• Contract packaging/assembly work at our sites;

• Teams of our employees who work at your site with on-site supervision by our staff; and

• Qualified and trained candidates for employment at your business.

Contract Packaging and Assembly at an Opportunity Partners site

Can Opportunity Partners handle complex jobs?

We staff the project to meet our customers’ requirements for quality and deadlines. Whenever possible, our workers with disabilities will do the work, but we have other, non-disabled workers who perform tasks that require other specialized skills.

What other services do you offer?

We offer our customers a wide range of additional services, including logistics, warehousing, and real-time reports on inventory.

How do you price contract work?

Our prices are competitive with any other outsource vendor or staffing agency. Contact a sales representative for a bid.

How are your workers with disabilities paid?

The people with disabilities who work on contract jobs at Opportunity Partners are paid for productivity, so if they produce half as much as the standard, they receive half the prevailing hourly wage. The price for our customers does not change. All wages meet U.S. Department of Labor (Fair Labor Standards Act) guidelines.

What kinds of packaging and assembly work do you do?

We provide multiple package capabilities such as blister packaging, shrink wrapping and skin packaging. We also provide automated counting, die cutting, heat sealing and more. In addition, we provide customized pricing (by project or by piece), handle purchasing and fulfillment, inventory control, warehousing, shipping, reverse logistics and scheduling.

Contract Staffing with Opportunity Partners

How do you charge for contract staffing when a team does the work?

The cost is competitive with any other contract staffing arrangement. Our fee is based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) workers needed to complete the job. If persons with disabilities work as a team on an assignment, they are paid by Opportunity Partners based on their individual productivity. The cost to our customer does not change. Wages comply with the U.S. Department of Labor regulations (Fair Labor Standards Act).

How do workers get to and from my place of business?

Opportunity Partners guarantees that the team will be at your site. We provide transportation.

What liability does my company have for workers compensation on the job if we contract with Opportunity Partners?

The team members are Opportunity Partners employees, so Opportunity Partners carries workers compensation insurance for them.

Hiring a Person with Disabilities through Opportunity Partners

I’m generous and open-minded, but I have a business to run. Why does Opportunity Partners make business sense?

Our clients are eager, reliable workers. Employers tell us they save time and money due to lower turnover, and they like our job developers who are adept at screening qualified candidates. We have a business to run, too, and we want you to hire someone who is the best fit for the job.

What are the limitations?

Each individual is unique. Some need one-on-one support (provided by Opportunity Partners, not the employer, at no extra cost to the employer). Others drive cars, are self-sufficient and need almost no additional work support.

What about punctuality and attendance?

People with disabilities and other employment barriers desire to perform at a high standard and are typically more punctual and reliable than other workers.

Do the workers have special needs?

If an applicant needs an accommodation, it is usually a minor, low-cost adjustment similar to what employers already do under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Simple adjustments might include: using black ink instead of blue, which isn’t as visible, applying a clear “bump” dot to a button on machinery, establishing a set break time, or helping punch a time card. Opportunity Partners workers may also have their own special tools such as a talking watch or color-coded instruction card. If any special accommodation is needed that a business wouldn’t provide other employees, Opportunity Partners staff will provide it.

How will they fit in with the rest of my workforce?

Just like any new employee you would hire. Opportunity Partners offers Disability Awareness Training if you and your employees want to resolve any hesitancy you have about working with people with disabilities. Usually apprehension subsides after coworkers become knowledgeable about social interactions. (e.g., “Is it okay to ask about her leg brace? Should I hold the door open for him?”) We all want to do the right thing.

Does Opportunity Partners provide someone as a supervisor or go-between?

Yes, we have skilled job coaches who serve as liaisons between your training and the applicant's learning. They stay in touch with you and can help accommodate any changes you might have in the work environment.

How self-sufficient is an Opportunity Partners worker?

We place clients who are able to work in the community with the same level of supervision provided to other employees. Any special accommodations that the Opportunity Partners client needs to work independently are provided by Opportunity Partners.

How does an Opportunity Partners worker get to and from work?

Just like any other worker, some may ride a bus, others drive their own car. If other transportation is needed, Opportunity Partners provides it.

Can they work independently for an extended period?

Yes, just like any other employee.

My staffing budget is tight. Is there a way that I can contract with Opportunity Partners so I don’t have to issue the paychecks?

Yes, we can contract with you so that Opportunity Partners is the paying agent. You would remain the employee’s supervisor but the paycheck would come from Opportunity Partners.

What if I can’t assess what their skill level will be? Is there a way for an applicant to “try out” the job?

Yes, we can do an on-the-job hire at no cost to you. Applicants can work for up to four hours to show you their skills and Opportunity Partners will pay them for their time. You can make a hiring decision after you’ve seen the person in action.

What can I expect when I hire an Opportunity Partners applicant?

A qualified individual who is eager to work. An Opportunity Partners job developer will work with you to make sure the applicant is qualified for the job, and a job coach will help the employee learn on-the-job skills.