Positive example

How inclusion can work in the workplace

Viola Reuther (left) and Verena Kulterer (right) got to know each other through the "ChancenForum".

(Bild: Katzencafe)

Carinthia leads the way in Austria when it comes to occupational inclusion - around a third of the companies in our province already employ people with disabilities. The "Krone" brings a positive example in front of the curtain.

Viola Reuther, a 35-year-old from Klagenfurt, found her way to her current job via autArK's "ChancenForum" and is now a permanent member of the team: "I started an apprenticeship as a hairdresser before that, but I didn't like it," says Reuther in the "Krone" interview. Because finding a job turned out to be difficult, she joined the "ChancenForum", a program that aims to promote inclusion in the workplace.

The interaction is very friendly - I've been working at the Katzencafe for almost six years.

Viola Reuther (35) aus Klagenfurt

"For the first three years, Viola worked 19 hours a week for me - she was insured and paid by autArK," explains Verena Kulterer, manager of Katzencafe in Klagenfurt, where Viola has been working as a catering employee for almost six years now. "After I got to know her, I wanted to give it a try - of course, as an entrepreneur, I also had to think about how I could best integrate Viola into my company," says Kulterer. The regular discussions with the autArK supervisors and assistants also helped.

Viola particularly enjoys working in the service department.

(Bild: Katzencafe)

Takeover at the end of the term
The 35-year-old feels well received in the café and in the team: "The interaction with each other is very friendly," says Reuther, who mainly works in service and has increased her work performance to such an extent that she was eventually taken on: "After three years, there is no obligation to take her on from the program, but because Viola has always been an asset to us, I hired her myself after the end of the term," says the restaurateur proudly.

In general, she advises all entrepreneurs to embrace inclusion in their own business: "This leads to a rethink in the company, you become more flexible and let go of strict structures."