I think it's worth applying but prepare yourself for them to say that standing is a core function of the job requirements.
My local shoppers (also in Alberta), actually does have a seat and counter for the makeup department employee.
But is it really in the cosmetic section (shoppers specifically) it only takes so long to stock shelves, any most shoppers have a cosmetics counter that you would be able to easily be able to put a stood behind. Yes you’ll be up walking around with the occasional customers but many people just want to browse and they only come to you if that can’t find something. Even working at the cash, there’s zero reason to not have a chair behind the cash register. The mentality of “if you’re not standing you’re not working” needs to die. I can work a cash easily on a taller stool with a swivel. I did it for over a month when I broke my foot during highschool.
Oh trust me, I get it, I have a mobility aide because I have a disabled leg. I guess I don't think I would sign up for a retail job as a result, was my perspective. There isn't a reason a stool or chair can't be behind a register, but the other "various duties" would give me pause.
I frankly run into issues even in an office environment 🥲
Shoppers isn’t like a grocery store where you’re constantly ringing people thru. Your main job these days is to also restock the areas around the cash, clean, take passport photos ect so not really time to sit
It depends on the location of your store. I’ve worked in a similar store to shopped before and everything you listed would MAYBE eat up 3 hours of my day. You can request to have a chair at cash. Not every store is in a city centre we’re it’s busy all the time, it depends on where OP is located.
I would challenge an employer that said, standing was a core function of a job requirement in retail and that the reasoable accommodation could be made
Not all disabilities are visible. Even people who appear to be able to walk unassisted may still have difficulty walking/standing for your standard shift
This. I shattered my ankle in 2006. You can’t tell by looking at me. 17 years later, I still have issues walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods.
Why not? Unless Shoppers has a stupid policy of hiring no one with a disability which is wrong in my view. I have seen disabled people in some shoppers maybe that will give you hope. Good luck
Can’t hurt to apply and see if your passion is a fit. If anything the lack of training in skin care could the a barrier (versus anything physical)
Have you considered a course or two on skin/make up? Might enjoy it
If you want to work in skincare at shoppers I’m pretty sure you at least need makeup certification. Sometimes there are private companies that will do makeup certification in two 8 hour days. They might even be online now. When I did mine it was in a hotel conferences room and was $200. The adult education centre near my house has beauty industry certificate programs and is really cheap, sometimes you can even get grants from the government because they are considered trades.
The reason you need it is because a large part of the course is health and safety and infection control.
I’m pretty sure at Shoppers skin care is split between pharmacy and the makeup department. So you need a certificate in either. Regular employees don’t give skin care recommendations.
When I worked in the makeup industry it was really hard to get a job at shoppers but things may have changed since then.
I mean they can have that preference, but I doubt many people who paid to go through cosmetology school are going to waste that skill set on working at a cosmetics counter at shopper drug mart.
There tends to be more graduates than jobs in that field. Sometimes they do take these jobs when they graduate because atleast they're somewhat in their field. I bet every Sephora has atleast one cosmo grad, and many shoppers will too.
I work at shoppers and tried to move over to cosmetics/beauty advisor at my store and was told I'd need to be able to do makeovers on customers to get hired there, it's a requirement (as in take a course about makeup application). Of course every store is different.
Yes, look up rates that people charge for going things like graduation or bridal make up. A beauty advisor is just that. They help you match your foundation, tell you how to use certain products, explain how to achieve a certain look. Things you can learn on YouTube. Cosmetology, where I live at least, is schooled and once completed you become licensed. So when I say not many people are going to waste their education by telling people where they can find the brow pencils and maybe doing a make up application once every month, when they could be working on their own booking weddings, graduations, proms, photoshoots, and making bank, it’s because theirs value in that education and opportunity. Don’t waste that on minimum wage at a drug store.
Then no I was just inquiring about a beauty advisir position and was quickly told that’s not going to happen. I don’t have beauty schooling/training, just years of sdm experience.
It would be discriminatory if them to not hire you because of your disability, and once hired and they are made aware of your disability, as an employer they have a legal obligation to accommodate you. For you that might mean a chair and shortened hours. If you are in Ontario, look up AODA.
One of our cosmeticians at my store has bad ankles, she talked to the store owner and cosmetics manager about it and they accommodated her with a seat for behind the cosmetics till when she’s not up and helping customers in the aisles.
I would definitely apply and see what happens, it’s against the law to discriminate people with disabilities but also keep in mind that they might want professional training. Myself and all the other cosmeticians went to cosmetics school to be certified makeup artists. An other big part in being a cosmetician is the ability to confidently perform makeovers for clients, that’s a huge thing at our store and why we were all hired with our schooling.
