HOW DOES EXXARO WELCOME
DIFFERENTLY-ABLED EMPLOYEES?
Exxaro is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible and safe environment for everyone to bring their whole selves to work. But what does that mean for differently-abled employees?
In 2021, Exxaro launched the “Re-Think DisAbility” campaign to help people rethink their current perceptions around disability to help create an inclusive, accessible and safe environment for everyone to bring their whole selves to work. With so many misconceptions around the term “disability”, the campaign is focused on sharing factual information that helps address some of these stereotypes, while helping people to change their behaviour towards a person living with a disability
One of the ways to address stereotyping is to share people’s lived experiences. That’s why XXplore recently asked four new employees, Patricia Diale, TK Angel Shilenge, Katiso Mogweng and Mahlatse Mosila to share their experience of Exxaro as differently-abled employees.
“A new environment can be so overwhelming but that was never the case with Exxaro. From day one I was provided with all the information I needed to make me feel welcome and safe. I feel like I fit in because I am always included,” said Patricia.
All four employees praised Exxaro’s HR department and their amazing coaches for making them feel welcome and at ease in their new environment.
“The coach and the whole HR team gave me a very warm welcome. They also told me that we share everything and support each other even through difficult times in our lives,” said TK.
Patricia was full of praise for the level of passion she experienced at Exxaro. “Everyone seems to really love and enjoy what they are doing which makes it a place full of informative and energetic people.”
Settling into a new job at a new company is never easy, especially when people might treat you differently. This has not been TK’s experience at Exxaro. In fact, he believes that equality has been the key to his comfort.
“I like the fact that the people treat all of us equally, regardless of our disability,” said TK.
Mahlatse has had a similar experience. “My colleagues have been very accommodating. They have embraced the diversity that I bring and the different perspective that I offer due to how I experience the world.”
Patricia has had a similar experience. “They have treated me like a colleague. Like I am one of them. Nothing less and nothing more.”
“The people here are welcoming and friendly. I have not felt like an outsider since I got here,” said Katiso.
Both Patricia and TK have visual impairments and need special devices to address these challenges. While TK believed that the majority of the facilities support his needs, he did have one special request: “I do hope they can give us bigger supporting screens since I am visually impaired”.
When asked how colleagues could better support her, Patricia said: “I don’t need special treatment, just specialized devices. People need to tolerate these devices, just as I must tolerate them”.
Katiso’s needs are slightly different. “The fact that I use only one hand is sometimes overlooked for tasks that strictly require both hands, eg stapling and punching papers. Also, I type really slowly so if I have a typing task, I am going to need a longer deadline before submitting a report, for example.”
Any final words of advice to help people rethink their current perceptions around disability?
“Do not treat people with disabilities as though they are disabled, we just have limitations that make it difficult to function as “easily” as people without disabilities,” said Mahlatse.
Katiso agrees. “People must not try to limit a person with a disability. In fact, pushing us to make us feel valuable and makes us feel like we belong and that we are not different.”
Be part of the movement for change. Join the Re-Think DisAbility campaign by fighting negative stereotypes, assessing your personal behaviours and helping Exxaro build an environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.
Mahlatse Mosila
Patricia Diale
TK Angel Shilenge
Katiso Mogweng
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