Any time a company hires new employees, there is a period of time where the employee needs to be trained in internal policies. The company also goes through a sort of training period, a time when the employer is getting to know the employee and how they work. There are some key factors which can hinder the growth of a relationship between the employer and the employee, things like language barriers, cultural barriers and ethical barriers could pose a problem.
This is why it is vital your company provides a welcoming environment to all employees, especially those from other countries. Here are three tips that require little effort — but could go a long way in establishing a harmonious multi-cultural work environment.
- Have a translator/mentor available if needed. This will encourage interaction from the current employees and the new hire. If the newly hired employee is having trouble speaking English a translator will be able to provide the necessary communication element for transitioning to the job. Likewise a mentor can help the new hire get acclimated to their new position.
- Try to incorporate multiple cultural aspects to the work environment. I am not saying you have to change the entire work place to suit 20 different cultures, but what I am saying is to make the common areas a little more multi-cultural. You can choose to add décor from different cultures or implement different cultural traditions as well. You can make this as big or as little of a deal as you like, but if your new employee from another country feels welcomed they are sure to have work better.
- Prepare your established staff. Train your current employees in different cultures’ art, history, politics and other important topics. This will help the veteran employees connect to the newly hired ones. This can be especially helpful when interacting with employees from other countries, as the Canadian traditions and history can be so much different than that of countries.
If you take the time to put into place a welcoming environment for newly hired employees from other countries your company is sure to thrive. International employees offer to bring companies to the international world of productivity so it is smart to welcome them into the company with open arms.
