INROADS TO INCLUSION
PSP Marks 68th Job Placement at Microsoft

Microsoft is recognized as one of the top employers in the Northwest. Getting a job there is considered not only a great achievement, but a career-building opportunity. Just ask the PSP-supported individuals who are gainfully employed by the software giant or one of its vendor partners on Microsoft Campus locations throughout the Eastside.

The Microsoft Campus provides work opportunities for PSP participants.

Puget Sound Personnel has celebrated its 68th job placement of a program participant on the Microsoft Campus. This milestone in creating jobs for people with developmental and other disabilities at Microsoft is the result of an ongoing partnership with the company and its business leaders that dates back to 1984. Over those many years, PSP has worked diligently to build relationships with key hiring managers to gain their support of promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

"Our involvement with Microsoft has always centered on finding what we call Champions of Supported Employment—people of influence in the company and its vendors who understand and believe in our mission to develop jobs for people with disabilities," commented Sara McIlvaine, PSP's Executive Director.

Early champions who rallied around PSP's mission included former CFO Frank Gaudette who vowed to cover head count to give people with developmental disabilities an opportunity to succeed at Microsoft. Mike Murray during his tenure as VP of Human Resources also committed to expanding workplace opportunities for supported employees within the organization.

While seeking out the next generation of such "champions of inclusion," PSP identified Microsoft's Director of Supplier Diversity, Fernando Hernandez, as well as leaders within the company's Real Estate & Facilities Group (RE&F)—Chris Owen, its General Manager and Rob Towne, Senior Services Manager. Working collaboratively with these individuals, PSP was able to steadily increase the number of supported employees working on the Microsoft Campus.

Rob Towne, Senior Manager, Microsoft Corporation, hosted a luncheon to honor
the PSP team for their 29 years of service on the Microsoft Campus.

One of Microsoft's vendor partners, the Compass Group's Eurest Dining Services, was especially open to the idea of building a diverse workforce based on their prior success with PSP's placement, training and support program.

"[We] are able to employ many remarkable and dedicated people with disabilities throughout our operations at Microsoft because of the outstanding supported employment services provided by Puget Sound Personnel," said Tom Teves, President of National Accounts at Compass Group. "PSP has not only helped our company open our doors to expanded work opportunities for people with disabilities, but they have helped us open our hearts and minds to what is possible. It's been a journey that has deeply impacted me and has had a motivating influence on all members of our dining services team. I also think our customers have seen and felt the positive effects of a truly inclusive workplace—and that is good for any business."

The promise and potential of hiring people with disabilities witnessed in their supplier organizations led Microsoft to consider launching their own Supported Employment Program in the summer of 2013. (For more about Microsoft's SE Program announcement, click here.)

In providing background on the company's new SE initiative, RE&F's Rob Towne stated, "We owe a debt of gratitude to Puget Sound Personnel for getting us here today. The quality services and exemplary results PSP has delivered over the last 30 years to Microsoft and our vendor partners were the model for this program. We view their work as the benchmark of what we hope our new Supported Employment Program will bring to advancing diversity and inclusion at Microsoft."

Microsoft has set an ambitious goal of helping its vendor partners add upwards of 200 employees with disabilities to their ranks in the next two years. PSP applauds the intent of this initiative and will work to provide qualified candidates to fill the positions made available by the program. As always, PSP's commitment is to making the right employment match and providing the ongoing supports that lead to long term success on the job.

"It is inspiring to see people we have placed over ten, fifteen or even twenty years ago still working and loving their jobs at Microsoft," remarked Cathy Ann Mallman, PSP's Operations Director. "Time and time again, we hear that the people we support have made a difference in helping their co-workers or other people they interact with on the job gain a new perspective on people with disabilities. This new found understanding and respect for individual differences is what will continue to break down barriers to employment for everyone. PSP is so proud to be a part of that process."

Helping people realize their full potential is Microsoft's core mission as a company. With PSP's continuing work in developing job opportunities for its customers throughout the company, that goal will be realized for even more people with disabilities in the years to come.