Interview
Pedro Granados, manager of the Special Employment Center «Residencia Altagracia», for 4 years in Bodilla del Monte currently has 42 employees with all types of disabilities (hearing, sight, mental, physical,…).
1.- How did the idea of setting up a special employment center come about, carrying out the residency activity?
We started 11 years ago with this idea, my father learned how special employment centers worked through his previous job, which led us to open the first residence 9 years ago, the second 4 years ago and the last one only a year ago.
2.- How were the beginnings, what motivated you?
With many administrative procedures, since in the Community of Madrid to register as a Special Employment Center, first it has to be a business that is viable, that you have the capacity to develop it and also that you have security in the next four or five years, the business it has to be self-sufficient.
The most laborious thing is to have a good staff, first that they know how to do the job, second that they are professionals (who have the capacity to learn).
One important thing that exists between the Residence and the Special Employment Center is that it is a pairing, that is to say, the resident who is an elderly person needs a lot of affection and, in turn, a person with a disability who has somehow required at some point in his life. life honey.
3.- What have been the main aids you have and have you received?
A monthly help commensurate with the salary of the employees.
4.- What are the barriers or obstacles that have been encountered?
We have not had barriers or obstacles, if not I would say that it has been laborious, we have had to adapt the building to the regulations, since some of the elderly are in wheelchairs.
5.- Explain what are the advantages and disadvantages of a special employment center?
Administratively much more work to obtain economic advantages.
The drawback that we have been able to find when being disabled personnel is that we have to adapt to the worker, not like a conventional company that adapts the worker to the company.
6.- Have you had to make cuts in your company with the crisis?
Especially in the delays in aid payments.
7.- Why have you chosen our group for hiring?
We met you through the hiring of Miguel Angel who told us about the Association and the existence of a job bank for people with disabilities, we found it very interesting and we decided to contact you.
8.- What benefits and what drawbacks do you find with respect to other disabilities?
There are no differences, people with kidney disease do their work normally, they can get more tired than other workers who have other pathologies, but we try to adapt to it, it is the case of Mari Luz that morning work was busier so the day ended much more tired and we decided to pass it to the afternoon shift.
Aprender cosas nuevas, aunque el trabajo es duro, me siento muy agradecida de la oportunidad que me dieron ya que es un trabajo bonito, el cuidar a los ancianos aunque me gustaría poder dedicarles mucho más tiempo.
¿Qué fue lo que más te motivo en este trabajo?
Sobre todo las circunstancias personales y tener la oportunidad de un trabajo fijo.
Mª Luz
¿Qué fue lo que más le atrajo del puesto que desempeña en la residencia?
El poder ayudar a las personas que lo necesitan. Así como practicar la risoterapía con ellos. No hay mejor medicina que pueda alargar la vida y hacerla más llevadera.
Miguel Ángel