According to the Census Bureau, about one in five U.S. residents speaks a language other than English in their homes and over 25 million rate their ability to speak English as “less than very well.” While our multi-cultural environment provides both opportunities and challenges for businesses, there’s no denying the pressure it puts on human resource managers to address language diversity in the workplace. Interpreters and translators for human resource departments help to close language gaps and ensure a legally compliant, safe, and productive work environment.
From global corporations to local companies that employ non-native speakers, your ability to build a cohesive team depends on your ability to communicate – in both written and verbal formats.
The Role of Document Translators for Human Resource Departments
From handbooks to contracts to monthly newsletters, every employee should be able to understand important information about the company, the position, and the available benefits, regardless of their language skills. By offering essential documents in your employees’ native languages, you’ll help to legally protect the organization, ensure the success of the employee, and boost morale in the workplace.
Translators support human resource departments in their efforts to maintain compliance with legal statutes and industry regulations, while supporting the wellbeing and productivity of limited English proficient (LEP) employees. Unlike translation software, specialized translators for human resource departments use their native language expertise to ensure the information is technically accurate and culturally appropriate.
Examples of human resource documents that need translation include:
Employee Handbooks
Safety Documents
Training Materials
Company Policies
Review Forms
Applications
Benefit Packages
The Role of Professional Interpreters for Human Resource Departments
From interviews to workshops to annual performance reviews, limited English proficient employees need to comprehend the information that is being communicated to them. By offering professional interpretation services during these meetings, you can be sure that nothing is getting lost in translation and the employee is able to understand and interact fully.
Professional Interpreters assist human resource departments in their efforts to build an informed and efficient base of employees for the organization, while creating an environment of inclusion. Interpreters for human resources departments are highly skilled at providing verbal translations quickly and accurately during private meetings or large events. For meetings of 5 or more people, professional interpreting equipment allows the interpreter to translate simultaneously as the presenter is speaking. Those that need the translation wear a headset (listening device) so they can hear the interpreter in their preferred language. Use of this technology shortens meeting times and creates a deeper level of engagement for all employees across languages.
Examples of meetings that may require on-site interpreters and interpreting equipment include:
Training Workshops
Company Meetings
Safety Meetings
Interviews
Reviews
Sexual Harassment Training
Get Started with Continental Interpreting Services
For more than 25 years, Continental Interpreting Services has provided language solutions that bridge communication gaps and transcend cultural barriers. With a global network of certified and qualified interpreters and translators, CIS brings you the highest quality interpreting and translation services—quickly, efficiently and cost effectively.
Call us at (800) 201-7121 or click here to request a quote.