Overcoming Language Barriers in the Workplace

Overcoming Language Barriers in the Workplace = Compliance

Industries with the greatest concentration of foreign workers

22% service

16% construction

20% manufacturing

Considerations to create a SAFER environment for all workers:

Language

Culture

Understanding

Example: Construction sites often have a large level of immigrants or ESL (English as a second language) workers. The lack of appropriate communication can pose a problem because the worker does not understand the safety measures must be followed.

a.  The worker is afraid to lose their job and will take unnecessary risks to keep their jobs. This fear needs to be addressed by company supervisors, officials and discussed in training materials.

b.  They do not comply with the safety instruction because it is not given to them in their own native language, the understanding is lost.

·   It is the company’s responsibility to properly train these workers, OSHA compliance mandates that the worker understands the safety instruction given.

How to better communicate to ESL workers:

·         Translations/translators

o   For better safety compliance with a culturally diverse workforce where English is a second language or not spoken, consider:

§  Provide individuals with a list of commonly used words and meanings that are not readily replaced by pictograms

§  Provide simple instructions and guidelines in the spoken languages of your workers.

§  Ensure that groups of workers who share a common culture and language have one of their own bilingual fellow employees to act as interpreters. This raises the level of engagement, understanding and communication for all involved.

·         Multilingual Training is required to be OSHA compliant.

§  Comprehension is greatly increased

§  Retention is greatly increased.

§  Reduces training costs because the understanding happens sooner.

§  Reduces injuries by raising the comprehension and retention of the materials.

o   Training can take a variety of forms:

§  Video with voice-overs is better than close captioning because of literacy level issues

§ Classroom training with a bi-lingual instructor or interpreter.

§ Training materials are written in the native speaker’s language

§ Testing should be done in the native speaker language, using written and oral examinations.

·    Understand the foreign workers’ culture – understanding the cultural beliefs of these workers will enable effective communications.

o   Some Considerations and Examples:

§  Does the worker believe if he/she complains, they will lose their job.

§  Asian and Mexican workers nod as a sign of respect, not necessarily in agreement or understanding.

§  Do not use a first name unless you were given permission

§  Mexicans are soft spoken and raised voices indicate to them anger.

o    Does the worker have religious beliefs that need to be addressed:

§  Holidays they observe

§  Gender issues: Muslim men do not shake hands with women; do not look in the face of women. This may be an issue if a supervisor or co-worker is a woman

§  Religious concerns include

· Times to pray -  must they stop pray during the day

· Times to eat - must they eat at certain times, certain areas, etc.

· Holidays observed

o   Facial Hair requirements can be accommodated instead of restricting it.

Example: instead of shaving it off or safety and health issues can he mask it to ensure food manufacturing processes are still safe and healthy can help people still do their work and maintain their cultural beliefs.

The Service Industry, Construction and Manufacturing have benefited by integrating foreign workers into their workforce.  For example, the Service Industry has greater than 22% foreign workers and is growing. Our economy will not grow and prosper without welcoming these valuable workers. Adding proper communication in many languages will strengthen the workforce and increase production and loyalty. 

About the Author

Linda Richardson is the President and Owner of All Clear Translations, LLC. They help American manufacturers increase export sales through localization services of websites, software, technical manuals and marketing materials. Please contact linda@allcleartranslations.com with new projects.