiting and hiring. “In 2008, the culture at Swiss Post started to take a turn as we looked at diversity recruiting in its truest sense,” said Russ. “And we haven’t looked back since.”

Building Bridges to Inclusion

Several years ago, Russ began to develop Swiss Post’s relationship with YAI by becoming a member of its’ Business Advisory Council (BAC), a group of more than 50 corporate partners who gather quarterly to learn and share valuable insight about employing people with disabilities. These meetings also offer unique corporate volunteer opportunities for employers to engage with graduates from YAI’s Employment Training program.

In addition to attending BAC meetings, Russ and the team at Swiss Post Solutions have participated in YAI job fairs, holiday toy drives, mock interviews and formed a 3K Walk team for YAI’s Central Park Challenge. In 2007, Swiss Post Solutions was honored by the Business Advisory Council with an Advocacy Award for their tremendous contributions.

Today, among Russ’s coworkers are more than 50 employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The number, in fact, may be higher, but Swiss Post wouldn’t know. “Having someone with a disability work here isn’t tracked,” said Russ. “We just see it as part of the culture. We hire the right person for the right job at the right time. Period.”

A Win-Win

Through partnership, Russ has found success for Swiss Post in hiring “the right person for the right job” from YAI’s Employment Initiatives programs. He has found, from an employer perspective, financial benefit as there are fewer turnover issues.

Another benefit to the company is that all YAI graduates who are hired have ongoing support from a YAI Job Coach, who ensures that the needs of both employer and employee are met. “The job coaches are invaluable because they bring a wealth of support and a greater level of partnership,” said Russ. “They provide training not only to the new hire, but also to our staff on how best to communicate effectively. Part of being job ready means that you have support in the office as well as outside of the office, and YAI and the Job Coach are that support system. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Addressing Challenges and Misperceptions

In 2011, Russ’s colleague, Glen Schulberg, Human Resources Manager, took part in a presentation for Business Advisory Council members titled: “Dispelling Myths: Making the Case for Employing People with Disabilities.”

“I think that for some employers, it’s a challenge to exercise the same level of fairness with people with disabilities as with someone who is typically developing,” said Glen. “An open dialogue to set parameters and to ensure that all staff are comfortable, prepared and empowered is critical to their success and the success of your operation.”

Russ agrees. He believes that when employers have lower standards for certain employees because of the word “disability,” ultimately it is a disservice to staff and to the company.

“It is key for employers to clarify their expectations from the start and not be fearful or overly cautious,” explained Russ. “I believe that employees – at every level - want the same straight talk, clarity and truthfulness. Treat people who have a disability the same way as all other employees. Provide extra support where necessary – such as with a Job Coach – but the setting of expectations and level of communication have to be the same.”

Glen Schulberg meets with Employment graduates at a YAI Job Fair.

According to Russ, another challenge has been educating employers and receiving buy-in from middle management. In his experience, particularly with larger companies, even with total buy-in from the executive team, getting a middle manager to interview and consider someone who they may be afraid that they cannot manage well is more difficult. “This may always be a challenge – but it’s one that we are overcoming,” said Russ. “We meet that challenge with training and job coaching. We use it as an opportunity to enlighten people.”

Doing Good Helps Company Do Well

Swiss Post’s strategies of corporate diversity have proved successful for both the employees and the company.

In 2011, a YAI graduate employed by Swiss Post Solutions was voted “Employee of the Month” from a pool of more than 1500. Another individual who has autism and is employed by Swiss Post to work at a large law firm was honored in 2008 as the New York State Staffing Association’s Employer of the Year Award. “When he received the award, he was beaming,” shared Russ proudly. “One of the best parts was that, aside from our executive team, no one knew that he had autism. No one gave him this award as a favor or as charity – it was purely a credit to his remarkable work ethic. And that is a true testament that anyone – anyone! – can be a spectacular employee if you give them the chance.”

Russ also noted the sense that by volunteering with YAI, Swiss Post employees feel pride in contributing to something significant. “From my standpoint, the greatest payoff is the corporate citizenship that we all feel,” he said. Russ encourages all potential employers and corporate partners to take that first step by touring a YAI program, conducting a mock interview, hearing participants talk about why working is important to them, or attending a Business Advisory Council meeting.

“If this was about charity then I wouldn’t do it,” Russ added. “This is a tremendous business partnership because we get great workers and those workers get to be independent, productive and contributing members of the workforce and community. Swiss Post Solutions feels a great sense of pride and satisfaction when we can help realize YAI’s mission and vision.”