Talk by Hector Escarcega

SPALW Conference November, 2004

Introductions

U.S has a Very Large Latino Workforce and Will Continue to Grow

This U.S. Latino Workforce Suffers a Very High Fatality Rate

The Results are: Uneccessary Loss of Human Life , Serious Losses to Organizations & Companies

Loss to U.S. Economy

Purpose: Is to:

Provide You With Information That Will Give You a Better Understanding of the Latino Workforce

Show You How Values, Traditions, and Culture in the Latino Workforce Can Have Influence on Safety & Productivity in the workplace.

 

 

Statistics on Latino Population in U.S.

Mor e than 38 million Hispanics living in US

This represents 13% of Nations Population

By 2050 Hispanics will compromise 25% or 96 million people

The U.S. is More Like a Mix Salad: Why do People Come to the U.S. ?

To Avoid Political Oppression & Economic Hardship. Make A Better Life.

Nearly Everyone Here in U.S. Can Trace Their Heritage to Another Land

Immigrants from Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Central America & Mexico. Etc.

Latinos Make up 11% of the US Workforce

Unfortunately, Latinos make up 14% of the Fatality Rate

Well over 30% of the workforce in Southern California is Latinos

· Language Barrier (English vs. Spanish) Illiteracy

· Lack of Understanding of Culture, Values Traditions by Employer

· Inappropriate and Poor Training for This Workforce by Employer

· Lack of Awareness Regarding This Issue

Chile Bolivia

Nicaragua Ecuador

Argentina Puerto Rico

México Guatemala

El Salvador Cuba

Colombia

Venezuela

People from Mexico (Mexicans) make up 65% of the Latinos in US

Puerto Ricans 12%

Cuba 5%

Central America 6%

American Born are More Individualistic. Gain Identity From Accomplishments

This Cultural Feature Sets Them Apart From 70% of the Rest of the World.

New Immigrants Tend to be Collective in Nature & Gain Their Identity From Group as a Whole.

This is a Key Element in How to Understand Cultural Diversity & How to Communicate & Motivate Different Ethnic Groups.

What is Important to Your Latino Workforce?

La Familia ( Family )

Respeto ( Respect )

Educacion ( Education)

Religion / Holidays

Why Do Latino’s Have Accidents?

Fear of reprimand

Fear of Deportation

Desperate to the point that they are willing to take big risks

They don’t know any better.

 

 

 

 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:

5-Self Actualization

4-Self Esteem/ Recognition

3-Socialization/ Sense of Belonging

2-Safety & Security

1-Physiological Needs

CASE STUDIES: How Would You Handle the Following Situations?

Words 7%

Voice 38%

Body Language 55%

Eyes, Face, Body Posture

Learn values, customs, traditions (family, holidays)

Get to know "one on one basis" (name,smile)

Offer positive feedback/ show how to

Create dialogue

Educate them on policies

Provide training in: orientation, safety, goals ( Illiteracy )

Offer ESL

Treat fairly

Let them know its okay to Communicate

 

Acknowledge,Appreciate and Celebrate Our Own Cultural Differences

Learn, Respect and Celebrate Other’s Cultural Differences

Ask Questions/ Listen Actively

Correctly Interpret Their Behavior

Share and Explain Your Concerns and Expectations

Find Common Ground/ OK to Agree to Disagree

 

 

 

By Understanding who they are as a Culture

Use Body Language to Communicate

Effective Communication and Training

Closing Remarks Q&A