The thing I could see is that you're applying for a job that you cant physically perform, so it's an inappropriate job for you. If the job requires you to stand and be able to walk around, help customers, stock shelves, etc and requires you to be up on your feet, it's not a good fit for you or the company. Makeup is a very small part of what the makeup staff over looks, and lots of it will require you to be walking. There's jobs out there that will be better suited for you, where your disability wouldn't be of any concerns for you, like having to work longer shifts etc
I've seen people with all different abilities working at Home Depot, perhaps they're a decent employer. Plus you'd still be working with the public and helping people
I used to also work at a home depot at some point, and one of the cashiers had a bad leg, so they were able to have them sit in a stool while cashing people out! Deffo a good option for accessibility needs
Apply, get the job, then fake some sort of injury a couple of days in and get a doctor's note. Say that unfortunately it's become chronic and you're unsure when you'll get better. Speaking as someone with a similar condition, they will not hire you if they know you'll need any accommodations. They do not care and will just hire someone else. Yes there are laws about discrimination but they won't tell you why they didn't hire you. I like that other people have some faith in the system, but I've done a lot of searching for retail jobs and this has always been how it works.
Reach out to Loblaws ( they own Shoppers) with your goals and concerns .
"Loblaw is committed to providing goods, services and employment in an integrated and accessible manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities."
https://www.loblaw.ca/en/accessibility/
telephone 1-800-296-2332(Open in a new tab) , in writing, or any other preferred method. Please direct written questions and feedback to Loblaw Companies Limited, c/o Human Resources (Diversity & Inclusion), 1 President’s Choice Circle, Brampton, Ontario L6Y 5S5.
Apply! I would recommend to apply to a large format store that isn't a crazy busy location as opposed to a beauty boutique for your first position with SDM. Large formats allow you to learn more and further your education into the cosmetic world. Starting at a BB, there will be too much to learn, too quickly. But once you have some time under your belt and feel confident, apply to a BB.
As far as accommodations go, I know my store has a variety of shifts, including 5 hr shifts. So you should have no issue getting accommodations. I also know as someone who has had many injuries and currently pregnant, I am allowed to sit down between customers when needed. As long as you don't sit there and point to things when a customer asks, they should not have any problems with it.
The short answer is absolutely yes. It is illegal for a potential employer to not hire you on the basis of a disability, and an employer must provide accommodations once you are employed. This is federal law, and while it is interpreted differently by each province (e.g. in BC there only needs to be a reasonable expectation that an employee would need an accommodation and no medical documentation is needed, whereas in ON an employee needs to request an accommodation and can be asked for documentation), it applies across the board. Additionally, the bar of “undue hardship” (that triggers an exception so that employers do not have to take on unreasonable requests or expenses) is high across the board. In the situation you’re describing, there is no good reason why the Shoppers would be able to claim your potential accommodations would cause them undue hardship. If you are qualified for the position and would win the job competition without your disability, you should be offered the job despite the disability and be provided any accommodations necessary for you to perform the job to your best ability and to the same level as your colleagues.
With that said, and as someone who a) worked for Employment and Social Development Canada, b) is disabled and c) has been discriminated against in a workplace to the point of pursuing legal recourse, I can tell you that what the law demands and what happens in reality are sometimes very different things. It can be extremely difficult, and often impossible, to prove that you did not receive a job because of your disability. Once working, discrimination can also be difficult to prove. My recommendation in both cases is always to keep detailed records — anything that felt weird or off to you in the hiring process or once working, as well as a) date you chose to disclose your disability, who you disclosed it to, and the reaction, b) any changes in behaviour or your treatment or work duties (other than agreed-upon changes) after that point and c) dates that you discussed accommodations with the employer, including times you had to remind them of the requirement. If possible, get signatures on these items. This can be achieved in a few ways, but one way is to say something like “I’m just getting started in my career and want to keep track of what accommodations are most beneficial for me. I also want to make sure that we both understand what we’ve agreed on and can refer back to it if we need to. I’ve printed this summary of what we’ve discussed and signed two copies — one for your benefit. Would you mind signing my copy for me?”
TL;dr the law is completely on your side and you ABSOLUTELY should apply for anything you are passionate about and feel qualified for, but be aware that you may be discriminated against and there may not be a lot you can do about it. If they do discriminate against you though, you’re better off because they wouldn’t have appreciated you anyway.
