A ‘great kid’ and a valuable team member, thanks to workplace inclusion
Australia Post is committed to workplace inclusion for Australians who live with disability. Michael and his dad, Greg, share their journey.
When Greg Richardson and his family moved from India to Australia, they hoped to secure a stable future. Australia Post is proud to have played a role in that future.
Greg has worked for more than 17 years in a busy mail sorting facility in Western Australia that handles around 100,000 parcels every day. Today, he is a supervisor at the facility.
Greg’s son Michael lives with disability including hearing loss, and when he was old enough to seek work Greg knew having his son work alongside him would be a fantastic opportunity, not only for Michael, but also for his team and the broader Australia Post business.
3000 suburbs later, Michael has secured a promising future
Listening to them speak, the strong bond and affection between Michael and Greg is clear. And when Michael gently tells off his dad for calling him “a great kid” rather than “a great guy”, it’s hard not to smile.
It’s this kind of light-hearted banter, combined with a love of the job, that has made Michael such a valuable team member.
But to get here, there were numerous challenges Greg and Michael had to tackle together.
“Every July, Australia Post would advertise for Christmas casuals, and I thought this was the perfect time to try to get Michael in,” he says.
And while Greg knew his son was more than capable of doing a great job, Michael couldn’t read. So together they worked on improving Michael’s skills. “I took photos of all the signs (at work), and every evening after school I would get Michael at the dining table and make him read,” Greg says. “It was difficult initially, but Michael now knows half of the 3,000 suburbs in Western Australia.”
Proud dad and supervisor
The strategy worked, with Michael landing his first job at Australia Post, and Greg’s more than pleased with his progress. “Not as a dad, but as a supervisor, I follow up his work to make sure that customers’ parcels are not missorted or going to the wrong place, and I’ve not found a mistake.”
The smile that Greg shares with Michael when he tells this story is one of pride.
“I am very proud of you, Michael. You are doing a fantastic job.”
That first casual job went so well that Michael was offered a part-time permanent role, which he has held with Australia Post for the last two years – and counting.
A joyful experience
“Michael is very caring,” Greg says of his son. “He loves challenges, he loves to sing, he’s a great guy.”
In particular, Greg is happy his son has made the most of this future that brought the family to Australia in the first place. “He’s just grasped the opportunity, and he’s really doing well.”
As for Michael, he says his job is a joyful part of his life. “I love to work at Australia Post. It’s a wonderful place. I chat with my friends about where they were born, when their birthday is, and their love stories also!”
It’s clear Michael’s experience of equal opportunity in gaining his job at Australia Post is a point of happiness for both father and son.
Equal opportunity employment at Australia Post
This inclusivity is an important part of Australia Post’s values and strategic plan, providing access to the workplace for the more than four million people in Australia who live with disability. Australia Post is a member of the Australian Network on Disability and has successfully completed the Disability Confident Recruiter program to provide an inclusive experience for candidates with disability.
Greg says this story isn’t about Michael, but about something bigger. “It’s about looking at Michael and seeing he is capable of doing these things. These people bring so much life into the workplace.”
He has noticed a change in Australia Post’s employment practices in the last few years. “Since Michael has started working at Australia Post, the management has employed many more people with disabilities in their workforce.”
We’re passionate about our team members bringing their authentic self to work, knowing they will always be supported. If you’re looking to join a diverse and supportive team, visit our Jobs site.
For assistance at any stage of recruitment, including alternative formats to the application process, please contact us at inclusivecareers@auspost.com.au.
Join our inclusive team today
Join our inclusive team today
Our diverse and inclusive workplaces bring out the best in our people. We're all ages, genders and abilities, and we come from all walks of life. That’s how we deliver for Australia—together.
