“This work makes me feel independent and confident”

At HANOS Den Haag-Delft, it’s not just about delicious food and excellent service, but also about opportunities for everyone. Jan Willem, head chef of the kitchen and the Grand Café, and Mirjam, hostess, explain how collaborating with Werkse! creates an inclusive workplace where people can thrive. For Mirjam, this meant a fresh start and a job that perfectly suits her.

HANOS Den Haag-Delft is a modern wholesaler. They are known for their wide selection, excellent service, and social policy. The building was completely renovated in 2015 and looks neat and modern. Jan Willem is the head of the kitchen and the Grand Café. He ensures that everything runs smoothly in the kitchen. Mirjam is the hostess. She welcomes guests in the restaurant and at events. Together, they provide delicious food and drinks for the other staff and guests in a pleasant atmosphere every day.

What people can do
Jan Willem explains that HANOS is happy to help people who are looking for work through Werkse! “Werkse! is an organization that supports people in finding suitable work, and we want to help people find suitable work. So, it’s a good fit, and that makes us happy,” he says. Jan Willem and other colleagues completed training at Werkse!. There, they learned to focus on what people can do instead of what they can’t. “That way of thinking is now also being used at HANOS, and it creates a great atmosphere within the team,” he says.

The collaboration with Werkse! began nine years ago through Werkwaardig, a network of inclusive employers in the region. Within this network, companies explore what they can do for each other and how they can help people with support needs find work. People who have already gained experience through Werkse! can get an internship at HANOS. During a trial period, they assess whether they and the work are a good fit. If all goes well, they receive a permanent contract. This method has been working well for years, and many people have been given a great opportunity to find work.

Employees with support needs
Providing equal opportunities is a key element of how HANOS treats its employees. Jan Willem: “About ten percent of the 380 employees have a support need. This percentage has remained roughly the same for years, mainly due to the excellent collaboration with Werkse!”. Employees who start through Werkse! receive the same treatment as all other employees; there are no separate rules. The only training provided is buddy training. This allows HANOS employees to help new employees learn the tasks and adjust to the workplace. All employees are open to their arrival and see everyone as a colleague. And that works very well. “For example, we have someone working here with a mild intellectual disability who is one of the best employees and has since been offered a permanent contract,” Jan Willem cites as an example.

He definitely recommends this collaboration to other companies. “Werkse! is clear, understands who fits HANOS, and knows who we are looking for.” A major advantage of HANOS is that it has 26 different departments. If someone doesn’t feel completely at home in one department, there’s often another department that is a good fit.

Learning new things
Mirjam looks back fondly on her start at HANOS through Werkse!. “I saw that opportunity as a great step towards permanent employment and as a chance to grow further.” Before joining HANOS, she worked as a hairdresser and hostess in a hair salon. There, she had a lot of contact with customers and was always busy. “It’s exactly the same at HANOS. I start my mornings in the company restaurant, where I bake rolls and croissants. I also work as a hostess in the Grand Café and at events.”

Mirjam feels comfortable in the team. “Everyone is patient and explains everything clearly. I’ve already learned a lot of new things, like creating the ‘Sandwich of the Week,’ making cappuccinos and other coffees, and guiding colleagues in making the sandwiches.” At events, she learns a lot about food and dishes, such as preparing delicious snacks for guests. She enjoys the increasing responsibility and the opportunity to learn new things.

For those hesitant to work through Werkse!, Mirjam suggests trying it out for a week. “I was nervous at first, but working at HANOS immediately proved to be enjoyable and varied.” She believes it’s important that Werkse! helps people find work so they can use their own salary to do fun things, like go on vacation or buy something nice. “This work makes me feel independent and confident.”