Light Bulb Moment Número 4: Spanish speakers often feel they are easily replaceable and don't understand the cost of turnover

In our last post, we recommended explaining why offering a good benefits package is in an employer’s best interest.  But when it comes to addressing the fact that benefits improve retention, you will need to take a step back.

Spanish speakers very often think that an employer would prefer to replace a higher-paid senior employee with a new-hire who will work for less per hour.   The perception is that, if they were to walk out tomorrow, there would be dozens of candidates lining up to do their job for less.  So telling them that their employer offers good benefits because this will improve retention may make no sense to them.

I have actually had people argue with me on this when I present on this topic in Spanish, telling me it is just simple math and good business:  Of course their employer wants the cheapest possible labor.  I had to do slightly less simple math for this group to show them that retaining employees saves money and that turnover is extremely detrimental to a business.  It took a bit of time, but they got it.  This is a very valuable exercise.

Related: Light Bulb Moments: Tips to engage Spanish speakers

Even if, at the end of it all, employees decide not to participate in benefits, they will at least understand that they are more valuable to their employer than they thought, which improves morale, engagement, and company culture.  And this will be a benefit for everyone in your organization.

Melissa Burkhart is the founder and president of Futuro Sólido, which provides a wide variety of Spanish language services, including written translation, on-site interpretation, and language instruction. They have successfully served such industries as finance, insurance, landscaping, construction, manufacturing, health care, non-profit, and hospitality. To learn more, visit www.futurosolidousa.com.