As the sociopolitical landscape evolves, many businesses are striving to provide support to their employees, and in particular, their Latino and immigrant employees. Employees who feel secure and informed are more engaged and productive; able to contribute fully to their workplaces.
Whether you manage a small business or a large company, understanding and leveraging the available resources can help create a stable work environment while ensuring your employees have access to needed information. Here’s are some key initiatives for employers to provide meaningful support:
Ensure Language Access for Employees
One of the biggest challenges immigrant workers face is accessing important services due to language barriers. Expanding access to information in Spanish and other languages allows employees to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
Employers can help by:
- Providing clear workplace policies and employee resources in multiple languages.
- Encourage employees to utilize language access services for healthcare, legal aid, and financial guidance.
- Referring employees to local organizations like the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, which offers English language classes and other resources.
- Partnering with organizations that offer translation and interpretation services.
Connect Employees with Trusted Community Resources
Latinos and immigrants often turn to community-based organizations and trusted leaders. Collaborating with vetted partners ensures that critical information reaches those who need it most. Initiatives like those promoted by Welcoming America and UnidosUS demonstrate how partnerships with faith-based groups, nonprofits, and local governments strengthen community bonds, helping ensure employees have access to reliable, fact-based information.
Businesses can build trust and engagement by:
- Referring employees to local nonprofits and legal aid groups that help with essential services, such as CARECEN DC, which provides training for the Latino population in D.C.
- Connecting immigrant employees with county-level support. For instance, the Office of Community Partnerships in Montgomery County works to strengthen relationships between government, nonprofits, and local communities to better serve immigrant populations. For more information, contact partnerships@montgomerycountymd.gov
- Connecting immigrant employees in Maryland with education and social support through the Montgomery County Newcomer program, which helps recently arrived immigrants access essential resources. To connect community members, call (301) 270-8432, or email newcomerinitiative@montgomerycountymd.gov
- Partnering with workforce development organizations that provide upskilling programs for immigrant workers, many can be found on the MD Department of Labor, Adult Learning website, which can be translated into many languages.
- Sharing information from reputable sources offering employer resources for supporting immigrant communities.
Prioritize Culturally Competency Training
Organizations must prioritize cultural competence training to better serve immigrant populations. Such training addresses implicit biases, fosters empathy, and ensures respectful communication, especially in sectors like healthcare and education. Research from the Urban Institute emphasizes that culturally competent practices improve service delivery and outcomes for immigrants, helping organizations better meet community needs.
Employers can strengthen workforce engagement by:
- Providing cultural competency training to management and HR teams.
- Encouraging open dialogue and fostering an inclusive work environment.
- Recognizing and celebrating the different backgrounds of your employees.
- Ensuring LGBTQ+ inclusivity by connecting employees with resources such as TransMaryland, which provides support for Transgender individuals, including Latino communities.
Provide Guidance on Workplace Rights
Navigating the complexities of immigration status can be daunting. Employers can support their workforce by providing access to legal resources and ensuring employees understand their workplace rights. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) provides essential tools, such as the National Immigration Legal Services Directory, which helps individuals locate free or low-cost immigration legal support.
Key topics to address:
- Workplace protections: All employees have the right to fair wages and safe working conditions.
- Legal assistance: Encourage employees to seek help from reputable legal aid organizations when needed.
- Scam prevention: Warn against unlicensed individuals offering immigration services, sometimes referred to as “notarios.”
Addressing Misinformation and Promoting Stability
Uncertainty can create stress in any person’s life. Employers can help reduce anxiety by facilitating access to accurate, up-to-date information.
Nonprofit and government organizations like the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and National Immigration Law Center offer resources to help individuals understand their rights and navigate immigration policies effectively.
Employers can take action by:
- Sharing accurate, up-to-date information from trusted sources.
- Encouraging employees to report any hate or bias incidents through official channels, such as the Montgomery County Hate/Bias Incident Complaint portal.
- Hosting information sessions with legal experts to address common concerns.
- Training HR teams to handle employee concerns with discretion and cultural sensitivity.
Strengthening Workplace Inclusion
Immigrants are an integral part of the U.S. economy and culture. Employers play a crucial role in ensuring their well-being by creating inclusive policies, expanding language access, and providing workforce development opportunities.
At Cool we offer cultural competency training, workforce development consulting, and strategic outreach initiatives to help employers support immigrant employees effectively. Contact us today to learn how we can assist your organization in fostering a more welcoming and engaged workforce.
Image:
Happy family couple clients meeting professional real estate agent by @fizkes from Getty Images
Related Blogs:
- Census Updates 2024: Latino Population Growth and What It Means for Maryland: https://coolassociatesllc.com/latino-population-maryland/
- How Language and Culture Shape Business Success: https://coolassociatesllc.com/language-culture-transcreation/
- Bridging Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Cultural Gaps in the Workplace: https://coolassociatesllc.com/bridging-hispanic-culture-in-the-workplace/
