Employment Services Feature
When Emma Webb began working at Big 8 in November 2025 as a Maintenance Employee, she brought a strong work ethic and a clear sense of pride in her job. In a fast-paced production environment, Emma plays an important role in keeping the facility clean, safe, and running smoothly.
Big 8 has a long history dating back to the 1950s. Sobeys purchased the company from Fenten & Day, with the Big 8 plant opening in Stellarton in 1986. Today, it remains a busy operation where maintaining high standards is a priority and Emma is a key part of that effort.
Emma is responsible for cleaning throughout the entire plant, including machinery, offices, floors, break rooms, and bathrooms. Her role also involves safely shutting down equipment and entering machine spaces to complete detailed cleaning, ensuring the facility meets strict cleanliness and safety standards.
What Emma enjoys most about her work is seeing the results. “I like the finished overall outcome of all my cleaning,” she shares. “I can see the progress I make, and I feel accomplished when everything is clean.” She also enjoys the people she works with, noting that her coworkers “make her day.”
Emma’s success is supported by a team that takes the time to ensure she feels confident in her role. “They listen to me and break down the steps so I can understand,” she explains. She appreciates their patience and willingness to help, an approach that has made a lasting impression not only on Emma, but on the workplace as a whole.
“Emma’s confidence and independence have really grown,” her manager, Edie Murphy, Quality Assurance Manager at Big 8, shares. “She has become more comfortable with her tasks, communicates more openly, and takes initiative in her daily work.”
Through her work at Big 8, Emma has gained valuable knowledge and skills, including proper cleaning techniques, the safe use of cleaning products and chemicals, and the high standards required in a large production plant.
The impact of meaningful employment has extended beyond the workplace. Emma shares that the skills she has learned have helped her stay on top of cleaning and organization at home. She is grateful for the stability of her position, including consistent hours, good wages, and benefits. “I’m very happy to work for a company like this,” she says.
Emma’s presence has had a positive impact on the team as well. “Emma has reminded our team of the value of patience, kindness, and celebrating progress,” Edie explains. “She brings positivity to each day and has become an important part of our team in the best way.”
This experience has also strengthened the company’s commitment to inclusive hiring. “Hiring inclusively has reminded us that every person brings something unique to the team,” Edie shares. “We are more patient, more understanding, and more committed to helping each other succeed. It has genuinely made our workplace feel more welcoming.”
Emma encourages other businesses to take a similar approach. “Be patient with people with diverse abilities and understand the disability of the person you hired because everyone learns differently,” she says.
Edie echoes that message: “Be curious and open-minded. Inclusive hiring isn’t about making big changes, just a willingness to listen, adapt, and support someone’s strengths. Doing so creates a meaningful and rewarding workplace experience for everyone.”
Emma also credits Summer Street for helping her find a role that aligns with her goals. “Summer Street dedicated themselves to finding employment that suits me,” she shares. When she was looking for more hours, the team worked with her to find a position that better met her needs. “Summer Street staff are good people.”
Emma’s story highlights the impact of inclusive employment, not only for individuals, but for entire workplaces. Through opportunities like this, businesses can build stronger, more supportive teams while making a meaningful difference in their communities.
If your business is interested in inclusive hiring practices, reach out to our team at Summer Street by email to learn more about our Employment Services Program.