Top 10 Tips for Breaking the Ice When You're a New Employee With a Disability

Summary:
What can you, as a new employee with a disability, do to break the ice and blend in with your co-workers at a new job? Here are the top 10 suggestions from the members of eSight Careers Network.

Suggestions for the New Employee

For Further Information: eSight Articles About This Issue

For Further Information: Resources Outside of eSight


Suggestions for the New Employee

1. "Observe who generally helps other people at work and gravitate toward that person because quite often that's the person who is open to friendships with people who are 'different' from themselves. You could end up with some fantastic friendships."
   - Marcie
   
   
2. "Form some sort of bond with a co-worker and have that co-worker serve as the icebreaker. By appearing acceptable to someone who is part of the norm helps you also to slowly become part of the mix."
   - Mike
   
   
3. "Attempt to do your networking one step at a time and with patience and humor; keeping your mouth shut (difficult for me) and your ears open is helpful. And it is critical that you are seen as pulling your weight. View this process as a marathon, not a sprint."
   - Peter
   
   
4. "Be matter of fact about your disability, but don't focus on it. Understand that your new co-workers are probably facing their first overtly disabled person ever and be understanding and gentle with their gaffes at first."
   - Nan
   
   
5. "Familiarize yourself with the building and go around and introduce yourself; don't wait for them to come to you."
   - Becky
   
   
6. "Use a little self-deprecating humor so that people aren't feeling like they have to walk on eggshells around you."
   - Liz
   
   
7. "Come to work with confidence and a smile. Greet everyone. Listen and figure out what you have in common with each person you work closely with."
   - Saoui
   
   
8. "Get primal -- bring food! You can always get to people through their bellies!"
   - Trish
   
   
9. "Forge one-on-one relationships with members of the group. That hopefully, over time, will make it easier to blend into the group."
   - Peter
   
   
10. "Be yourself and not try to fit a mold of what you think others expect. Some people will be comfortable around you after a little while, and some won't no matter what you do."
    - Becky

For Further Information: eSight Articles About This Issue

Share the Load: You Don't Have to Be the Weakest Link Due to Your Disability offers this tip about how to gain the confidence of your supervisor and co-workers: Make sure they see your willingness to share the load as an equal member of the team.

Straight Talk: What to Say to Co-workers About Your Disability provides top suggestions for discussing your disability with your new co-workers.

Using Humor in the Workplace to Break Down Disability Barriers shows how individuals are using the right kind of humor about themselves and their disability to become full participants in today's workplace.


For Further Information: Resources Outside of eSight

10 Tips for Getting Along With People at Work

Guide to Reasonable Accommodations

Managing the Stress of Workplace Change

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