Thanks to the initiative of one of its managers, the IKEA store in Quebec has recruited about fifteen Ukrainian refugees both for the cause and also to meet its crying labor needs.

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It was through a former colleague of Ukrainian origin who offered to put her in contact with refugees that Isabelle Lemieux, People and Culture Director at IKEA in Quebec City, embarked on the adventure.

“Word of mouth did the rest. People now come to see us every day, ”explains the one who recruited five Ukrainians at the end of May, and a dozen others recently.

“We are in advance very prodiversity and inclusion. We have people who are deaf or autistic,” adds Ms. Lemieux.

IKEA Quebec offers a 12-month integration program that includes on-site francization courses and schedule accommodations.

“You have to be understanding. For example, with a mother having to bring a child to school who is coming out of a war situation while the father is still at the front,” notes Ms. Lemieux.

rapid ascent

But for a Ukrainian, the 12-month program was 11 too many.

“She spoke very good English. I only received good comments about her and she progressed very quickly. She has had two interviews and has already been promoted to a desk position, within a month. It's fascinating ! She is now in full-time francization because she wants to learn French as soon as possible. I have a great interest in accommodating it, ”says Ms. Lemieux, who speaks of her colleague as a rare pearl.

Employees also responded to management's call and offered temporary accommodation and transportation to newcomers, as the area is not well served by public transit. Moreover, Ms. Lemieux identifies transportation as the main obstacle when hiring these refugees.

Asked if she was satisfied with the work of her new employees, Ms. Lemieux simply replied: “we are at 15 and I have others in the pipeline! »

“They are extraordinary, they are hardworking,” she continues. They have an exceptional ability to adapt. They are examples to follow. »

Understanding colleagues

The leader adds that a chemistry has already been established with the workers in place.

“Our (other) employees are also role models. A young Ukrainian who lived far away joined the night shift. A group mobilized to transport him. They then helped him find a car, found him an apartment and helped him move. This is IKEA,” she concludes.

Hard to find jobs

Despite the example of IKEA, the path to finding a job in Quebec is not easy for all Ukrainian refugees.

Inna Zamfir, a regionalization advisor at SOIT, an organization that helps immigrants integrate into the labor market, regularly accompanies Ukrainians trying to rebuild their lives here.

“Large companies may have more means and resources for francization, but small ones are not ready to do so or to be flexible with schedules. People want turnkey, a Ukrainian who speaks French, ”she testifies.

“I took the test with a 27-year-old Ukrainian who speaks five languages ​​and understands French,” she continues. I took her to Laurier Quebec. Of course, in several stores, it's only direct contact with customers, but even with the biggest ones where there is the possibility of tidying up, nobody wanted it or I was told to apply online. »

Normal reaction

Same problem with a 74-year-old man she describes as fit and wanting to work.

“We went to grocery stores. He is able to put tomatoes on shelves. We were told the manager was away or to fill out a form. However, I did not feel the urgency to find employees,” says Ms. Zamfir.

However, it does not condemn these companies.

"They answer me, I'm in short supply, I'm running out of time. I understand them. These people are already working 60 to 90 hours a week,” she concedes.

She believes that those most likely to hire refugees are often janitorial companies or laundries.

“But when they are night jobs, it penalizes them. How can they learn French? Finding francization is also another challenge,” she says.

Transport, a problem

However, at a time when the provincial government wants to invest massively in an intershore link between Quebec and Lévis, and when in Quebec itself a group is trying to stop the tramway project, Ms. Zamfir identifies public transit as the main brake employed by Ukrainians. She thus joins the opinion of Isabelle Lemieux of IKEA.

“My 74-year-old gentleman is a heavy machinery mechanic, but the interested companies or even the large hardware stores are too far away and not served by buses. In one of the companies visited, we would have hired him on the spot, but he cannot go there”, regrets Ms. Zamfir