Paul French – Designer

“There’s nothing about the way I work that is different from anyone else doing the same job.”

To the untrained eye, the average cardboard box may look fairly uncomplicated and straightforward but behind every cardboard box, there’s a designer like Paul French.

Paul works at the Box Factory in Leamington Spa and it’s his job to produce designs for packaging that meet the requirements of clients who need boxes and packaging of all shapes and sizes. Paul says that his job requires a combination of creative skills to generate conceptual ideas and logic to be able to produce packaging that is functional and fit for purpose.

Paul has worked for the company for around 16 years and during all that time has managed to work successfully in spite of having diabetes type 1. He’s had diabetes for the last twenty eight years and has become accustomed to managing his health at work. He says “Diabetes does not affect my job. If employers know that you can manage it, then it will not be an issue for them.”

Employer's story

Production Works Director Neil Price, is very confident about his company’s approach to recruitment. “We employ people on the basis of ability. We believe that a company is only as good as its workforce.” Neil adds, “We wouldn’t let something like disability stand in the way of our employing the right person.”

Neil has worked with Paul for the last 15 years and has observed at close hand how well he has been able to manage his health. Neil says that his strengths as a designer are the same as any other.

Matching ability to jobs

At the Box Factory, disabled candidates for jobs are assessed the same way as any other candidate. “It’s about matching ability to the job” says Neil. “If we need to make adjustments, we do what we need to do.” The company has employed several people with disabilities and it’s never caused any problems.

Employee's story

Paul enjoys the challenge of coming up with new design concepts, but his job involves more than just designing packaging from corrugated board. He also has to liaise with customers to ensure that these designs are produced to match their exact requirements, usually within tight timescales and budget constraints. Technology has had a positive impact on his work and Paul no longer has to rely on a pencil, ruler, tape measure and knife but now uses CAD (computer-aided-design) software to create design templates and produce samples for customer approval.

Valued experience

As a designer, Paul’s job is mainly office based but does involve some occasional business travel. His years of experience as a designer are highly valued and he works regularly with repeat customers and also with customers new to the business.

No adjustments have had to be made for Paul at the company and he doesn’t require any special support to do his work. The blood sugar level tester and insulin injection pen that he needs to monitor and maintain his sugar levels are stored in a small pouch which he keeps in his desk.

Good health management

Paul has had diabetes since his childhood but says that he self-manages his condition. He looks after his overall health with regular insulin injections, ‘healthy living’ and exercise. When he’s at work, he regularly tests his sugar levels. Self-monitoring of blood glucose is an essential part of the treatment for people with Type 1 diabetes.

“In my role, I have to ensure customers and colleagues alike understand what can realistically be achieved” says Paul about his job. The same principle applies when employers recruit staff that have long term health conditions or disabilities. In Paul’s case, he has certainly delivered the goods as a designer and his length of service at the Box Factory proves it.

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