Who is a Hispanic? Understanding Multi-Cultural Issues in the Workplace Presentation to Chesapeake Region Safety Council October 3, 2012 Hispanic or Latino is a member of an ethnic group that traces its roots to 20 Spanish speaking nations Includes persons from Mexico, South America, Central America, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and any other country where Spanish is the primary language. Presented By: Adolfo Arsuaga, MS, CRC, CRP 2 Hispanic Americans by Number Facts & Figures As of July 1 st 2009: 48.4 million* Hispanics constitute for 16% of the US total population U.S. has the 2nd largest Spanish speaking population in the world (Exceeded only by Mexico, 111 million) Hispanics are the largest minority In 2008, 66% of Hispanic origin people in the U.S. were of Mexican background 9% Puerto Rican 3.4% Cuban & Salvadoran 2.8% Dominican Remainder consists of other Central or South American or other Hispanic origin U.S. Census Bureau 2009 Percentages of Hispanics in Virginia Virginia: 6.3% of population County Break Down Prince William: 19.1% Arlington: 15.8% Fairfax: 12.9% Loudoun: 9.7% Hampton Roads: 9.0% Henrico: 3.4% Percentages of Hispanics in Maryland Maryland: 6.0% of population County Break Down Montgomery: 13.8% Prince Georges: 11.7% Frederick: 5.2% Howard: 4.3% Baltimore: 2.7% 1
Percentages of Hispanics in D.C. District of Columbia: 8.2% of population Study of Hispanic Workers Conducted by: The American Journal of Industrial Medicine Most Hispanic construction workers were born outside of the United States 1/3 have been here for less then 3yrs 1/3 only speak Spanish 10 times more likely to drop out of school by the 9 th grade. Hispanic workers are dying on the job at a higher rate than other workers Higher Rate of Injuries for Hispanics? Switching from agricultural work to construction without proper training Typically younger (less experienced) Little to no ability to speak / understand English Lack of training in running heavy machinery and equipment Lack of compliance with safety regulations Working labor intensive jobs Hispanics in the Job Market Construction Landscaping Housekeeping Food / Cleaning Services Manufacturing Culture Bates and Plog (1990, p. 28) define culture as: A system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that members of a group use to cope with the world and one another, and that are transmitted from one generation to another through learning Acculturation Persons of Different Cultures Are Gradually Socialized into the Dominant Culture in Which They Live Becoming Americanized Some Are Bicultural & Bilingual We Need to Identify Where our Clients are on the Acculturation Scale 2
Language Spanish Many Variations and Derivatives Varies From Country to Country Words May Have Different Meanings Different Accents Castilian Spanish vs. Vernacular Spanish La Familia/Loyalty Close Knit Group and Important Social Unit Includes Blood Relatives and Compadres Important to Identify Others Involved Decisions Are Made As A Group Patient s Problem Put On Hold if There is a Family Crisis Respecto/Bien Educado Emphasized in the Hispanic Community Shown to Elderly and Persons of Authority Addressed With Usted Rather Than Tu Given Titles As Don or Dona Treated First As An Individual La Palabra Negotiate According to Unwritten or Verbal Contacts (Acuerdos) A Person s Word is Binding Uncomfortable with Formal Documents Space & Time Time and Punctuality May Be A Problem Social Gatherings Are Expected to Start Later Than The Announced Time Sign Up To Be Seen Hand Shake or Hug Folk Medicine Curanderos (Healers) Highly Respected Expert Knowledge of Home Remedies and Medicinal Herbs Prayer used alone or with Remedios Espiritistas Communicate With Spirits Santeria-Catholic Saints & African Deities 3
Traditional Family Roles Hispanic Male Taught to the Provider of the Family Woman s Place is in the Home Serious Consequences if Displacement in Family Roles Religion More Than 90% Roman Catholic Health is a gift from God Prevention is accomplished by visiting shrines, offering medals or amulets, and keeping relics at home Many homes have shrines with statues and pictures of saints Nonverbal Behavior Acceptable Silence-May Mean Failure to Understand & Embarrassment About Asking Nod Affirmatively Does Not Mean Agreement Making the Sign of the Cross Avoiding Eye Contact Names: Adolfo Rey Arsuaga Garza Adolfo Rey ( First & Middle Name) Arsuaga (Father s Last Name) Garza (Mother s Last Name) Typical Profile for a Hispanic IW Lack of English proficiency Education Understanding of the WC system Understanding of medical systems Work history A valid work permit What Do You Think?... How many undocumented workers are currently living in the United States per Center of Immigration Studies? Should employers be concerned with their employee s immigration status? 4
Immigration Reform & Control Act (IRCA) Signed into Law November 6, 1986 Unlawful to hire, recruit, or refer undocumented workers for employment Requires those who hire, recruit, or refer to verify eligibility Employer s Responsibility Under the Act Section One: Completed/Signed by employee Section Two: Employer Review & Verification Examine one document from List A / examine one document from List B and one from List C. Employers only review original documents Documents must appear to be reasonably genuine Must be completed on the first day of employment Section Three: Updating & Verification E-Verify: The Web-based Verification Companion to Form I-9 Free to all employers in all 50 states Provides an automated link to federal databases Creates a case in E-Verify providing information from Sections 1 and 2 Employer will receive response confirming documentation or tentative non-confirmation Helpful Hints for Employers Facilitate bilingual safety / training meetings Have safety literature in English and Spanish posted on all job sites Mandatory direct supervision and hands on demonstrations for new workers Mandatory training for all on-site supervisors (especially with modified return to work) Ensure employers are completing I-9 Form 5
Medical & Vocational Case Managers will Direct medical care (where applicable) Develop rapport / trust with IW & their family Explain Work Comp and medical systems Facilitate communication with physician Serve as a liaison with the employer Ensure IW is following treatment plan Assist in coordination of services Verify employment status Refer IW to ESL / Literacy classes if needed Resources National Customer Service Center 800-375-5283 Office of Special Counsel 800-255-8155 E-Verify Customer Support 888-464-4218 Great Resource: Google Muchas Gracias! Preguntas? Presentation By: Adolfo Arsuaga 6