Rizzo's Restaurant Believes In A Second Chance

Philip Beal believes that everyone, even people who are having problems with drug or alcohol abuse, deserves a chance to become a productive member of society. In fact, he has given that chance to many people who might otherwise have dropped out of society but who, with his help, have come to hold key positions as employees at two of his Rizzo's restaurants in Philadelphia.

In addition to running two restaurants, which employ 110 people and which leave him precious little spare time, Beal is president of an organization called PECORA (Private Employers Council on Reemployment Assistance). PECORA, composed of businessmen, community leaders and several big corporate sponsors, is a nonprofit, private organization formed for the purpose of putting back into Philadelphia's work force recovering drug and alcohol users. Upon entering treatment, 80 percent of these recovering addicts are unemployed. PECORA's program pre-approves applicants for potential hire, requiring that they be drug or alcohol free for at least 90 days before they are offered employment.

Beal got involved in the program six years ago when a long-time friend, Rich Montgomery, called on him for a favor. Montgomery, who works for the Department of Labor and Industry for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was seeking jobs for people who were temporarily displaced and unemployed because of previous problems with drugs and alcohol. Employers who hire recovering substance abusers receive tax incentives from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government-and they get an opportunity to provide a second chance to someone who is willing to work. Montgomery knew that Beal offered potential employees a place to work, but more importantly, he knew Beal cared about people.

Beal's caring approach is illustrated in the example of a former worker who had been with Rizzo's for 18 years before leaving for another job. When the worker, who had come to hold a principal position at Rizzo's, lost his new position, Beal soon suspected that an alcohol problem was the culprit. He took his former worker and friend to get counseling and eventually offered him a full-time job with a full benefits package if he would agree to enroll in a rehabilitation program at Miremount Center. The center provides an important link between Beal and employees undergoing rehabilitation for substance abuse problems. Not only did Beal offer the worker a full-time job, he also provided help to his family during this period. His intervention paid off. After only 28 days, the employee was back at work and has recovered his self esteem, his family and his future.

Beal has proved the merit of what PECORA seeks to accomplish in the caring attitude he fosters in his own workplace. He currently has eight employees recovering from substance abuse problems working for him, one-half of whom hold key management positions in his company. 'People ask me why I hire known substance abusers,' observes Beal, 'and my response is, 'Well, at least I know what I'm getting.' When you hire off the street, you have no idea what kind of employee you are bringing in.'

Beal notes that several of the employees he has hired who previously had drug or alcohol problems have stayed with the company for years as loyal and dedicated workers. 'I would rather take the chance and give someone the opportunity to work and to straighten out their life than to turn my back on this problem,' notes Beal. 'I'll admit it doesn't always work and we do have setbacks occasionally, but these employee have also helped me by identifying substance abuse problems I was not aware of.'

Beal is currently working to implement an employee assistance program (EAP) at Rizzo's that will provide a clear-cut policy on substance abuse for all his workers. 'We want to notify everyone in the business that we are a drug-free workplace,' Beal says. The EAP includes some random drug testing and the array of support services with which Beal is already well acquainted, such as counseling and rehabilitation programs. In addition to the EAP, salaried employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical and dental coverage at a cost the company shares with the employee.

Beal realizes that the kinds of employee assistance services he offers are not typical of those extended by other small businesses but, then again, there is nothing typical about Rizzo's or Beal. 'I cannot give up on people, and I hope that eventually more people in this business will feel the same way.'

21 East Glenside Avenue

Glenside, PA 19038

(215) 887-2909