Graduate Recruiter’s Breakfast Seminar 15 (BS’15)
Hosted by J.P.Morgan

On Wednesday 3rd February 2016, members of the Graduate Recruiters’ Disability Café Club (GRDCC) met at the offices of JP Morgan to take part in the first Breakfast Seminar of 2016.

The seminar focussed on what is appropriate in terms of behaviour and language when interacting with disabled individuals. Delegates were provided with the opportunity to explore, in a safe environment, a variety of scenarios that they may find themselves in. The aim was for delegates to feel more comfortable when engaging with disabled individuals both during the recruitment process and in the workplace.

The event began with Helen Cooke, Director of My Plus Consulting, welcoming delegates to the seminar and setting the morning’s agenda. Delegates sat on tables of 6 where they engaged in 3 rounds of twenty minute discussions on the topics of adjustments, interviews, and language and behaviours. Each round of discussion was followed by a feedback session where delegates were able to express their views on how they would respond to the different scenarios, whilst also benefitting from hearing the other delegates suggestions and experiences. Helen was keen to emphasise that in some situations there weren’t necessarily ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers; rather it was what people personally felt comfortable with.

During the last part of the Seminar, Helen asked the delegates what had been their highlights from the discussions and what they would take away with them. Delegates commented on the need to have open communication and be guided by the individual; acknowledging that no two individuals are the same. Also discussed was the importance of ensuring that support and adjustments are implemented at every stage of the recruitment process. Lastly, the delegates were given the opportunity to ask any remaining questions.

Thank you to JP Morgan for kindly hosting the fifteenth Breakfast Seminar.