Language Barriers & Company Policies

Did you know that certain policies must be translated if 10% or more of your workforce speaks a language other than English? HR Advisors, Inc. can help you create and send the proper documents to your employees, for example, required documents and pamphlets in Spanish.

In California, some of the policies and documents that need to be translated if 10% or more of your workforce speaks another language are:

• The Policy Against Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation (including investigation and complaint procedures)

• Family and Medical Leave

• California Family Rights Act Leave

• Reasonable Accommodation for Employees Disabled by Pregnancy, Pregnancy Disability Leave or Transfer.

• Notice Of Rights, Benefits and Obligations under Worker’s Compensation Law.

While federal and state regulations make it mandatory for some notices and documents be made available in languages other than English, the responsibility ultimately falls on the employer to make sure their employees are aware of their rights and understand any policies, rules and regulations. 

An employee or manager may try to interpret or explain our policies to their coworkers, but it is not recommended since information might get “lost in translation.” Handbook and policy language is not always easy to translate and adding or omitting a certain nuance can lead to miscommunication.