Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 13, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Panera Bread Recognized for Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Practices

WEST BEND – Panera Bread general manager Mary Jo Aceto and her shift managers are known to go above and beyond to make sure Panera employees who work with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DWD/DVR) have the support they need to succeed in their jobs.

"At the end of the day, it’s the right thing to do," Aceto said. "We all have something that is special and unique about us, and some individuals' special-and-unique just provide us with an opportunity to learn and seek out creative solutions."

Because of its diverse and inclusive hiring and retention practices that welcome individuals with disabilities into its workforce, Panera Bread of West Bend was presented with an Exemplary Employer award at a ceremony with DVR leadership on Oct. 11. Panera Bread is one of 25 businesses being recognized throughout October, which Gov. Evers proclaimed as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Last year, more than 2,000 employers created more inclusive workplaces in Wisconsin by hiring people with disabilities.

“Panera Bread is making a difference in West Bend by hiring and retaining people with disabilities, and we encourage other employers to do the same for the good of their workforce and communities,” DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “People with disabilities bring valuable qualities to their jobs, and any employer would be fortunate to have them as workers.”

Panera Bread employees are provided with job shadowing opportunities, and Aceto makes sure shift managers are familiar with the needs of all employees when she is not working herself.

All Wisconsin employers are encouraged to reach out to DVR and meet with a local Business Services Consultant who can connect them with a variety of free resources to help recruit and hire people with disabilities, build staff diversity and retain well-trained employees.

DVR helped over 3,350 Wisconsin residents with disabilities find work over the past year. Individuals with a disability looking for ways to find a job, keep a job, or get a better job are encouraged to contact DVR at 800-262-0050, visit a local DVR office, or visit the DVR website.

New Job Accommodations Training

To help provide employers with educational resources to diversify their workplace and create work environments that help retain employees, and to give employees information about their rights and responsibilities in the workforce, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) has created new online accommodation trainings for employers, workers, and job seekers.

The Accommodation Training Library consists of brief, informational videos that cover topics, including hiring people with disabilities, the reasonable accommodation process, disclosing a disability, disability discrimination, and other topics related to employment law. The new accommodation training videos can be found on the DWD Career Pathways website.

The videos were created as part of a U.S. Department of Education Career Pathways Advancement (CPA) Initiative grant awarded to DVR in 2021. The CPA Initiative is allowing DVR to create resources and opportunities to support DVR consumers as they advance in their careers.

Left to right: Denise Puffer, DVR Business Services Consultant; Amy May, DVR Area Director; Linda Linscott, Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin Workforce Development Specialist; Kirby Taylor, Panera Bread Employee; Mary Jo Aceto, Panera Bread General Manager; and Leia McCann, Panera Bread Employee.

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.