How I got a job as a Customer Assistant at Tesco

Meet Janis

Janis has a visual impairment and learning disabilities. She has been a Customer Assistant at Tesco for 11 years. We recently caught up with her to find out how she got her job.

How did you get your Customer Assistant job?

At school, because of my visual impairment and learning disability , I think they wondered what I would achieve in the future. I was never really pushed to achieve anything. They made assumptions about what I couldn’t do just because I struggled with maths and English, but there was lots I was good at and I was always determined that I would work.

So, I enrolled in Princes Trust programs to build up my skills and confidence to help me when it came time to apply for jobs.

I had always wanted to work in a Supermarket, so I applied for Tesco. They were impressed by my Princes Trust achievements offered me work experience .

I must have made a good impression as I was then offered a paid job.

What would you say to anyone with a learning disability who’s thinking of getting a job?

The advice I would give to other people with a learning disability is to build up your skills and get work experience if you can. The most important thing is not to be afraid to ask for help in the workplace.

Do you feel supported at work?

Because I have been in my job for so long, I have made lots of friends and I feel supported by them. Because of my visual impairment and learning disability I need people to show me things a few times. They understand that. Because I have such good colleagues, I am not afraid to ask for help.

Because of my limited vision I sometimes need help at work moving the cages that we use for stock and rubbish. If I have someone in front to guide me, I can say ‘right, where are we going?’ and they can help guide me.

I have been there so long now that I don’t need a lot of extra support, but I am not afraid to ask for help when I need it and I always feel supported when I do.

Because my colleagues are my friends, they are always happy to help me, and I know I can have extra breaks if I need them.

Do you think you have grown/changed since starting work?

I think my confidence has grown and I have got better at helping customers. I know where everything is in the store and I understand the Clubcard and Clubcard deals more. I get a real sense of achievement having a job and knowing that I am good at it.

What would you say to employers about hiring someone with a learning disability?

Just because you have a learning disability it doesn’t mean you’re not clever, or not a hard worker.  People sometimes assume that if someone has a learning disability or visual impairment like I do, that they might not be able to certain jobs.

Don’t underestimate our skills and capabilities and the values we can bring to a workplace, just because we have a learning disability. If you have a learning disability you can still achieve what you want to in life, it just might take you a bit longer to get to where you want to be.

People with learning disabilities can be very valuable and make a positive difference in the workplace. Once people see what I am capable of, I am given the same opportunities as everyone else.

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for their generous grant, funding this work.