In the intricate tapestry of any organization, the Human Resources department stands as the crucial thread that weaves together the diverse strands of talent, culture, and productivity. Today, as we embark on a journey to explore the significance of Human Resources Professional Day at Homeland Language Services, we find ourselves in the heart of an essential facet of the corporate world.
Homeland Language Services, a beacon of excellence in the realm of language and cultural services, understands the main role played by its HR professionals. This blog is dedicated to not just commemorating their unwavering dedication but also to shed light on the multifaceted responsibilities they shoulder, their pivotal contributions to the organization’s success, and the impact they make on every employee’s professional journey.
“The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don’t feel valued, neither will your customers.” – Sybil F. Stershic
To gain a deeper understanding of the HR Profession, we spoke with our COO and Co-founder, Ernesto Lanazca:
What are the challenges for the HR team in the language industry?
– The language industry is a fast-growing and dynamic sector that offers many opportunities for HR professionals. However, it also poses some unique challenges that require careful planning and management. Some of the challenges for HR departments in the language industry today are:
- Recruiting and retaining qualified linguists:
The language industry relies on skilled and experienced linguists who can provide high-quality translation, localization, interpretation, and other language services. HR professionals need to develop effective recruitment strategies, such as leveraging social media, referrals, and professional networks, to attract and engage potential candidates.
- Culture
More than half of the 5,000 respondents to a 2020 survey say company culture is more important than higher pay in determining job satisfaction. Furthermore, more than 75% of people around the globe would consider a company’s culture before applying for a job.
- Managing a diverse and remote workforce:
The language industry often involves working with linguists from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, who may have different expectations and preferences regarding work styles, communication, feedback, and performance. HR professionals need to foster a cohesive and inclusive company culture that respects and values diversity and promotes collaboration across teams.
- Work-Life Balance
The pandemic brought far greater emphasis to employees’ work-life balance, and that won’t go away anytime soon. Nearly half of companies have now implemented flexible work schedules.
- Cross-Generational Team Building
Today’s workforce often encompasses multiple generations. The upside? Organizations gain a broader range of ideas for solving problems. However, different age groups can vary in their approaches to technology, how they interact with others, and their work-life balance.
- Recruitment
As the company’s eye continues growth, an effective recruiting strategy is imperative. One step is meeting potential candidates where they are. This requires recruiting using multiple social media and job posting sites and holding remote interviews via video conferencing applications.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Approximately 90% of organizations have a diversity recruiting strategy for the college class of 2021. Most will focus their initiatives on hiring African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and women. These organizations understand that diversity and inclusion aren’t simply feel-good initiatives but help boost organizational performance.
- Retention
Staffers are spending less time at companies than ever before. At any time, nearly three-quarters of employees are open to new opportunities, and about one-third are actively looking. To improve employee retention, most organizations need to boost employee engagement.
International HR Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of our HR functions and their impact on the overall success of our businesses. Emphasizing the critical role, they play in aligning human capital with business objectives, not to mention their tireless efforts in creating a positive work environment and encouraging our greatest asset – Our employees.
To our remarkable HR team and their ongoing journey towards excellence, thank you for being the driving force behind Homeland Language Services’ success.
To understand more the role of Talent Acquisition Specialist we talked to Camila Rivas, who works in our incredible HR team.
– What inspired you to become part of the HR team, and how did you get started in the field?
– To ensure a safe and inclusive workplace while addressing language barriers and cultural differences, these steps are essential:
- Inclusive policies and procedures: review and update HR policies to ensure they are inclusive, promoting equal opportunities and fair treatment for all employees.
- Diverse hiring practices: implement hiring practices that focus on qualifications and skills to attract and select a diverse range of candidates.
- Cultural celebrations and events: celebrate cultural events and holidays, showing the diverse backgrounds of employees and promoting appreciation for differences
- Conflict resolution: offer conflict resolution training and mediation resources to address any particular situation employees may face.
