By Chuck Ross
Hispanic workers have played a big role in the construction industry's recent expansion, and their importance shows no sign of diminishing, even as the industry takes a breather. However, language and cultural differences can pose barriers for managers seeking to employ Hispanics, and, in some cases, have led to worker injuries. But taking the time to understand these workers' backgrounds — and to learn a few words of Spanish — can pay big dividends in safety and productivity.
The U.S. construction industry has benefited greatly from the huge influx of Hispanic workers into this country's job market. Most of the nearly half-million jobs added in the sector between second quarter 2005 and second quarter 2006 have been filled by foreign-born Hispanics, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. Since 2003, nearly 1 million Hispanics have found jobs in the construction industry, which now accounts for approximately 40 percent of all new jobs gained by these workers.
Hispanic culture 101
Language is an obvious challenge to successful communication with Hispanic workers, but a lack of cultural understanding also can be a problem, according to Tom Maloney, a senior extension associate in Cornell University's Department of Applied Economics and Management. He works with employers in upstate New York's agricultural industry and says the respect for hierarchy with which many Hispanic workers are raised can result in miscommunication in U.S. workplaces.
"That can sometimes create a separation between employer and employee, because employees won't always be forthcoming," he says. "There's a real aversion to upsetting the boss."
So, for example, broken equipment may be put away without any notification, only to slow down the next day's work. Maloney suggests managers clearly outline procedures to follow when things go wrong before the fact, so employees don't have to fear they'll be blamed for any problems they report.
Additionally, Maloney suggests supervisors take the time to develop strong relationships with their employees, through such simple activities as saying "good morning" every day or asking about workers' families.
"In Hispanic cultures, building relationships is really important," he says. "Building the relationship, day in and day out, is the most important thing people can do."
Overcoming language hurdles
Cultural issues aside, though, improving language skills on both sides of the employer/employee relationship is key to overcoming communication hurdles, Maloney says. This can involve bringing in a translator or hiring a Spanish-speaking supervisor, or something as low-key as spending time each day learning a few words of each other's language through basic conversation.
"I've seen people overcome the language barrier in a wide variety of ways, but you have to make sure you do it," Maloney says. "You have to make sure that language doesn't become the inhibitor to productivity."
Recognizing the need to improve communication, the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce-development arm of the National Home Builders Association, has begun a new initiative to teach Hispanic construction workers the basic vocabulary they need to succeed on the job.
The program, called Sed de Saber, which means "thirst for knowledge," will be unveiled at the February 2007 International Builders' Show. It's an interactive curriculum based on the popular Leapfrog platform used to teach language skills for schoolchildren. The lessons relate to building jobsite scenarios; are designed for after-hours, independent learning; and are intended to teach spoken and written English up to a third-grade level.
Safety concerns
Improving jobsite safety is a primary motivator for the effort, according to HBI vice president Steve Kramer. Work-related fatalities among Hispanics across all industries reached their highest recorded level in 2005, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, and lack of English-language skills is seen as a major contributor to this increase. The final book in Sed de Saber's seven-book series is based solely on the NAHB/OSHA safety handbook, Kramer says.
In addition to boosting safety efforts, Kramer also sees the program as a possible employee-retention aid. Showing this kind of interest in improving a worker's job performance and overall life skills could help an employer's dedication to bettering that employee's life. Kramer and Maloney agree that Hispanic workers value this kind of proven loyalty to raising their quality of life.
"The culture is very family focused — the loyalty factor is definitely there," Kramer says. "That's a phenomenal quality that we can seize."
Chuck Ross is a freelance writer based in Brewster, Mass.
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