Employee satisfaction significantly impacts a company’s success, and this includes bi/multilingual professionals. While employee turnover is inevitable, employers can be proactive in recognizing the linguistic skills and unique perspectives of bilingual employees, implementing different strategies to boost morale and reduce turnover rates that can be costly.

Contact Us Today to Bring Language Proficiency Testing to Your Organization

Boosting employee morale 

“The Missouri Small Business and Technology Center notes that some of the most important ways of reducing turnover through boosting morale include having in place adequate training and career development for employees; maintain open door policies and open communication with management, so employees feel part of the organization; giving employees responsibility and opportunities for advancement; and making sure employees are compensated in line with similar companies,” (Magloff). 

Professional development 

Regarding growth opportunities, offering professional development opportunities like leadership training, industry-specific workshops or providing subsidies for language learning programs if bilingual employees seek to improve their language proficiency or acquire a new language, is crucial. This approach aligns with recommendations presented by a study conducted for ACTFL, emphasizing the need for responsive policies to address language skills gaps in different industries. “With language learning becoming a critical business need, organizations are looking to scale it efficiently,” (Oesch).  

Supportive work environment 

Employers can create a supportive work environment for all employees, and this includes dynamics between bilingual and monolingual staff. It is vital to promptly address any issues related to language barriers or challenges related to cultural misunderstandings to create a safe and productive environment. Conducting regular check-ins with employees to discuss their career goals, listen to their feedback, and implement improvements, if necessary, also contribute to a positive work atmosphere. 

“Diverse work environments are places where employees feel their differences are nurtured and appreciated, not just tolerated. Employees are encouraged to perform, not conform, and individuality is cherished. Imagine working in a welcoming workplace where everyone’s differences and strengths are accepted, and their involvement is encouraged,” (American Management Association). 

Employee resource groups 

Employers need to adapt to new developments and labor market trends. Establishing Employee Resource Groups to generate a supportive network and promoting a sense of belonging, along with offering cultural training to all employees, enhance cohesion within the workforce. Another good strategy to keep the morale of bilingual employees high is acknowledging and rewarding their achievements and dedication with promotions, awards, or any form of incentive. Bilingual employees will appreciate a formal recognition of their language skills, especially when their roles are related to their second language. 

By embracing and highlighting the value of the linguistic abilities of bilingual employees, your company can boost morale, reduce turnover, and maximize the positive impact of language on business outcomes. Do not hesitate to contact Language Testing International® (LTI), a leader in providing language assessments with 30 years of experience to certify the language proficiency of your staff as an incentive and recognition of the value you place on their linguistic skills. As the exclusive licensee of ACTFL, LTI provides valid and reliable ACTFL language credentials in over 120 languages, through convenient assessments that are remotely proctored. 

Sources

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Lead with Languages Campaign commissioned Ipsos Public Affairs, with the support of Pearson LLC and Language Testing International. (2019). “Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers.” https://www.leadwithlanguages.org/report  

AMA Staff. American Management Association (AMA). “Improving Employee Retention Through Cultural Competency”. Nov 30, 2017. https://www.amanet.org/articles/employee-retention-cultural-competency/?Pcode=XCLQ&ms… 

Oesch, Taryn. “Personalized Language Learning for a Global Workforce”. March 19, 2019. https://trainingindustry.com/articles/strategy-alignment-and-planning/personalized-language-learning-for-a-global-workforce/ 

Magloff, Lisa. “How Does Employee Morale Impact Turnover?” CHRON. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/employee-morale-impact-turnover-11108.html 

Madeline Martínez is a Multicultural Navigator Specialist at URBANDER, a Woman and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) specializing in transforming businesses to advance humanity. URBANDER’s role is to serve as an extension of Marketing, Diversity, Human Resources, Procurement, Community Relations, and Social Responsibility teams, providing innovative approaches in the areas of strategic marketing, content development, workforce development, community outreach and IDEAS (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and sustainability). Madeline holds a both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communications from the University of Puerto Rico and is an experienced copywriter and content developer dedicated to amplifying the voices of URBANDER’s clients. From blogs and articles to social media posts and interviews, Madeline is a skilled writer across diverse topics integrating her marketing, business and academic acumen. Though her earlier work as a Publications Officer at the Inter American University in Puerto Rico, and her most recent performance as a Spanish Interpreter, Substitute Teacher, and Instructional Assistant for English-language learning elementary school students, Madeline has impacted countless families as they have navigated migrating to the U.S. from Spanish-speaking countries. As a bilingual professional, Madeline is also proficient in translating written documents from English to Spanish, and vice versa. She has received LTI issued ACTFL Language Proficiency Certificates in Spanish as follows: Advanced Writing, Advanced Listening, Advanced Reading and Superior Speaking. During her downtime, Madeline loves spending time with her family, and enjoys dancing, movies, photography, and coffee. She considers herself a continuous learner. “A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers”- Helen Keller

    Recommended Posts

    13 Language Proficiency and Assessments Myths Debunked
    Language Proficiency Assessments: Why Only the Gold Standard Counts
    English proficiency on construction sites improves construction site safety communication
    English Proficiency on Construction Sites: A Critical Safety Standard