A list of tips shown to assist
with hiring and sustaining an Hispanic Work Force
TIPS
Vacation after 1 yr, profit sharing after 3 yrs, extra money for
transportation each month and help with legal questions (Greenwood
Landscape).
Monetary bonuses before Christmas, raffles, courtesy, introduce crews to
clients, emphasize their specialties, i.e. stonewall, etc.
We provide transportation.
Company handbooks, training materials, and employee reviews with bonuses
and incentives. I speak a fair amount of Spanish and take the time to
find out about my employees. I give them opportunity to advance and show
them that we must be a team so we all can prosper.
Educating English speaking employees with Spanish classes.
I teach my crews English at every opportunity. The first word is always
payday.
Also, ask about their families and what their native country is like.
And remember/acknowledge birthdays.
Provide more flexible time/family leave. Offer advance pay for family
bills, other payments.
Spanish lessons for all mid level and upper level management.
Used to provide transportation to and from work.
Safety meeting every Monday.
Due to a worker’s shoulder injury, I went to the clinic with him to
explain (in my extremely limited) manner what was to be done. Then found
a rehab clinic that had Spanish-speaking technicians.
Help them to get legal. Talk to Attorneys to help the family.
Help with call bill agents helping to resolve disputes. Know their
family history.
We provide clothing and boot subsidy. We invited our workers to attend
this event with us today and tomorrow (at our cost). Take them to
Growers parties/events. Inviting them to come to meet with us and an
immigration attorney (at our cost) to help them achieve legal status. (Greenscapes
Lawn & Landscape Services).
Work hand in hand with my Spanish employees and they help me in Spanish
as I help them with English during the day.
Company day at baseball game.
Improved property services, box lunch for employees, sponsor soccer
league for employees.
I work hand in hand with my Spanish workers. I use nonverbal
communication.
We recently installed English to Spanish software to translate all
company memos/policies/reviews, etc. We also have 3 flags flying in our
little courtyard, American/Mexican/Puerto Rican, to symbolize unity and
respect. We need help, however, to better understand cultural
differences. (JiCugliotta Landscape/Nursery)
I’ve cut my jobs significantly, so each day the crew works for me, I buy
them lunch.
We provide transportation, H 2 B opportunities and special pizza and
beer parties throughout the seasons. We also provide the opportunity for
English courses as well.
Learned to speak Spanish, make them Foremen.
We provide transportation. Also, I am constantly trying to learn more
Spanish and learning about their cultures so that we understand each
other better. We offer bonuses and Christmas party. (Bill’s Scenic
Landscaping)
Respect – my employees are co-workers not labor.
Translate policy manual to Spanish.
We make phone calls to different agencies, doctors etc, for our workers
(only 1-2 per season) and try to guide them through red tape.
My company has advanced payroll due to illness of a family member in
Mexico.
Training material in Spanish and videos, handouts, etc. I help with
problems with US agencies.
I’ve re-learned my high school and college Spanish.
I started studying Spanish one and half years ago when I started at a
Nursery.
I took 3 years of Spanish.
I translated our Safety Policy into Spanish.
Every year at our summer picnic we collect for a charity and the company
matches that donation. This year we collected for orphanages in
Guatemala and Mexico.
Monthly Safety meetings translated into Spanish.
Giving my Hispanic foreman more challenges and authority.
Through safety tailgate sessions, giving the guys an opportunity to
interact with each other and management, while improving quality of
life.
English lessons during the workday 2 x per year 6 weeks.
Modern, proper and safe equipment and workplace, as well as competitive
wages. Our Latino workers stay in droves.
Began posting EE notices in English and Spanish.
Turkey to each employee for Thanksgiving.
Gift certificates for Food and Christmas.
Bring TV’s, DVD’s, walkmans and giveaways by drawings at Christmas.
Everything we have is in both English and Spanish. During slow season we
have a “Food for Friends” program to help feed families. X-mas parties,
company picnics. New idea program that pays cash, 1st , 2nd, and 3rd
place- $1000, $750, $500.
H2B, Mission Statement (English and Spanish).
Recruiting through current Latino employees.
Genuine opportunity for management advancement for Hispanic/Latino
employees.
Everyone is involved in decisions made; part of the strategic planning,
help with hiring/firing evaluations, job descriptions, etc. (Juan-Prides
Corner Farms).
Learning Spanish.
Flew all laborers to Mexico for H2B Act. Provide English classes, paid
holidays, 401 K for employees, housing, incentives and equal status.
They are oars that row the boat (David Fritz, Winterberry Gardens
Southington/CT).
Fabulous planters! They need encouragement and a sense of their innate
skills and worth (Carol De Luca)!
Try to get them legal status, not just respect- friends! I wish local
people had the work ethic that my Latino guys have (Garden Concepts, Glo.
MA).