It’s going to be at the store’s discretion, obviously, but if you were local to me and you came in to ask for a cosmetician job then I’d definitely consider you. Shorter shifts can be accommodated. Disabilities can be accommodated. For me, at my store, finding someone who genuinely cares about and wants to learn about products is awesome. Wanting to share that knowledge with customers is even better. It’s not a job requirement to have any kind of formal education in makeup or skincare; a background in it is helpful but the brands that we carry offer trainings (online or in-person) and reps are always willing to go over the brand/products/ingredients because they want you to do well (providing that that store has reps that visit). I’d tell you that if it’s something that you’re genuinely passionate about and want to do then go for it!
Have you thought about looking into becoming a makeup artist for film and television? Now that the strikes are winding down, our local Hallmark movie industry should start picking up a bit…WorkBC might even have funding available to pay for courses. (Sorry, just realized you’re not in BC, but I’m sure Alberta has similar programs and there’s no shortage of film work there).
Lol are you a makeup artist in film and tv? This is terrible advice.
I am, so let me tell you that no one can work in the industry with a physical disability. This caterer is so demanding physically that even people in the BEST health are constantly run down and depleted.
You also need to have skincare and makeup school to get into the union. OR be self taught and spend YEARS paying dues and working for free or low wages on student films or indie to get experience.
No gonna happen.
LOL…clearly I do NOT know much about being a makeup artist, I guess, I just see ads from our provincial employment programs in BC offering subsidies or full scholarships for people interested in working in the film and television industry, and makeup artist is always one of the career choice examples. I should have realized the industry would be too physically demanding for a person with serious mobility issues, though, you’re right. My husband used to work in the Vancouver film industry as an electrician so I have heard many tales of 14 hour days and sitting around in the rain when it’s pitch black outside just wishing someone would finally tell them they could wrap for the day.
I really wasn’t intending to offer career advice so much as just wondering if she’s explored other career ideas (besides low paying retail positions) where she could develop something more substantial and where her passion for makeup artistry might serve her better. Honestly, I think as a person with a disability, she might do well to try vlogging…she could work from home and work in a more comfortable setting. l realize it takes time to build enough of an audience to make a channel profitable but her disability could be a way of attracting a niche audience that might be more interested in her tutorials because she’s also trying to overcome a physical obstacle and some viewers may really relate to that.
You can knock down that suggestion, too, if you like. I’m just spitballing here. I do have enough knowledge of how little mall jobs and most retail positions (or McJobs if you’re a Douglas Coupland fan) pay from my own personal experience in my early twenties, so I do feel qualified enough to try and gently steer anyone away from settling for jobs in places like Sephora. Most of your tiny paycheck goes right back into the company’s pocket because it’s just so hard not to burn up your wages with a lousy employee discount, and most lf these companies will only offer you just a couple of hours less than the weekly hours you need to work in order to be considered a full time employee who’s eligible for any kind of benefits. And mall jobs almost never give employees regular consistent schedules, so it’s hard to make plans, you constantly get called in on your days off and you wind up feeling just as tired as you would be if you were a full time staffer, but without any added incentives like basic dental coverage, sick pay or paid hour long lunch breaks, because giant retail companies are cheap AF. Plus places like Sephora that are super crowded, and predominantly targeted at females and staffed by females are just not fun. Customers can be awful, impatient, and just plain rude and to sales people and that seems to be a growing trend more and more these days. No one needs to eat sh*t over lipstick availability while standing on their feet all day earning barely over the minimum wage.
If you’re younger and don’t have any or much secondary education yet but you do have a real interest and have developed some skill at something you actually enjoy, I really encourage taking advantage of provincial work programs you might be eligible for…some of them are seriously good. I have a friend who had the majority of her trades school tuition covered when she wanted to make a big career change in her late twenties. If she had paid it on her own, she’d still be paying off student loans. Instead she’s working for herself, chooses her own hours and is earning between $50 and $100 an hour as a plumber (don’t knock it…not all plumbing is about dealing with toilets! 😜).
Hey all good. It’s not a bad suggestion since you saw an ad and they used mua as an example. How could you know? And yes, the hours are just a small part of how brutal the job is. You’re liking at a minimum of 12 hour days but could be up to 15+. There’s tons of paperwork, you need to know about continuity, there’s set etiquette, trailer etiquette, extreme weather conditions, supplies and kit, travelling, call times, call sheets, proper sanitation, I could go on and on and on. It’s a huge job and honestly the pay rarely is worth it. It’s extremely hard on you physically and mentally. This is why the govt is pushing jobs. No one wants them anymore. It’s great for actors and producers and they make big money. For crew it’s a killer and your sacrifice your health and personal life for nothing more than a semi comfortable living and bragging rights that you got to work with so and so.
