Join host Corrie Melanson for a thought-provoking conversation with Erika Shea, Executive Director of New Dawn Enterprises, as they explore how one of Cape Breton’s largest community-centred employers is reimagining accessible recruitment and hiring, from the job posting to the first day and beyond.

With over 200 staff across 17 nonprofit entities, New Dawn doesn’t just fill roles; it builds community. Erika shares how the organisation has moved beyond inherited hiring norms to create processes that are transparent, flexible, and deeply human.

Key topics include:

• Why posting salary and benefits upfront attracts the right candidates, and builds trust from day one
• How a 32-hour work week with full-time pay supports whole lives, not just productivity
• The power of sending interview questions in advance and why interviews shouldn’t feel like pop quizzes
• Creating low-stakes, ongoing conversations about neurodivergence, disability, and what people need to thrive
• Why the interview itself is your first chance to show your culture, and how small gestures make a big difference
• Moving from shame to safety: how openness about disability strengthens teams and trust

Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or simply believe work should work for everyone, this episode is full of actionable ideas and refreshing honesty about building hiring practices that are not only accessible but truly welcoming.

Ready to rethink recruitment? Listen now.