Creating a Happier, Healthier Hispanic Work Force

While we want every member of our work force to be happy and healthy, sometimes we need to pay attention to specific employee groups or populations. For example, how do the satisfaction rates of your Hispanic workers compare with those of the Anglo workers? Are your Latino employees well integrated into your work culture or could you do a better job of creating a diverse, harmonious work force?

Understanding the cultural backgrounds and behaviors of your Hispanic employees could make a significant difference. Measure your cultural IQ with the following information:

Did you know … that Hispanics comprise the country's largest minority? Even without continued immigration, the fertility rates of Caucasian vs. Latina women in the United States are skewed toward increasing numbers of Hispanics. The majority of today's Latinos are young, and these youths will revitalize the work force. As they become older, earn higher salaries and adopt mainstream buying habits, they will command higher levels of purchasing power. They are a force to be reckoned with.

Did you know … about the “healthy immigrant” phenomenon? Immigrants from Latin America arrive healthy but the longer they live in the United States, the more bad habits they develop. They begin to eat a less-healthy diet and consume more fast food and less fresh fruits and vegetables. Some women begin to smoke. Consequently, they increase their chances of contracting such diseases as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems. This has major implications for health care and health education.

Did you know … that family is the top priority for Hispanics, over and above work? This may explain some absences from work. When a child is sick, the family accompanies her to the doctor's office. Family life is the equivalent to social life. When “family” is defined by extensive networks, the calendar can be filled with an endless number of occasions such as birthdays, weddings, graduations, baptisms, anniversaries and quinceañeras (“sweet 15” parties). Remember how strong Latino family unity is when planning company recreational events.

Did you know … that Latin Americans use both their fathers' and their mothers' surnames? Imagine the problems arising from mistakenly reversing the order of the names. Ana María García Sánchez's personnel and medical files should be placed under “G” for García, not Sánchez. Her husband's name will be different, as will the last names of their children. A simple hyphen can prevent filing mistakes.

Did you know … about the East Coast/West Coast divide between Hispanic groups in the United States? Most Cuban Americans have settled along the East Coast of the United States while most Mexican Americans populate the West Coast and border states. The differences between these two groups go deeper than geography; there also is a socio-economic and cultural divide. Generally speaking, the more educated of these two groups are the Cuban Americans. They statistically have achieved a higher level of financial and professional success. In business, bilingual Cuban Americans often are identified to supervise Mexican and Central American Spanish-speaking employees, but they are reluctant to relocate across the country because their families live on the East Coast.

Did you know … that many poor Latin Americans don't have bank accounts? Or that many have never applied for a car loan or owned a house free and clear? Introducing new immigrants to U.S. banking practices needs to begin at the most elementary level. This would make an excellent addition to a job orientation for a first-generation immigrant Hispanic work force.

Did you know … that instead of resenting uniforms, many Hispanics feel that uniforms give a person a professional look and feel? Especially uniforms which are clean, well cared-for and freshly pressed. A dress code serves as a visual display of the status and responsibility of each level of hierarchy on the job.