Hiring Foreign Workers

In a world of globalization, where never before have so many people looked to build new lives in a foreign country, there is a wealth of talent of which you can hire an ideal candidate for a job. This modern, globalized world is not without its downsides, however. Language barriers can cause confusion between an employer and their employees, and often someone not fluent in a native language may be overlooked for a position which they are suitably qualified for. Yet, in such a modern society, a fear of international workers and their inability to speak your language fluently, should not be a reason to not employ foreign nationals.

The Modern Workforce

Throughout the world, fluid movements of people, unlike anything seen in the modern workplace, means that an increased amount of foreign individuals are looking for employment in a country that does not speak their native language.

In a recent estimate the Office for National Statistics claimed that there was 2.27 million EU nationals currently working in the UK. There was a further 1.29 million non-EU nationals also being part of the workforce, an estimated 130,000 increase, meaning their may well be thousands of workers not speaking English coming into the country in the coming years.

Foreign workers also lay a huge part in the EU. According to Eurostat there were 22.3 million non-EU natives living in the European Union by the start of 2018, this added up to 4.4% of the total population of the continent. The statistics for foreign workers are just as important in the USA, where in a news release by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, over 17% , or roughly 28 million foreign people, were part of the workforce

These workers will form a range of skills and produce a variety of assets to employers. One thing that is for certain, however, is that in such a modern world, language barriers should not stop an employer feeling the positive impact of foreign workers.

Why Foreign Workers are Important

Foreign workers are seen as a controversial subject to some, seen as stealing jobs. However, almost all studies seem to suggest that foreign workers benefits massively outweigh their negatives. Skill gaps in local markets can be filled by these new workers, and often they can have knowledge and experience of things that are lacked by local communities. They also simply provide more choice when picking the right worker for a job, whether it be low or high skilled.

Migrant workers can often come up with new ideas and generate new solutions by thinking in a way that may not be echoed by more local workers. They then may pass on such knowledge and ways of thinking onto the current workforce, meaning your whole business may become much more well-rounded.

Finally, foreign workers are a great way of accessing the overseas business markets, where connections in their native land may be an efficient way of gaining entrance into a new market place. They may also be able to help you maintain and even strengthen current ties you may have with overseas businesses and corporations.

How to Solve Language Barriers

Now to many employers, it may be a daunting task to hire someone who is not fluent in your own native language. However, with modern technology, there is no need to fear. Apps such as MyJuno are a great help, and will allow you to communicate with your employee via speech or text and allow you to have fluent conversations that my previously have been difficult.

It is, it must be said, preferential for a foreign worker to be able to speak the native language of their new country, especially in fields such as PR or marketing, where communication are vital aspects of the role. It may be worth organizing night schooling in order to teach your new employee the intricacies of their new language. Not only would this help them to adapt better to their new surroundings, it is also suggested in a blog by the TimeDoctor that education and training are vitally important when increasing the productivity of your employees.

Don’t be Intimidated

A final point to remember is that it is only you and your business that will suffer if you do not hire the most qualified person for your job. It will only save you time in the short run to go for the easy option, but it may massively help your business in the long-term to embrace the multitude of foreign workers and their talents in a globalized world. Do not be intimidated by the language barrier, accept it and embrace the technologies that can help you and your new foreign employees.