1/ Hello Stéphane Martin, how long have you been working at SIG and how did you hear about us?
- I have been working with you for about 20 years! At that time it was MS. I was hired by SIG through a shop or a salesman for merchandise assignments!
2/ How often and on what type of missions do you work for SIG?
- Very regularly because I work at least once a week for You! It is on the merchandising activity that I started and for which I am entrusted the most missions! I also carry out sales events and also missions as a Sales Promoter, in particular POS POS commandos when there is an opportunity!
3/ As you know, SIG is committed to the employment of disabled workers. Can you tell us about your disability and what steps you have taken to declare yourself?
- I have what is called in medical terms agenesis of the left hand. In other words, my left hand and forearm have not developed, so I only have 5 fingers instead of 10!
- As far as the administrative procedures are concerned, I first of all made a declaration to the social security bodies and then to SIG when I started working with them. Then I had to visit my GP and then meet a medical adviser so that the file could be validated and accepted; every 5 years you have to have a new medical check-up with your GP to renew the file.
4/ Can you explain how you adapt it in your daily life, especially during your missions for SIG in the different shops?
- To tell the truth, I don't think about it systematically and it comes naturally as I was born with it! For example, I have the same type of car as anyone else... and as far as my daily work is concerned, I have always found solutions to adapt myself even for the most complex tasks. Sometimes some people don't even realise it... and even if they do, I've never had any inappropriate or embarrassing remarks in the shop from department heads or sales people.
5/ Do you consider that your disability can be a hindrance in your work?
- When I arrive in a shop and depending on the task to be accomplished, it may seem that I will not be able to carry out certain very meticulous tasks or those that require me to carry very heavy loads, but as I have said, I adapt as best I can to all these constraints and to the situation at hand (without needing any particular adaptations), so that, in the end, the people in the shops are satisfied with my work.
- Finally, in our sector of activity, we very often work or accept assignments by telephone or e-mail and not by a physical interview: for all these reasons, I don't consider that my disability can be a hindrance... even if I have the feeling that sometimes it can still close certain doors: that's why I admit it, I don't systematically specify it on my CV!
6/ How do you see your professional future?
- You know, I'm already 50 years old, so I don't think I'll be doing much more than that. The work and the missions I do and that are entrusted to me by SIG suit me perfectly insofar as I like to move around, go out into the field, meet people and carry out diversified missions because of our many clients.
- Of course, if a professional opportunity presents itself to me, I will not refuse it.
7/ What do you think of the communication made by SIG on the theme of disability?
- I appreciate the communication and work that has been done by the SIG HR department. I found the welcome booklet "SIG is committed to disability" that I received very complete and clear! Moreover, the fact that it deals with this subject with a touch of humour is very welcome and helps to "play down" this situation but also to draw the reader's attention to this subject which should no longer be taboo!
- Without doing more, I think it is important to continue to communicate easily on this subject to employees in the spaces and communication tools provided for this purpose, particularly in the COLLABORATOR space!
8/ What message would you like to send to employees who have not yet or would not dare to take the step of declaring themselves as disabled workers?
- Being recognised as a disabled worker is not a handicap! We live with it every day: in some cases, it is not even visible and it does not necessarily prevent us from carrying out a professional activity, quite the contrary!
Thank you very much, Stéphane, for agreeing to take part in this interview and for telling us about yourself through this theme which is very important to us at SIG.
Thank you for letting me speak on this subject which is also very close to my heart! and a final message to my fellow merchandisers or promoters: "if you are recognised by the MDPH: don't be ashamed to declare yourself to your GIS contacts!
