Employer Series: Mark Wafer

Summary

Mark Wafer, a Tim Hortons franchisee in Scarborough, Ontario, shares his 21-year experience of employing individuals with intellectual disabilities, highlighting their reliability, innovation, and low turnover rate. With a safety record of zero WSIB claims for disabled employees and a significantly lower turnover rate compared to industry standards, Wafer advocates for inclusive hiring practices, emphasizing their positive impact on workplace culture and efficiency.

Takeaways

• 👨‍💼 Mark Wafer is a Tim Hortons franchisee in Scarborough, Ontario, with 21 years of business experience.
• 🤝 The first employee he hired had Down Syndrome, who turned out to be his best employee.
• 💼 Over the years, Wafer and his wife employed 135 people with disabilities in meaningful, competitively paid roles across all levels of the business.
• 👷‍♂️ Employees with disabilities worked more safely, called in sick less often, required less supervision, and were more innovative.
• 🔄 These employees had a much lower turnover rate compared to the industry norm, reducing hiring and training costs.
• 📉 Wafer's average turnover rate for the last 10 years was under 40%, while the industry norm is 100-125%.
• 💸 It costs about $4,000 to replace a quick-service employee, but Wafer's turnover rate for non-disabled employees was only 55%, still half the industry norm.
• 📊 Wafer never filed a single WSIB (Workers' Compensation) claim for any employee with a disability.
• 💪 Creating an inclusive environment improved morale and workplace culture for both disabled and non-disabled employees.
• 🚀 Wafer encourages employers to embrace inclusivity without hesitation, as the benefits far outweigh the challenges.

Q & A

Who is Mark Wafer?

Mark Wafer is a Tim Hortons franchisee in Scarborough, Ontario, who has been in business for 21 years.

What inspired Mark Wafer to start hiring people with disabilities?

Mark Wafer's inspiration came when a man with Down syndrome applied for a job at his first Tim Hortons location. This individual became his best employee, which led him to see the value in hiring people with intellectual disabilities.

How did hiring people with disabilities impact the workplace environment?

Mark Wafer observed that people with disabilities worked more safely, called in sick less often, required less supervision, and stayed on the job much longer, which reduced turnover rates and improved the overall workplace environment.

How many people with disabilities has Mark Wafer employed over 21 years?

Mark Wafer and his wife have employed 135 people with disabilities over the last 21 years.

In what roles are people with disabilities employed in Mark Wafer’s business?

People with disabilities are employed in meaningful and competitively paid positions in every aspect of the business, from production to logistics, entry-level roles, and even management.

What are the main benefits of being an inclusive employer, according to Mark Wafer?

The main benefits include a higher safety rating, lower turnover rates, better workplace culture and morale, and cost savings due to reduced turnover.

What is Mark Wafer’s turnover rate for employees with disabilities compared to industry norms?

Mark Wafer’s turnover rate for the past 10 years has averaged under 40%, compared to the industry norm of 100-125% in the quick-service sector.

How does Mark Wafer’s turnover rate for non-disabled employees compare to the industry average?

Mark Wafer's turnover rate for non-disabled employees is 55%, which is still much lower than the industry norm of 100-125%.

How has hiring people with disabilities affected the business financially?

By reducing turnover, Mark Wafer has saved on the cost of replacing employees, which he estimates to be around $4,000 per employee. This has resulted in significant financial savings.

What advice does Mark Wafer give to other employers about hiring people with disabilities?

Mark Wafer advises employers not to wait until they feel 'ready' to hire people with disabilities, as there is no such thing as being fully ready. He encourages them to take action, assuring them that they won’t regret it.