Trafford man who Has Down’s Syndrome Reaches Employment Milestone at Local Law Firm

Local Stretford and Urmston MP, Andrew Western, paid a recent visit to HCC Solicitors to help a much-valued employee dubbed ‘Mr Positive’ by his colleagues celebrate a job milestone.

Bilal Khan, who has Down’s syndrome, has just completed nine successful years in his job at the award-winning law firm, based in Stretford.

The role was facilitated by WorkFit – the programme run by the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) which supports people who have Down’s syndrome find employment opportunities and to train employers how to support employees so that their experience in the workplace is meaningful and rewarding. WorkFit recently celebrated placing its 1,000th candidate in employment since the programme launched in December 2011.

As Facilities Assistant, Bilal’s important role is ensuring post is collected and delivered and creating document files which are in high demand and used across the firm. He says he loves his job and feels ‘happy and proud’ to be part of the team.

Bilal has been described as an asset for the HCC team and has been praised by bosses and colleagues for his ‘incredible work ethic’ and ‘great sense of humour’, which has brought energy and positivity to their workplace. Outside of work, Bilal recently got married – an event which he celebrated with his colleagues.

MP Andrew Western accepted an invitation to meet Bilal and help celebrate his anniversary. He congratulated Bilal on the success of his earlier bake sale where Bilal raised funds for the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Said Mr Western during his visit: ‘Congratulations on your nine years at HCC Bilal, you must be very proud. It’s clear that you are a very popular member of the team here.’

Before Bilal started his role at HCC, staff received free sessions of WorkFit Employer Training from the DSA to provide them with key information on how to employ someone who has Down’s syndrome and how best to support them to succeed in the workplace. Staff said the training gave the team a sound foundation of knowledge and boosted their confidence in hiring an employee who has Down’s syndrome.

Bilal has gone from strength to strength in his role at HCC and his interaction with work and the extent to which colleagues have embraced him as a valued team member has undoubtedly given him skills and confidence to take into his life outside of work.

HCC first partnered with WorkFit in 2017 saying they hoped that their example would help to ‘de-mystify’ working with people who have Down’s syndrome and encourage more employers to see what ‘a valuable contribution people with the condition can make to a business.’

Says David Hickey, Operations Manager, from HCC Solicitors: ‘Bilal is a joy to work with, and his attendance in the office is something I, and his colleagues, look forward to. This is due to Bilal’s personality – always happy, wanting to speak to everyone, enquiring as to the wellbeing of colleagues, and excited to tell us about his week. Bilal always works hard and carries out his responsibilities to a high standard. Bilal is happy to perform any task requested of him, offers to provide further assistance, and never allows anything to prevent him from try to develop himself – these competencies explain why he has been with us for 9 years. Congratulations again on this milestone Bilal.’

Says Janine Turner, HR and Operations Manager, from HCC Solicitors: ‘It really is a pleasure to have Bilal as part of our team.  He works hard in his job, but his contribution goes far beyond that.  Bilal is a joy to have in the office; he is often known to colleagues as being Mr Positive, and he never fails to make us smile and laugh with some of his quick-witted comments.  Life in the office is always brighter when Bilal is working, and he means such a lot not just to his own team, but to those in the Manchester office as a whole.  He is very much a part of the HCC family, and we hope he will remain so for a long time to come.’

Said Bilal after his work anniversary and meeting Mr Western: ‘I’m very happy, I’m proud of nine years’.

Alison Thwaite, Head of Employment Services at the Down’s Syndrome Association, shared her sense of pride in watching Bilal thrive at HCC, saying: ‘Bilal is the perfect example of what can be achieved when employers make a genuine commitment to inclusivity in the workplace. It’s wonderful to see Bilal achieve a real sense of accomplishment and belonging at HCC, and we are grateful to Mr Western for making his work anniversary so special.

‘Bilal’s success is largely down to his hard work and positive approach but also to everyone at the firm who are clearly passionate and committed to WorkFit’s ethos. Finding that dream role can be challenging for anyone in the current competitive market, but for jobseekers with additional needs, the barriers to employment can feel more daunting, but every day we see many more follow the example of Bilal and HCC and enjoy the many benefits of inclusive recruitment.’

WorkFit supports people with Down’s syndrome to access meaningful work opportunities that can benefit the rest of their lives. Potential candidates or employers can find more information about WorkFit by contacting the team on 0333 12 12 300 or email on dsworkfit@downs-syndrome.org.uk