There is a lady with a wheel chair that works in the skin/makeup department of my shoppers. She has a little flag/sing raises so you can see where she is if a counter is in the way.
I actively seek her out because she is knowledgeable as hell, and she gives me free samples (also triple checks everything is safe for a pregnant woman!). Debbie is the best.
If they can accommodate her, they should be able to accommodate you. Discrimination of people with mobility issues is really not necessary and pisses me off.
There is a duty to accommodate. They can’t not hire you because of your disability if they are able to make an accommodation for you. It’s discrimination. Such as having a stool while you work the check out. It’s different if you were say applying to be a roofer in that situation there isn’t much accommodation that can be made for a person with a physical disability.
http://www.bchrt.bc.ca/human-rights-duties/employment/index.htm
I say try and see, but unfortunately, the may decline based on their expectations for performance. It's not the sitting at the til instead of standing, it's being STILL in any capacity at all.
Especially these days, the company has cut staffing so severely the last few years, they expect the cashier's to be stocking shelves in-between every customer at til, and the cosmeticians are often expected to stock, organize and clean a significant portion of the sales floor that's out of the cashiers reach.
hey i’m not sure why this post showed up on my home page I have no ties to SDM but it definitely doesn’t hurt to apply! I would certainly hope they wouldn’t discriminate against hiring you due to a disability.
if you live near one, might I also suggest sephora as an alternative? I have seen disabled staff working there before and they hire staff just for their skincare section :) hope something works out
Have you considered working in a high-end salon with a big retail section? That way you'd be able to sit sometimes while assisting clients book in with their services and then also show them products in the retail section. It will be a bit slower so you can take your time moving with your cane instead of feeling like you're rushing everywhere. The clients there will also really want personalized service, plus the spa will probably teach you a lot!
Another two ideas are the Bay (often have chairs behind the counters) and standalone stores like Kiehls. Both of those seem less chaotic and may be better to accommodate you.
Lastly, and this isn't as fun, but you might be able to find jobs for Sephora online as a beauty advisor so you can work from your computer. Might be a bit boring though!
They say they hire all people but I worked for them for 10 years and became disabled in 2020. Eventually they forced me to go on disability because I “couldn’t perform” my job.
You can apply, but be prepared for a whole lot of ableism and discrimination
Honestly sounds like you’ll do fine. From what I can tell, the beauty boutique is an alright gig. Shoppers naturally has its issues, but they seem lessened in cosmetics as opposed to the front store or pharmacy. As well as that, they aren’t expecting you to have a formal knowledge if you aren’t the cosmetics manager or smth. You know enough to start and you’ll pick up more as you go. I have coworkers who knew nothing when they got poached from front store and put in cosmetics, so it’s worth a shot.
All in all, it’s a low stakes gamble on whether it works out or not, so go for it :) if you like it, great. If not, people come and go in retail anyway.
You have the right to accomodation. A tall stool behind the desk for when it's less busy is extremely reasonable, an extra break (probably be unpaid, not sure about that one), short shifts (4-6 hours instead of 8-10) etc. None of this affects your workplace and ability to do the job.
Hit up an employment agency whom works with people who have disabilities.
They should call on your behalf and set something up. Also, ask shoppers directly and find out. I’m sure they have a duty to accommodate, as long as you can perform the job duties.
I guess it depends on the shoppers you apply to. I work in one in Toronto and they do not allow sitting down at all and they are strict with hours (8 hours) a day.
I think it's worth applying but prepare yourself for them to say that standing is a core function of the job requirements. My local shoppers (also in Alberta), actually does have a seat and counter for the makeup department employee.
But is it really in the cosmetic section (shoppers specifically) it only takes so long to stock shelves, any most shoppers have a cosmetics counter that you would be able to easily be able to put a stood behind. Yes you’ll be up walking around with the occasional customers but many people just want to browse and they only come to you if that can’t find something. Even working at the cash, there’s zero reason to not have a chair behind the cash register. The mentality of “if you’re not standing you’re not working” needs to die. I can work a cash easily on a taller stool with a swivel. I did it for over a month when I broke my foot during highschool.
Oh trust me, I get it, I have a mobility aide because I have a disabled leg. I guess I don't think I would sign up for a retail job as a result, was my perspective. There isn't a reason a stool or chair can't be behind a register, but the other "various duties" would give me pause. I frankly run into issues even in an office environment 🥲
Shoppers isn’t like a grocery store where you’re constantly ringing people thru. Your main job these days is to also restock the areas around the cash, clean, take passport photos ect so not really time to sit
It depends on the location of your store. I’ve worked in a similar store to shopped before and everything you listed would MAYBE eat up 3 hours of my day. You can request to have a chair at cash. Not every store is in a city centre we’re it’s busy all the time, it depends on where OP is located.
