Language accessibility, in particular, plays a vital role in achieving these objectives. Translation and localization serve as fundamental means to foster trust, diversity, and inclusion by making content accessible to individuals who speak various languages.
The workforce today is more diverse than ever before. According to recent research from the U.S. Census, the number of people in the United States that spoke a language other than English at home nearly tripled from 23.1 million (about 1 in 10) in 1980 to 67.8 million (almost 1 in 5) in 2019.
Furthermore, based on the 2019 data, between 30-50 percent of those individuals that are in the workforce had not yet mastered English.
It is evident that despite the widespread globalization of the workplace, organizations have yet to adopt a standard practice of providing multilingual training for learning and development.
Embracing an inclusive approach to training and development ensures that all learners, regardless of their language preferences, have equal access to education, growth, and career opportunities.
By acknowledging and valuing cultural nuances, businesses can effectively resonate with employees and consumers from foreign backgrounds, demonstrating their dedication to meeting their unique needs and preferences.
Employers who have non-native English speakers among their workforce should carefully consider the translation of crucial documents. These documents should include, at the very least:
1) notices regarding wages and hours; 2) policies addressing mandatory sexual harassment and anti-discrimination; 3) arbitration agreements; and 4) forms for acknowledging receipt of the employee handbook.
Moreover, employers should either make disciplinary and safety/work rules available in other languages or demonstrate that they have effectively communicated this information to employees in a manner they can comprehend. This can be achieved by providing translated hard copies of policies or arranging for interpreters to verbally translate.
AAA Translation specializes in a comprehensive range of language services tailored for businesses, including the translation of employee handbooks, subtitling of training videos, provide interpreters for employee benefit meetings, and language training programs designed specifically for employees.
