Crieff shop given Gold Star status
Praise for support for popular staff member
A business with an outlet in Crieff has been praised for its efforts in helping one of its employees gain a foothold in the world of work.
The Strath capital’s Original Factory Shop has become the latest firm to receive a Gold Star Employer Award.
‘Gold Star’ status is aimed at firms who go the extra mile to employ local people who face significant barriers to employment. This includes young job-seekers, the long-term unemployed and those with disabilities where what’s described by organisers as “reasonable adjustment” may be required.
The awards are being supported by Perth and Kinross Employment Connections, Perth and Kinross Employability Network, the Federation of Small Businesses, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and the Herald’s sister title, the Perthshire Advertiser.
Several monthly winners were announced following the scheme’s launch last summer. Now awarded quarterly, they are chosen by a judging panel made up of representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses and Perthshire Chamber of Commerce.
The nomination for Crieff’s Original Factory Shop initially stemmed from manager Angela Grieve offering Rikki Thompson – who has a learning disability – work experience in 2012.
Taking up the story, spokesperson for the awards scheme said: “Although Rikki had a lot to learn Angela noticed that Rikki had some of the skills she was looking for – he was hard-working and reliable.
“Rikki has a learning disability but Angela gave him loads of support and encouraged her staff to do the same. During the Christmas that year Rikki was delighted to be given some paid work. He said: ‘This will mean I can buy my son and partner a Christmas present this year’. Not only that, but Rikki loved working at the Factory shop as it gave him a purpose and he felt valued.”
A Gold Star Employer Awards representative went on to praise Ms Grieve for tailoring Rikki’s role to suit his needs, a decision aided by support from the Perth and Kinross Employability Network’s employment support team.
The spokesperson continued: “Fourand-a-half years on and Rikki is still working at the Original Factory Shop in Crieff. I’m happy to say that he has been on a permanent contract for the last couple of years.
“I did a workplace appraisal for Rikki yesterday and couldn’t help reflect on the difference in this man. His confidence and ability have come, on as well as his customer service skills.
“I can’t help thinking that none of this would have been possible for Rikki if the shop hadn’t been prepared to give him the chance in the first place.
“I feel that an award like this would be well deserved for this employer and will help encourage other employers to give someone else a chance.
“Having a paid job has made a huge difference financially to this young family and has improved their quality of life immeasurably.”