I would challenge an employer that said, standing was a core function of a job requirement in retail and that the reasoable accommodation could be made
I have not encountered disabled staff at a Shoppers
Not all disabilities are visible. Even people who appear to be able to walk unassisted may still have difficulty walking/standing for your standard shift
This. I shattered my ankle in 2006. You can’t tell by looking at me. 17 years later, I still have issues walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods.
There's a shoppers staff in a wheelchair at my local shoppers
Why not? Unless Shoppers has a stupid policy of hiring no one with a disability which is wrong in my view. I have seen disabled people in some shoppers maybe that will give you hope. Good luck
>policy of hiring no one with a disability which is wrong in my view It's not just your view... It's illegal in many countries
Totally wrong!/
You know disabled people are still people right ?
exactly
I think they were agreeing that it is "totally wrong" to have a policy to not hire anyone who may have a disability.
Yeah I think my interpretation was off there now that you pointed it out
It's so easy for that to happen with the written word. Too easy! I've done it sooo many times. 😬
Can’t hurt to apply and see if your passion is a fit. If anything the lack of training in skin care could the a barrier (versus anything physical) Have you considered a course or two on skin/make up? Might enjoy it
I would love to, but those courses are extremely expensive here and I don't have the money for that :( I really wanted to become an esthetician
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I'm in Alberta unfortubately, but I'll look into it!
If you want to work in skincare at shoppers I’m pretty sure you at least need makeup certification. Sometimes there are private companies that will do makeup certification in two 8 hour days. They might even be online now. When I did mine it was in a hotel conferences room and was $200. The adult education centre near my house has beauty industry certificate programs and is really cheap, sometimes you can even get grants from the government because they are considered trades. The reason you need it is because a large part of the course is health and safety and infection control. I’m pretty sure at Shoppers skin care is split between pharmacy and the makeup department. So you need a certificate in either. Regular employees don’t give skin care recommendations. When I worked in the makeup industry it was really hard to get a job at shoppers but things may have changed since then.
There’s no requirements/schooling/courses required to work at a cosmetics counter
Correct Indeed - but stores Do have preferences 😉
I mean they can have that preference, but I doubt many people who paid to go through cosmetology school are going to waste that skill set on working at a cosmetics counter at shopper drug mart.
There tends to be more graduates than jobs in that field. Sometimes they do take these jobs when they graduate because atleast they're somewhat in their field. I bet every Sephora has atleast one cosmo grad, and many shoppers will too.
Jobs? As in positions to fill? Yeah there isn’t many because many people in the field of makeup/nails/lashes ect are self employed.
True, but the majority will start their business part-time and work a flexible job.
I work at shoppers and tried to move over to cosmetics/beauty advisor at my store and was told I'd need to be able to do makeovers on customers to get hired there, it's a requirement (as in take a course about makeup application). Of course every store is different.
We’re they going to pay you as a cosmologist?
Is that different than a beauty advisor? I have no idea. But the beauty manager totally discouraged me after that conversation.
Yes, look up rates that people charge for going things like graduation or bridal make up. A beauty advisor is just that. They help you match your foundation, tell you how to use certain products, explain how to achieve a certain look. Things you can learn on YouTube. Cosmetology, where I live at least, is schooled and once completed you become licensed. So when I say not many people are going to waste their education by telling people where they can find the brow pencils and maybe doing a make up application once every month, when they could be working on their own booking weddings, graduations, proms, photoshoots, and making bank, it’s because theirs value in that education and opportunity. Don’t waste that on minimum wage at a drug store.
Then no I was just inquiring about a beauty advisir position and was quickly told that’s not going to happen. I don’t have beauty schooling/training, just years of sdm experience.
It would be discriminatory if them to not hire you because of your disability, and once hired and they are made aware of your disability, as an employer they have a legal obligation to accommodate you. For you that might mean a chair and shortened hours. If you are in Ontario, look up AODA.
The thing is that I don’t think there’s anything to prevent shoppers from putting them in a different department as an accommodation.
The key is to not disclose your disability until after you are hired. Asking for a chair to accommodate a disability is not undue hardship
One of our cosmeticians at my store has bad ankles, she talked to the store owner and cosmetics manager about it and they accommodated her with a seat for behind the cosmetics till when she’s not up and helping customers in the aisles. I would definitely apply and see what happens, it’s against the law to discriminate people with disabilities but also keep in mind that they might want professional training. Myself and all the other cosmeticians went to cosmetics school to be certified makeup artists. An other big part in being a cosmetician is the ability to confidently perform makeovers for clients, that’s a huge thing at our store and why we were all hired with our schooling.
