Language Services and Linguistic Diversity:
People come to America everyday in search of a fresh start, stable living conditions, educational opportunities and jobs that will allow them to provide for their families. The allure of the American dream has promoted nearly 44 million immigrants to relocate to the United States. 65.5 million people living in America reported speaking a language other than English at home. The top languages include Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic, French (including Cajun), and Korean. In 2016, approximately 49% (21.3 million) of the 43.4 million immigrants ages 5 and older were limited English proficient (LEP). With such a significant amount of language diversity amongst our communities, the likelihood of hiring or working with an individual who is LEP is quite high. It takes time to gain full command of a language, which leaves people facing language barriers on the job. Ensuring all employees have an open line of communication can be a challenge when you have a multilingual workforce. Taking a few simple steps to provide language services can aid in providing your LEP employees with the opportunity to understand important job related information and excel in their positions regardless of the language they speak.
Have Job and Position Related Information Translated:
If your employees heavily rely on manuals, memos, training materials, safety posters, handbooks, compliance regulations, policies and guidelines or any other written content to do their jobs correctly, it’s important to have those documents translated in the top five languages spoken within your company. If there are more than five different languages spoken at your place of business, have the information translated in all languages to ensure everyone is provided with equal opportunity and is on the same page. Having this information translated and ready to be handed out can keep LEP employees informed of company news, updates and changes.
Over-The-Phone (OPI) Interpretation is a Valuable Asset:
Over-the-phone (OPI) interpretation is an invaluable tool for when simple conversations need to take place or when there is an LEP individual who needs immediate attention. If a short exchange of pertinent information is at hand, connecting with a telephone interpreter is a quick and easy solution. OPI can be pre-schedule or utilized through a user-friendly and convenient on-demand service. If an unexpected situation occurs and there is a need for communication to be facilitated immediately, connecting with a telephone interpreter can aid in allowing all parties involved to be on the same page in a matter of minutes.
Interpreters Bridge the Language Gap for Company Wide Gatherings:
If you’re planning orientations, training sessions, human resource meetings or any other larger company wide event that is designed to provide information, hiring an on-site interpreter allows you to speak to everyone at once. Every company holds meetings and events in order to deliver their employees information which is important to the flow, growth and profit of the company. These meetings also help employees better understand their individual jobs, earnings, and benefits. Ensuring this information is accurately received can only happen if an interpreter is there facilitating communication.
Examples of When Interpretation Services are Needed:
- Training Sessions
- Development Programs
- Interviews
- Exit Interviews
- OSHA Meetings
- Company Investigations
- Disciplinary Meetings
- Employee Termination Meetings
- Employee Candidate Meetings
- Conferences and Conventions
- Company Seminars
- Safety Training
Language barriers can result in miscommunication and confusion between LEP employees and management. Implementing an “open door” policy where LEP employes can ask for the aid of language services when needed promotes understanding, equality, teamwork and trust amongst company culture. Taking the extra step to accommodate LEP employees working for your company by providing language services shows your employees you care about their success, performance and well being. If you’re interested in incorporating language services to accommodate your LEP employees, contact Niki’s Int’l Ltd., a language service company (LSC) with over 20 years experience providing a voice for LEP individuals across America. Having a multilingual and multicultural workforce creates a limitless platform for growth and learning through diversity. Don’t turn down an opportunity to hire great employees because of a language barrier when providing language services is a simple solution that allows everyone involved a positive and clear outcome.
Niki’s Int’l Ltd. is a WBENC-Certified Women Business Enterprise with 20 years of language service experience. A global network of highly skilled interpreters and translators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for on-site, telephonic and video remote interpretation services. Our linguists are available in over 350 languages and dialects, and our network includes certified interpreters and translators. Our work is guaranteed with a $1 Million Errors & Omissions policy, so that you can be confident that your project will be completed with the highest level of quality and professionalism within the field. For more information contact us at 1-877-567-8449 or visit our website at www.nilservices.com.