All the World’s a Stage – But Not Everyone’s Supposed to Be On It

"All the world’s a stage,” wrote Shakespeare, and for Employment Services, it’s a fitting metaphor. But too often, Employment Service staff are tripping over each other on that stage - along with job seekers and employers - in a scramble to hit funding targets. This confusion overshadows the very people and purpose the program is meant to serve. It’s time to refocus and let the real stars of the show shine.

What Might This Tripping Look Like on the Employment Service Stage?

• Employers are exposed to details they should never see, such as how clients are streamed (A, B, and C) and personal details like disability, criminal history, source of income, and/or mental health issues. Employers wouldn’t know such things about anyone else applying for a job—and they may only be relevant for specific roles (bona fide occupational requirements). This undermines trust, disrupts the hiring process, and can cause serious harm to both job seekers and employers by exposing unnecessary and potentially damaging information.

• Too many staff contacting the same employer—Employment Counsellors, Job Developers, and Job Coaches—sometimes without even realizing it. This creates chaos, making the process harder and more confusing for employers and job seekers alike. What’s missing is a "director," someone responsible for coordinating the process, ensuring the right people step in at the right time, and making everything appear effortless.

• Employers and clients caught in the middle of service provider obligations: Newly employed clients are told they’ll be reported to their employer for being irresponsible if they don’t share their paystub. A resume and job order must be posted on the Employment Service job board, and a wage subsidy must be taken—even if the employer doesn’t want or need them. These practices leave employers and clients wondering, "What’s going on here—and why is this my problem?"

---

The Solution

Employment Counsellors, Job Developers and Job Coaches are the backstage crew—critical but not meant to take centre stage. A strong 'director' ensures the right people step in at the right moment, supporting and connecting job seekers and employers. When Employment Services function like a well-rehearsed production, the results speak for themselves: employers are satisfied, job seekers are hired, and the organization achieves its goals without friction.

---

What’s Your Role?

Are you exposing the backstage and unintentionally stepping into the spotlight, or are you adding value to the hiring and employment retention process? Let’s work together to create performances that leave everyone applauding.