February 2007 - Global View Newsletter
ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION WITH FOREIGN BORN WORKERS
From 1992-2002 nearly 7,700 Hispanic workers suffered on-the-job fatalities (OSHA). This represents nearly 25%, which is more than all other categories of workers.
Why the high rates?
One crucial aspect is the lack of appropriate communication. This is essential to the overall effectiveness in any organization employing foreign workers. Beyond the obvious language barriers, employers must look into the full communication effort, written, oral and cultural.
“Hispanic workers are largely concentrated in the agricultural, service, manufacturing and construction industries” (WCF Group Winter/Spring 04). Because these types of industries have a relatively high degree of risk, adding additional factors such as communication inefficiencies and lack of translation services does not help the situation.
When employing foreign workers in these industries, specifically those of Hispanic origin, it is imperative that all measures be taken to ensure proper understanding of job duties and safety precautions to safeguard the employees and the company. To do this, an organization must have a clear written, oral and cultural plan in place. In order to help you become more effective.
Here's a few ways to implement effective translation services into your workplace:
Effective written communication is one of the key components to safe, productive foreign workers. The first step in your communication plan should be to make sure that all employee handbooks are professionally written in the employees’ native language at a relatively low reading level, preferably 5th grade or less. The average literacy rate among Hispanic workers in these industries is generally lower, so in order to make sure the understanding is as clear as possible, it may be necessary to alter the Spanish version to include more descriptions using a more simplistic style of writing. Daily instructions, precautions, tips and other visible written communication should contain as little text as possible and include as much visual imagery as possible. These constant “visual bytes” should be used to reinforce the most crucial aspects of the job, such as safety and health concerns. Visual bytes are also a good way to help employees improve their English communication skills.
Supporting the written communication effort with oral and cultural components is key. After publication and distribution of the employee handbook or other supplemental materials, holding an open discussion with a professional linguist where all employees understand that ALL questions are o.k. and no one will be reprimanded for reporting health, safety or inefficiency problems.
Allowing employees to feel comfortable by promoting these types of discussions will help improve safety and increase cross communication. These sessions should be held on initial hiring, as well as a regularly scheduled basis and of course as the need arises.
Because the Hispanic workers value friends, family, religion and native customs, it is important to understand the ways these workers operate to help them be as efficient as possible. When choosing leaders, look for a respected member of the group that has good multilingual skills. Keep in mind that they genuinely want to do a good job because having stable employment to provide for their families here and/or in their native countries is valued. They also may hesitate to report problems with or reprimand friends because of the value placed on the group above the individual. Recognize their achievements, their families and their customs. The more secure they feel, the more open in communication they will be which will ultimately help the bottom line production and safety concerns.
As with all statistics, the communication barrier in foreign-born workers is not the only factor contributing to on-the-job deaths, however, by taking all steps possible to reduce this factor, productivity will increase and safety issues will decrease. For more information or to get specific help with translation services for your organization, call a representative at U.S. Translation Company, 800-595-4648.
U.S. Translation Company: Superior quality Interpretation and Translation Services in over 100 Languages!
