Hampton Park’s Belinda Zacharias with (back from left) Your Employment Solutions Narre Warren consultant Mavis Hill, employment consultant Caroline Marinucci and City of Casey team leader information Jarrod Doake.By Rebecca Fraser
A HAMPTON Park woman has been dubbed a success story by a local employment agency.
Belinda Zacharias, 29, found it difficult to gain longterm employment since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder more than two years ago.
But the former supervisor, warehouse coordinator and administration assistant has been working in the City of Casey’s archive department since August.
This week Ms Zacharias was told her position had been extended for 13 weeks.
Narre Warren employment agency Your Employment Solutions (YES) helped organise the placement.
Ms Zacharias said she enjoyed being back in the workforce and the new position had greatly boosted her selfesteem and confidence.
“The people are friendly and it is very relaxed and not stressful,” she said. “The work is really good and I would like to stay.
“Being diagnosed with bipolar has not changed my work ethics and I always give 110 per cent.
“I did lose my confidence for a while but I am a quick learner and I have picked things up pretty quickly and everyone has been very helpful.”
YES is part of the Governmentfunded Job Network, and job placement officer Caroline Marinucci said a certain percentage of the service’s clients were disabled, and it always strived to find them employment that was as suitable as possible.
“Some people don’t need or want 9am5pm Monday to Friday work and instead they want 1520 hours a week,” she said. “We had a chat with Belinda to see where she would fit in and put her into a job that was relevant to the skills she has.
“She has just been as happy as Larry and working really well.
“She gets on well with everyone in the office and now she dresses differently and holds herself differently and would love to keep going with this. She is definitely our success story.”
Ms Marinucci said wage subsidies were available to companies interested in employing a person with a disability.
“Sometimes we can offer employers a full wage subsidy if the person is only working eight hours a week or two hours a day, or subsidise part of their wages,” she said.
“We are quite open to any employers to contact us if they have a suitable position in mind.”
Casey director of corporate services Steven Dalton said Ms Zacharias’ work had been absolutely outstanding and she was an extremely enthusiastic and motivated worker.
“She has been scanning through large plans and the task does require a degree of knowledge and skill,” he said. “Belinda has worked extremely well as part of the team.