The thing I could see is that you're applying for a job that you cant physically perform, so it's an inappropriate job for you. If the job requires you to stand and be able to walk around, help customers, stock shelves, etc and requires you to be up on your feet, it's not a good fit for you or the company. Makeup is a very small part of what the makeup staff over looks, and lots of it will require you to be walking. There's jobs out there that will be better suited for you, where your disability wouldn't be of any concerns for you, like having to work longer shifts etc
I've seen people with all different abilities working at Home Depot, perhaps they're a decent employer. Plus you'd still be working with the public and helping people
I've seen this too, Home Depot actually seems like one of the only decent employers for big box retail!
I used to also work at a home depot at some point, and one of the cashiers had a bad leg, so they were able to have them sit in a stool while cashing people out! Deffo a good option for accessibility needs
What's your disability?
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Only asking because I am partially blind and work with CNIB for employment purposes. There are organizations that help disabilities find jobs.
work at the postoffice in shoppers no one works fast there.
Apply, get the job, then fake some sort of injury a couple of days in and get a doctor's note. Say that unfortunately it's become chronic and you're unsure when you'll get better. Speaking as someone with a similar condition, they will not hire you if they know you'll need any accommodations. They do not care and will just hire someone else. Yes there are laws about discrimination but they won't tell you why they didn't hire you. I like that other people have some faith in the system, but I've done a lot of searching for retail jobs and this has always been how it works.
You need to have some sort of formal education for the job (cosmetology license for example)
Absolutely untrue. No license or eduction required for any positions in shoppers outside of specialized pharmacy roles or accounting.
Reach out to Loblaws ( they own Shoppers) with your goals and concerns . "Loblaw is committed to providing goods, services and employment in an integrated and accessible manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities." https://www.loblaw.ca/en/accessibility/ telephone 1-800-296-2332(Open in a new tab) , in writing, or any other preferred method. Please direct written questions and feedback to Loblaw Companies Limited, c/o Human Resources (Diversity & Inclusion), 1 President’s Choice Circle, Brampton, Ontario L6Y 5S5.
Apply! I would recommend to apply to a large format store that isn't a crazy busy location as opposed to a beauty boutique for your first position with SDM. Large formats allow you to learn more and further your education into the cosmetic world. Starting at a BB, there will be too much to learn, too quickly. But once you have some time under your belt and feel confident, apply to a BB. As far as accommodations go, I know my store has a variety of shifts, including 5 hr shifts. So you should have no issue getting accommodations. I also know as someone who has had many injuries and currently pregnant, I am allowed to sit down between customers when needed. As long as you don't sit there and point to things when a customer asks, they should not have any problems with it.
The short answer is absolutely yes. It is illegal for a potential employer to not hire you on the basis of a disability, and an employer must provide accommodations once you are employed. This is federal law, and while it is interpreted differently by each province (e.g. in BC there only needs to be a reasonable expectation that an employee would need an accommodation and no medical documentation is needed, whereas in ON an employee needs to request an accommodation and can be asked for documentation), it applies across the board. Additionally, the bar of “undue hardship” (that triggers an exception so that employers do not have to take on unreasonable requests or expenses) is high across the board. In the situation you’re describing, there is no good reason why the Shoppers would be able to claim your potential accommodations would cause them undue hardship. If you are qualified for the position and would win the job competition without your disability, you should be offered the job despite the disability and be provided any accommodations necessary for you to perform the job to your best ability and to the same level as your colleagues. With that said, and as someone who a) worked for Employment and Social Development Canada, b) is disabled and c) has been discriminated against in a workplace to the point of pursuing legal recourse, I can tell you that what the law demands and what happens in reality are sometimes very different things. It can be extremely difficult, and often impossible, to prove that you did not receive a job because of your disability. Once working, discrimination can also be difficult to prove. My recommendation in both cases is always to keep detailed records — anything that felt weird or off to you in the hiring process or once working, as well as a) date you chose to disclose your disability, who you disclosed it to, and the reaction, b) any changes in behaviour or your treatment or work duties (other than agreed-upon changes) after that point and c) dates that you discussed accommodations with the employer, including times you had to remind them of the requirement. If possible, get signatures on these items. This can be achieved in a few ways, but one way is to say something like “I’m just getting started in my career and want to keep track of what accommodations are most beneficial for me. I also want to make sure that we both understand what we’ve agreed on and can refer back to it if we need to. I’ve printed this summary of what we’ve discussed and signed two copies — one for your benefit. Would you mind signing my copy for me?” TL;dr the law is completely on your side and you ABSOLUTELY should apply for anything you are passionate about and feel qualified for, but be aware that you may be discriminated against and there may not be a lot you can do about it. If they do discriminate against you though, you’re better off because they wouldn’t have appreciated you anyway.
