Being involved in a mentoring or buddy program can be useful to both you and a co-worker with disability as you both work toward your career goals. The following fact sheet can help get you started.
We also have information about providing support in the workplace for co-workers experiencing mental illness:
What are mentoring or buddy programs?
Mentoring or buddy programs focus on:
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building strong, supportive relationships between colleagues
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helping new employees settle in to a work place
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improving productivity through increased job satisfaction.
In many organisations, new staff complete induction training and then participate in a mentoring or buddy program for their first few weeks on the job. A program like this helps colleagues gain knowledge and develop work related skills much more quickly than they would on their own.
Some workplaces extend the use of these programs because of the ongoing benefits they provide to individual team members and the organisation as a whole.
What is the benefit to the workplace?
These programs develop relationships that benefit both you and the person that you are paired with. They generally involve a more experienced person helping a less experienced person to achieve their goals within the workplace.
Both members of a buddy or mentoring pair are able to contribute different skills and experiences to the relationship. While one may have more workplace experience, the other may have very different life experiences. This can create greater awareness and acceptance of diversity in the workplace.
The following case study is an excellent example of the two way sharing that occurs through such a program:
Employees who are less confident in the workplace or a bit unsure of their place within a team can benefit when linked with a co-worker who can support them individually to become more confident in their role.
Safety in the workplace
An established buddy program can support occupational health and safety in the workplace. In an emergency situation, such as an evacuation or hazard in the workplace, it is ideal if each person looks out for the wellbeing of another.
Where a team member’s disability makes it hard for them to move quickly, see hazardous conditions or hear warning signals in the workplace, a buddy program will ensure no one is left isolated and at risk.
Your employer may be interested in the following checklist for emergency and evacuation procedures:
But my workplace doesn’t have a mentoring or buddy program!
Establishing a mentoring or buddy program can be done in a formal or informal manner.
Our Related Links contain useful information about the benefits of mentoring and buddying in the workplace. You could bring these benefits to your supervisor’s attention.
It is also possible to organise an informal buddy program within your team, made up of anyone who values the idea of colleagues supporting each other in this way.