4/7/2016 Bakery’s ‘Open Hiring’ Offers Anyone a Chance - New York Times

November 26, 2006

EMPLOYMENT

Bakery’s ‘Open Hiring’ Offers Anyone a Chance
By JULI STEADMAN CHARKES

Yonkers

TYRONE EMERY works on the factory floor of the Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, mixing batter, positioning
pans and packing boxes. Seventeen months ago he was serving a federal prison sentence for dealing heroin.
Dieulane Philogene worked her way up from Greyston’s factory to an accounting job in the front office. A
single mother, she had lost a previous job and was facing eviction from her apartment when Greyston
offered her work in 2000.

There are more employees like Mr. Emery and Ms. Philogene at Greyston. In fact, most of the workers
there have a “history.” Some have served time for theft or drug dealing, and some have been homeless. But
the bakery didn’t know any of that when it hired those workers. Executives made it a point not to ask.

“We don’t check references, we don’t require a work history; it’s strictly done by whoever’s next on the list,”
said Joan Cotter, director of accounting and human resources, referring to the apprentice list.

It’s called “open hiring.” And it has been part of the bakery’s mission ever since its founder, Bernard
Tetsugen Glassman, an astrophysicist turned Zen Buddhist monk, first started turning out cakes and
brownies in 1982.

“Everyone deserves an opportunity,” said Julius Walls Jr. of Yonkers, the president and chief executive,
who grew up in the projects of Brooklyn.

The factory runs day and night and, according to the company, supplies $5 million of brownies and cookies
to wholesale customers like Ben and Jerry’s and local restaurants.

Greyston will take a chance on anyone, but employees must adhere to the company’s rules. Potential hires
are put on a two-week apprentice program. If they are absent even once during that period, they’re out; if
late more than once, they’re asked to leave. They are also evaluated on attitude and productivity. The pay is
$6.75 an hour, raised to $7 if they make it through the program. It’s a tough-love approach that Mr. Walls
called self-selection.

“We provide training, structure and encouragement,” he said. “But it’s up to the individual to decide
whether they are ready to commit.”

Most are not. Of the 129 people who were chosen to participate in Greyston’s apprentice program in 2005,
only 29 successfully completed the training and were hired as permanent workers. For those who succeed,
Greyston is a caring employer, helping with housing, health insurance, child care and counseling services.
And Mr. Walls pointed out that of his 45 workers, 40 started as open hires.

Ms. Cotter said about four out of five workers don’t last through the first year.

“I would say that most people don’t even last a month,” she said. “They may come and stay only long

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/26/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/26webakery.html?_r=0&pagewanted=print 1/2
4/7/2016 Bakery’s ‘Open Hiring’ Offers Anyone a Chance - New York Times

enough to collect their first paycheck. Many of them simply do not think beyond that first paycheck to stick
around for the long run.”

Angelo R. Martinelli, chairman of the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce, said the program was “fantastic.”

“These are people that are forgotten by everyone else and they gave them an opportunity,” he said.

Mr. Emery found Greyston just in time. As part of his parole requirement, he had to find a job. If he didn’t,
he would be sent back to prison. Just days away from his deadline, he received an offer from Greyston.
Sixteen months later, he is still grateful.

“I know guys like me,” he said. “And I knew what was coming next.”

Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

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