Michaels Distribution Center
In Fall of 2021, Michaels Distribution Center in New Lenox, IL contacted the Will County field office of the Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) to discuss their companywide initiative to hire individuals with disabilities within their stores and distribution centers. DRS Business Services Consultant, Biswa Phuyal, jumped on this opportunity and met with Connie Tippett, Human Resources Manager, to discuss Michaels corporate “Makers Like Me Program”, a pilot program to increase disability hires within their organization and building a culture of inclusion. This program is also a direct reflection of Michaels values: “Together, we do the right thing by being inclusive, putting people first, and celebrating our differences.”
After this initial meeting, Biswa set up a web call for the local Will County DRS team to meet with Connie and learn more about Michaels program and how the Rehabilitation Counselors can make referrals. From here, a great relationship was formed! Several job seekers were referred, and several were hired at the local distribution center. In fact, Connie goes above and beyond and will contact HR Managers at Michaels stores in the Chicagoland area to connect candidates who may prefer to work in a retail environment.
In addition to Biswa introducing Connie to the local DRS team, he provided information about the entire Workforce Center of Will County partnership and how the Core Partners could assist Michaels with their recruiting of individuals. Immediately, Connie set up an account to post their many job openings to the Job Board of Workforce Services Division of Will County and connected with the Business Services staff to learn more on how they could assist Michaels with their hiring. At the time Michaels reached out for assistance, the Workforce Center of Will County’s Businesses Services Team was planning a job fair specifically to assist individuals with disabilities. The timing was perfect, and Michaels signed up to attend as a participating business.
Locally, Michaels has been part of the disability employment ecosystem for a while now, but the overall resources available through the Workforce Center of Will County has been very beneficial in the assisting of hiring Material Handlers needed at their distribution center. Connie stated “I consider this one of the best partnerships I have developed in over 20 years working in Human Resources. I cannot thank this team enough for not only what they do for our company, but more importantly what they do for the communities in Will County”. Michaels is currently gearing up to hire several hundred seasonal workers at the Distribution Center in New Lenox. With that being said, all WIOA partners will be available to assist Michaels with their hiring needs.
Biswa summed up his relationship with Michaels by stating, “Michaels is a true partner within the Will County Workforce System as well as partner agencies. They care about their employees and have a mission driven goal of not only hiring individuals with disabilities but fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that is collaborative and productive”.
