Help for job seekers

A new job service to help LGBTI Victorians with a disability find work has started this month.

The pilot project, WorkingOUT, is funded by the Victorian Deaf Society and run by Vicdeaf’s employment branch division SensWide Employment. It will offer LGBTI people support in finding employment in a safe environment.

SensWide employment consultant Paul Singh said when he moved to Australia from the UK recently to work in employment support he was struck by the lack of support for LGBTI people.

“One of the things unemployment services providers should do is address all barriers that prevent people from getting a job, so that will be looking at things like homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol issues, however, GLBTI wasn’t on the radar at all,” he told the Star Observer.

“What happens if someone is being bullied at work because of their sexuality or they’ve been unfairly treated at work because of their sexuality?”

WorkingOUT offers people with disabilities a chance to discuss issues such as coming out at work, homophobia, bullying, being ‘outed’, and unfair dismissal or unequal treatment.

Employment consultants with a background in the LGBTI community will also help job seekers with career counselling and training to increase job skills, assist with job searches and preparing resumes, and offer interview practice and support.

“I think it’s a huge gap in provision, for a lot of employment providers out there. A lot of their clients won’t feel comfortable talking about issues that are pertinent to their lives, that might be holding them back from finding a job,” Singh said.

“If someone’s experiencing domestic violence at home, I know a lot of people wouldn’t feel comfortable coming in and talking to their straight employment consultant about it because they might feel uncomfortable or embarrassed or misunderstood.

“What I’m trying to do is create a safe space for people to come in and talk about anything that might be holding them back.”

WorkingOUT resources are also available for LGBTI workers with a disability who need support in their current employment.

They can be accessed from offices in Melbourne city or Sunshine.

INFO: www.senswide.com.au or call 03 9015 5155 to speak with someone directly or TTY 9614 3070.