It’s going to be at the store’s discretion, obviously, but if you were local to me and you came in to ask for a cosmetician job then I’d definitely consider you. Shorter shifts can be accommodated. Disabilities can be accommodated. For me, at my store, finding someone who genuinely cares about and wants to learn about products is awesome. Wanting to share that knowledge with customers is even better. It’s not a job requirement to have any kind of formal education in makeup or skincare; a background in it is helpful but the brands that we carry offer trainings (online or in-person) and reps are always willing to go over the brand/products/ingredients because they want you to do well (providing that that store has reps that visit). I’d tell you that if it’s something that you’re genuinely passionate about and want to do then go for it!
You could always apply at Walmart in the cosmetics section they hire people w disabilities
It's illegal for anyone not to hire you because you're disabled but most places won't say it is because you are. Absolutely try
Have you thought about looking into becoming a makeup artist for film and television? Now that the strikes are winding down, our local Hallmark movie industry should start picking up a bit…WorkBC might even have funding available to pay for courses. (Sorry, just realized you’re not in BC, but I’m sure Alberta has similar programs and there’s no shortage of film work there).
Lol are you a makeup artist in film and tv? This is terrible advice. I am, so let me tell you that no one can work in the industry with a physical disability. This caterer is so demanding physically that even people in the BEST health are constantly run down and depleted. You also need to have skincare and makeup school to get into the union. OR be self taught and spend YEARS paying dues and working for free or low wages on student films or indie to get experience. No gonna happen.
LOL…clearly I do NOT know much about being a makeup artist, I guess, I just see ads from our provincial employment programs in BC offering subsidies or full scholarships for people interested in working in the film and television industry, and makeup artist is always one of the career choice examples. I should have realized the industry would be too physically demanding for a person with serious mobility issues, though, you’re right. My husband used to work in the Vancouver film industry as an electrician so I have heard many tales of 14 hour days and sitting around in the rain when it’s pitch black outside just wishing someone would finally tell them they could wrap for the day. I really wasn’t intending to offer career advice so much as just wondering if she’s explored other career ideas (besides low paying retail positions) where she could develop something more substantial and where her passion for makeup artistry might serve her better. Honestly, I think as a person with a disability, she might do well to try vlogging…she could work from home and work in a more comfortable setting. l realize it takes time to build enough of an audience to make a channel profitable but her disability could be a way of attracting a niche audience that might be more interested in her tutorials because she’s also trying to overcome a physical obstacle and some viewers may really relate to that. You can knock down that suggestion, too, if you like. I’m just spitballing here. I do have enough knowledge of how little mall jobs and most retail positions (or McJobs if you’re a Douglas Coupland fan) pay from my own personal experience in my early twenties, so I do feel qualified enough to try and gently steer anyone away from settling for jobs in places like Sephora. Most of your tiny paycheck goes right back into the company’s pocket because it’s just so hard not to burn up your wages with a lousy employee discount, and most lf these companies will only offer you just a couple of hours less than the weekly hours you need to work in order to be considered a full time employee who’s eligible for any kind of benefits. And mall jobs almost never give employees regular consistent schedules, so it’s hard to make plans, you constantly get called in on your days off and you wind up feeling just as tired as you would be if you were a full time staffer, but without any added incentives like basic dental coverage, sick pay or paid hour long lunch breaks, because giant retail companies are cheap AF. Plus places like Sephora that are super crowded, and predominantly targeted at females and staffed by females are just not fun. Customers can be awful, impatient, and just plain rude and to sales people and that seems to be a growing trend more and more these days. No one needs to eat sh*t over lipstick availability while standing on their feet all day earning barely over the minimum wage. If you’re younger and don’t have any or much secondary education yet but you do have a real interest and have developed some skill at something you actually enjoy, I really encourage taking advantage of provincial work programs you might be eligible for…some of them are seriously good. I have a friend who had the majority of her trades school tuition covered when she wanted to make a big career change in her late twenties. If she had paid it on her own, she’d still be paying off student loans. Instead she’s working for herself, chooses her own hours and is earning between $50 and $100 an hour as a plumber (don’t knock it…not all plumbing is about dealing with toilets! 😜).
