Giant Eagle Earns National Honor for Inclusive Workforce

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is being recognized for its commitment to hiring people with intellectual and development disabilities. 

The Pittsburgh-based retailer recently earned a Catalyst award as the Regional Business Employer of the Year by The Arc, who honored Giant Eagle not only for its hiring processes, but supporting the employees to thrive in a variety of positions throughout its 423 locations.

Giant Eagle has stores throughout western Pennsylvania, north central Ohio, northern West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. It is the operator of GetGo convenience stores.

"As a company that is dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment, we have taken great strides in expanding employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities," said Jeremy Shapira, who oversees special projects in inclusion and diversity for Giant Eagle. 

"We are honored to have this commitment recognized by The Arc, but even more so to help this community of hard-working, committed individuals succeed in the workforce," he added.

The Catalyst awards, Shapira continued, "give us an opportunity to honor like-minded leaders in fields both inside and outside of the traditional disability community, who are helping to promote and protect the human rights of people with disabilities."

According to The Arc's CEO Peter Berns, Catalyst honorees "do not just align with The Arc's mission, they are helping to expand it to new audiences."

"They are each change agents in their respective fields, and their work is helping to create a future that is more inclusive for people with disabilities. We are grateful for their contributions and hope that by honoring their work, we will inspire and empower others to follow in their footsteps," he said.

Giant Eagle also has disability awareness training for its team members, which includes a review of the Americans with Disabilities Act, interviewing skills for hiring people with disabilities, and disability simulations. 

Additionally, Giant Eagle is focused on expanding its "Liaison" project with its community partners ACHIEVA, Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services, New Avenues to Independence and Goodwill. In this project, outside job coaches are embedded into the company to help facilitate hiring and retaining more people with disabilities. Each of Giant Eagle's major markets has at least one Liaison.