As the world becomes more global, human resources departments need to become more global, as well. It is not that much of a surprise that the fastest growing companies have begun to get professional HR translations of their company materials. Of course, some companies may try and shortchange this process, or do it cheaply with software. But having your HR translations done professionally makes a lot more sense for several reasons. Here are five:
1) Image: As a business you want everyone who comes through your doors to feel as though they are welcome. By getting professional HR translations done for your company literature you are not only welcoming everyone who comes through from virtually anywhere in the world, you are also opening up your business to succeed where others maybe have failed. If your business is truly global and your policies and procedures are being sent around the world to staff who doesn’t understand them, how are they supposed to carry and represent your brand ethos to this new part of the world?
2) Clarity: Although many foreign-based employees have a certain level of English proficiency, there can still be confusion, especially when it comes to written language and complex ideas. For example, legal terms can be confusing, and English has many words with double meaning. Breaking things down and making your company’s language simpler to understand with professional HR translations will help prevent any misunderstanding, and cut down on more costly issues down the road.
3) Efficiency: Most companies are set up with a very specific training program for new employees, which introduces them not only to policies and procedures, but to company culture. Training typically entails a very well thought out set of steps, each one building on the last. You can avoid undercutting that effort and investment by getting a professional HR translation from the beginning. The result will be a faster training process because employees are able to learn in their own language. Using a professional translations service agency will also guarantee that the investment you made in creating you English training program does not get ‘lost in translation.”
4) Compliance: All companies are interested in creating a safe place to work. Many manufacturing firms based in the USA have plants and warehouses abroad, staffed by local workers. Safety can certainly be a concern, and making sure that safety guidelines and policies are clear and understandable for local workers is important, especially when required by law. This kind of project requires the expertise of a professional translator, who will have specialized training in the industry terminology at hand.
5) Necessity: Although it is the de facto language of business, English is not the most spoken language in the world. In fact many factory workers doing the bulk of manufacturing work do not speak English. Growing companies are looking to new markets in which to produce and sell their products. Emerging markets, like China, India, and Brazil represent huge opportunities, but linguistic challenges for American businesses. Establishing credibility with employees and consumers alike is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity.