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. 24, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Culver's Recognized for Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Practices

BURLINGTON – Culver's franchise owner Tom Harbert believes everyone deserves a chance to work and make an impact in their community.

"Whether or not their job skills are portioning peanuts for a day or running register, running grills, (or) doing closing, there is certainly an opportunity to have employment in this industry," Harbert said.

Because of its diverse and inclusive hiring practices that welcome individuals with disabilities into its workforce, Culver's was recognized as an Exemplary Employer by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DWD/DVR) at an event at the franchise on Oct. 23.

The award was presented as Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed October National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Wisconsin to highlight businesses that recruit and hire people with disabilities. Last year, more than 2,000 employers created more inclusive workplaces in Wisconsin. The Culver's franchise in Burlington is one of more than 20 employers being recognized throughout the month for leading the way to building a more diverse workforce in the state.

“We applaud Culver's for its ongoing commitment to hire and retain individuals with disabilities as highly valued members of their workforce," DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. "This is truly a win for workers, employers and Wisconsin communities."

Harbert attributed the franchise's successful partnership with DVR to support of his restaurant leadership team, as well as the guidance of job coaches from the Racine County Opportunity Center, a local partnering agency.

All Wisconsin employers are encouraged to contact 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.

Franchise owner Tom Harbert (far left) stands with Culver's of Burlington's team members, local DVR leadership, and consumer service providers from Racine Opportunity Center. — Left to right: Franchise Owner Tom Harbert, Culver's team members Jessica Johnson, Shelby Kandl, Justin Meyer, Kellen Kohlscheen, and DVR Consumer Tristan Schultz. Continuing from left, Workforce Development Area 1's DVR Supervisor Angie DeJong, DVR Director Susan Chandek, DVR Counselor Brendan Bobylak, VR Specialist Hillary Schenk, Business Services Consultant Shaun Lukas. Completing the group, from right, are Melissa Brewer, Jaime Dieter, and Katie Knudson with local DVR service provider Racine County Opportunity Center, and DVR Bureau of Consumer Services Bureau Director Allison Gordon.

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.