The experience of new worker with a disability is quite different from that of the normal new employee. He has special concerns and fears of acceptability. He has to gain confidence. This is where a mentor comes in. The mentor gives him support. He makes him feel that he can handle the new responsibility and will be accepted as a person.
A mentor may be called a job coach. But he is more than that to the individual with a disability and his coworkers.
What is a mentor?
A mentor is one who commands respect because of his higher position, or experience or his age; maybe he has all these virtues. Mentor is a term that is also used in life. He is the one who takes special interest in a person. He teaches him skills and attitudes that take him on to the path of success. Above all, he makes him confident both in work and life.
Mentor's responsibilities
Mentor's responsibilities are varied. He provides you the orientation to the workplace, job training and emotional support. He is also responsible for giving performance reviews. He gives you an insight into social expectations. He is a trouble shooter who helps you solve problematic coworker relationships. Much of reciprocal relationships depend upon him.
When does a mentor help?
A mentor helps you learn the skills and develop confidence to do your job well. He orientates you to the office culture. Getting acquainted with the office culture is as important as doing your job well. Job satisfaction comes from good performance evaluations and when you feel that you are the right fit for the job. Your level of confidence goes up when you make friends at work.
A handicapped worker has the disadvantage of not having the skills to build relationships. The stigma he has also stands in his way to go nearer to his coworkers. Here a mentor plays a vital role in making the disabled a confident worker who can be himself. When a relationship of trust develops, a mentor can give a clear feedback on how the worker is getting on with his colleagues and gives him a helping hand to strengthen the relationships.
Training programs
There are mentor-training programs in some places where many disabled are employed or people with special handicaps are hired. Mentors know how to help the needy; they listen to them, encourage them and instruct them. In a way, they integrate the new person into the life and culture of the organization. Workers who have traumatic brain injuries or developmental disabilities have unique learning styles. Mentors are trained to handle such workers well.
Organizations get back huge payoffs when they take care to depute mentors to help new workers with disabilities to settle down to do the job. This process helps the new worker learn the job skills, build lasting relationships and get the satisfaction of having taken care of by the management. Mentors will have the satisfaction of having the opportunity to bring along someone who might have lost his way. Other workers appreciate the attitude of the management in putting special effort to enable the disabled to lead a meaningful life.
