Hello again, my HR friends!
October 28th is National Immigrants Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the incredible diversity that immigrants bring to our nation and, just as importantly, our workplaces. It’s a reminder of the invaluable perspectives, skills, and creativity immigrant employees contribute every day. As HR professionals, this day gives us the chance to reflect on the ways we can help immigrant workers feel welcome, supported, and empowered to thrive. Let’s explore what we can do to strengthen that support and build a workplace where every employee, regardless of their background, is given the opportunity to succeed.
And, as a bonus, I have a strong data point and a strong business case for you.
The Importance of National Immigrants Day
National Immigrants Day has been observed since 1987 to honor the essential role that immigrants have played in building and shaping America. From different corners of the world, immigrants have brought talent, culture, and innovation, contributing to the economic and cultural fabric of the country. For us, as HR professionals, this is a great opportunity to reflect on how we can help immigrants succeed in the workplace and contribute to our organizations’ overall success.
Speaking of immigrants contributing to a company’s overall success…
The Business Case for Immigrant Employment
Before I get to a statistic from one area of contribution by immigrants in U.S. companies, let’s look at soccer. France won the World Cup back in 2018 with a team that was 95% NOT French! French players only made up 5% of the French National Football Team. Nearly 49% of the team came from England (if you also include Wales in that number). The other 45% was represented not just by the rest of Europe but also Latin America and Africa.
That winning World Cup team was a team almost entirely not native to France.
Now for that statistic I promised. It’ll be the only one because there is a lot more ground to cover in this piece.
Immigrants make up 16% of all U.S. inventors. However, that 16% of inventors is responsible for 25% of the value of all patents. In other words, immigrant inventors are providing more value in patented devices and processes than non-immigrants. If I did my math right, each percentage point of inventors that were immigrants created 1.56% of the total U.S. value. By contrast, each percentage point of inventors that were non-immigrants created only 0.89% of the total value. That’s a difference of 0.67% of value per 1% of inventors. Individual patents by immigrants were 47% more valuable than the individual patents of non-immigrants.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should hire only immigrants but that there are strong reasons to provide equal opportunities to them for employment and advancement.
Creating Inclusive Workplaces for Immigrant Employees
Organizations that foster workplace diversity and inclusion are stronger, more innovative, and ultimately more successful. Immigrant employees bring with them new perspectives and a global outlook that can enhance creativity and problem-solving across teams. Here are some practical strategies to support immigrant employment:
- Inclusive Hiring Practices:
- Make sure your hiring practices are accessible to all, including immigrants. Reach out to diverse communities, use inclusive job boards, and provide application materials in multiple languages when needed. During interviews, focus on skills and qualifications, avoiding assumptions or biases that could arise from cultural or language differences.
- Cultural Awareness Training:
- Equip your team with the knowledge to appreciate and understand different cultures. Offering cultural awareness training can help employees and managers recognize the challenges that immigrant employees might face and reduce any unintentional bias. Building cultural competency across the organization fosters respect and better collaboration.
- Mentoring and Career Support:
- Navigating a new workplace in a different country can be daunting. Offering mentorship programs specifically for immigrant employees can help them adjust, grow, and feel more connected. This also helps them advance their careers while tapping into the experiences and wisdom of long-standing employees.
- Language and Communication Assistance:
- For non-native English speakers, providing language support—whether through language classes or simply clear, accessible communication—can make a world of difference. Ensuring your internal communications are straightforward and inclusive will help employees feel more confident and integrated.
Ensuring Equal Opportunities for Immigrant Employees
It’s crucial that immigrant employees have the same opportunities for growth, promotion, and fair compensation as everyone else. While legal compliance is essential—following immigration laws and proper work documentation protocols—going beyond compliance means actively ensuring equal employment opportunities for all.
Here are some ways to create an equitable workplace for immigrant employees:
- Address Pay Gaps: Immigrant employees should be compensated equally for equal work. Regularly evaluate pay structures to make sure no unintentional gaps exist.
- Offer Clear Development Paths: Make sure immigrant employees have access to the same training and development programs as their peers. This ensures they can progress and thrive in your organization.
- Legal Guidance and Support: Navigating work visas and immigration paperwork can be challenging. Partner with legal experts or provide resources to help employees understand their work authorization requirements.
Addressing Bias and Offering Support
Unfortunately, bias and discrimination can still impact immigrant employees. Whether it’s related to ethnicity, language, or immigration status, we must take a proactive stance in addressing these issues. Make it clear that your workplace has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. Offering a safe, open environment for employees to share their experiences or report concerns is key.
Additionally, consider the emotional toll that relocation, family separation, or concerns about immigration status can have on your immigrant employees. Offer mental health resources and provide access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that cater to their unique needs.
Celebrating Diversity on National Immigrants Day and Beyond
While National Immigrants Day is a great time to reflect on how we can better support immigrant employees, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is an ongoing effort. Take the time to celebrate the diversity within your organization—not just on this day, but throughout the year.
Recognize and appreciate the contributions of your immigrant employees by promoting their stories, celebrating cultural heritage days, and fostering a workplace where differences are embraced.
Final Thoughts: Fostering a Workplace Where Everyone Thrives
On National Immigrants Day, let’s take a moment to honor the significant contributions of immigrants, not just to our country, but to our workplaces. By embracing inclusive hiring practices, offering mentorship, addressing bias, and ensuring fair employment practices, HR professionals can help immigrant employees thrive. Let’s use this day as an opportunity to deepen our commitment to diversity and make our workplaces more welcoming for everyone.
Thank you for your continued efforts to foster inclusive, diverse workplaces.
HR Unlimited, Inc. specializes in helping federal contractors and employers effectively meet their AAP and EEO compliance obligations. Please contact us to discuss any of your questions, concerns, or needs in this area.