PHYSIO CLINICS LEAD BY ACCEPTING EMPLOYEES `FOR WHO THEY ARE'
In five years, not one of the four young adults with differing abilities employed as physio helpers in Sam Benamron's Montreal-area clinics has missed a day of work — unless he has specifically told them to stay home because of heavy snow or, more recently, the pandemic.
“They come here and they are happy. They love the team and love being part of something and they are also validated and respected. They are treated like all my employees.
“The way we run our business is like a family. It creates a really nice work environment — and means there is less staff turnover,” said Benamron, who owns seven physiotherapy and occupational therapy clinics in Montreal North, Verdun, Dorval and Côte-des-neiges.
“Sam is the best boss I have ever had,” physio helper Diego Noya told the Montreal Gazette, echoing Benamron's philosophy. “He treats me and everyone with respect.”
On Feb. 23, Benamron and Physio Verdun earned a “coup de coeur” mention for inclusive hiring from the jury in the annual À part entière competition organized by the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec.
It's not that there haven't been obstacles, Benamron said. “We had to invest time in our employees, to find what their difficulties were and to try to eliminate them.”
Benamron prefers “neurodiverse” to terms like “special needs” or “disabilities.” The term has gained traction.
“The new way of thinking is to accept people for who they are. It's what schools are also teaching kids — that everybody is different,” he said. “When you are more aware, you judge less.”
There will always be “the ones who will never understand. With them, it is our job as inclusive establishments to show by example. People see them in action and say: `Oh, I see.'
“The reality is that if there were more autistic people, we would be the ones who were different,” Benamron said. “When you accept somebody for who they are, usually they excel.”