Stephen Batchelor – Kitchen Porter, Leeds

“Officially I'm disabled but I don't even think about it unless other people mention it”. Stephen Batchelor

In May 1988, Stephen Batchelor lost his right arm in a serious car accident. However, he remains philosophical about what happened. “It took me about six months to come around but then everything fell into place. I realised that I’d lost my arm but hadn’t lost my life. I also realised that I would have to learn to do things differently”.

During that time, Stephen wasn’t aware of many support networks or agencies for disabled people that could help him. He therefore relied upon his own resources and the support of friends and family to readjust to his changed circumstances. He was practical then about his prospects for employment and remains practical now.

Strategy for success

His strategy for success at work is simple – do with one arm what other people do with two. This approach has obviously worked because Stephen has been successfully employed in his current job as a Kitchen Porter for the last five years and was previously employed in a similar role at another hotel.

Employer's story

If Gordon Jackson, General Manager at Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa, had to sum up his approach to recruitment in one phrase then it would be ‘prove you can do the job’.  Before being offered permanent employment at the hotel, every potential employee - disabled or not - is given the chance to do exactly that. The approach works very well for everyone because each individual is given the opportunity to demonstrate whether they can fulfil all the requirements of a particular role. “We always ask ourselves whether there is any logical reason why we cannot employ a person who has a disability but has the right attitude” says Gordon, “there might be hurdles to overcome but then we think of what we can do to overcome those hurdles”.

The right person for the job

After a successful interview, candidates are employed on an eight week probationary basis. The trial period is used to allow both employer and employee a chance to assess whether the job and the person are well matched. “The focus of our selection process is to find the right person for the job. What is very important, particularly in our industry, is finding employees who have the right attitude” says Gordon.

Finding the right person for the job applies to all candidates and Gordon is fair and equal in his approach to employment of both disabled and non-disabled people. With Stephen, the hotel was only interested in his level of productivity and whether he could be as productive with one arm as other employees. Stephen has emerged as someone whose disability is not really noticed and whose productivity and effectiveness as a Kitchen Porter is not limited by his disability.

Thorpe Park Hotel also employs a housekeeper who is profoundly deaf. Manager, Gordon, who is also Chair of the Leeds Hotels Association, genuinely believes that the diverse range of roles that are available within a hotel makes his industry well placed to offer opportunities to disabled people.

Employee's story

Stephen Batchelor does not dwell on his disability. After his accident he worked in a family business before finding employment in the hotel industry. He does not need any specific adjustments or support at work and carries out his duties effectively. Stephen does accept that some employers will discriminate against disabled people though, and has experienced this personally in the past.  

Accept people for who they are

Stephen believes that the solution is for employers to accept people for who they are and what they can do, rather than make assumptions about what they might be able or unable to do. He also supports Gordon’s approach to giving people a trial period first, before making a decision about whether or not they can do a job. “See what disabled people can do before making a decision. Give them a trial period” Stephen says. And like his boss, Stephen also agrees that the hotel industry is well placed to employ disabled people. “Hotels have to cater for disabled customers, so they are in a good position to cater for disabled employees”.

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