Many workplace incidents can be avoided by tailoring communications to the specific language needs and abilities of employees. 46. Employers must work with employees to determine the most appropriate communication methods for the workplace. There are several factors to consider when deciding on the best approach, including: • the type of information being communicated • the number of people to be informed • the range of languages involved.
47. Depending on the resources available and the proportion of employees who do not speak English, consider sharing information through:
• individual sessions • practical demonstrations
• group sessions provided in English, but with extra time set aside for explanation and questions.
48. In addition to these methods, if there are a large number of employees from a particular language group, consider:
• holding meetings in the relevant language
• providing written translations
• translating safety signs.
49. While each workplace is different and will have different communication needs, there are a number of guiding principles that need to be considered when communicating across languages.