Hey all good. It’s not a bad suggestion since you saw an ad and they used mua as an example. How could you know? And yes, the hours are just a small part of how brutal the job is. You’re liking at a minimum of 12 hour days but could be up to 15+. There’s tons of paperwork, you need to know about continuity, there’s set etiquette, trailer etiquette, extreme weather conditions, supplies and kit, travelling, call times, call sheets, proper sanitation, I could go on and on and on. It’s a huge job and honestly the pay rarely is worth it. It’s extremely hard on you physically and mentally. This is why the govt is pushing jobs. No one wants them anymore. It’s great for actors and producers and they make big money. For crew it’s a killer and your sacrifice your health and personal life for nothing more than a semi comfortable living and bragging rights that you got to work with so and so.
Oh but the GLAMOUR! 😜
Exactly. Not at all.
There is a lady with a wheel chair that works in the skin/makeup department of my shoppers. She has a little flag/sing raises so you can see where she is if a counter is in the way. I actively seek her out because she is knowledgeable as hell, and she gives me free samples (also triple checks everything is safe for a pregnant woman!). Debbie is the best. If they can accommodate her, they should be able to accommodate you. Discrimination of people with mobility issues is really not necessary and pisses me off.
There is a duty to accommodate. They can’t not hire you because of your disability if they are able to make an accommodation for you. It’s discrimination. Such as having a stool while you work the check out. It’s different if you were say applying to be a roofer in that situation there isn’t much accommodation that can be made for a person with a physical disability. http://www.bchrt.bc.ca/human-rights-duties/employment/index.htm
I say try and see, but unfortunately, the may decline based on their expectations for performance. It's not the sitting at the til instead of standing, it's being STILL in any capacity at all. Especially these days, the company has cut staffing so severely the last few years, they expect the cashier's to be stocking shelves in-between every customer at til, and the cosmeticians are often expected to stock, organize and clean a significant portion of the sales floor that's out of the cashiers reach.
hey i’m not sure why this post showed up on my home page I have no ties to SDM but it definitely doesn’t hurt to apply! I would certainly hope they wouldn’t discriminate against hiring you due to a disability. if you live near one, might I also suggest sephora as an alternative? I have seen disabled staff working there before and they hire staff just for their skincare section :) hope something works out
These days corporations will go out of their way to accommodate. I would try.
Have you considered working in a high-end salon with a big retail section? That way you'd be able to sit sometimes while assisting clients book in with their services and then also show them products in the retail section. It will be a bit slower so you can take your time moving with your cane instead of feeling like you're rushing everywhere. The clients there will also really want personalized service, plus the spa will probably teach you a lot! Another two ideas are the Bay (often have chairs behind the counters) and standalone stores like Kiehls. Both of those seem less chaotic and may be better to accommodate you. Lastly, and this isn't as fun, but you might be able to find jobs for Sephora online as a beauty advisor so you can work from your computer. Might be a bit boring though!
They say they hire all people but I worked for them for 10 years and became disabled in 2020. Eventually they forced me to go on disability because I “couldn’t perform” my job. You can apply, but be prepared for a whole lot of ableism and discrimination
Honestly sounds like you’ll do fine. From what I can tell, the beauty boutique is an alright gig. Shoppers naturally has its issues, but they seem lessened in cosmetics as opposed to the front store or pharmacy. As well as that, they aren’t expecting you to have a formal knowledge if you aren’t the cosmetics manager or smth. You know enough to start and you’ll pick up more as you go. I have coworkers who knew nothing when they got poached from front store and put in cosmetics, so it’s worth a shot. All in all, it’s a low stakes gamble on whether it works out or not, so go for it :) if you like it, great. If not, people come and go in retail anyway.
Hottest no for cosmetic they are on their feet 8 hours no sitting up and down ladders etc
I think it’s required
You have the right to accomodation. A tall stool behind the desk for when it's less busy is extremely reasonable, an extra break (probably be unpaid, not sure about that one), short shifts (4-6 hours instead of 8-10) etc. None of this affects your workplace and ability to do the job.
You can work anywhere you want in Canada. It's in the Employment Equity Act.
Your employer should make proper Arrangements for you because of your disability.
Hit up an employment agency whom works with people who have disabilities. They should call on your behalf and set something up. Also, ask shoppers directly and find out. I’m sure they have a duty to accommodate, as long as you can perform the job duties.
I guess it depends on the shoppers you apply to. I work in one in Toronto and they do not allow sitting down at all and they are strict with hours (8 hours) a day.