Managing today's immigrants
Article Abstract:
The influx of immigrants to the US poses a great challenge to human resources (HR) professionals. It is estimated that the American labor force grows by about 30% to 40% annually due to the arrival of millions of foreign nationals. These new Americans require training for skills and language proficiency that differ markedly from the training needs of US-born employees. The first and most important issue that HR practitioners need to address is breaking down the language barrier. To help their foreign workers gain proficiency in English, many companies are introducing literacy programs. Another key consideration is overcoming cultural barriers. Unlike Americans who are individualistic and believe that their responsibility is to their jobs, majority of immigrants are group-oriented and value their families above their work. Diversity training and cross-cultural orientations should help bring harmony to a diverse workforce.
Publication Name: Personnel Journal
Subject: Human resources and labor relations
ISSN: 0031-5745
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Hotel breathes life into hospital's customer service
Article Abstract:
The partnership between New York City's The Pierre Hotel and New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center has enabled the medical facility to offer outstanding customer service as well as excellent health services. The partnership began in 1991 when entrepreneur Herbert Slotnick got a good opportunity to compare customer service in the two New York institutions when his cancer-stricken wife was confined at the New York Hospital while he stayed at The Pierre to be near her. Noting that the personnel attention showered on him by the hotel was lacking in the hospital, he brokered a partnership between the two and went on to prove that it is possible for hospitals to excel at both medical service and personal service. The collaboration has helped New York Hospital turn its $57-million loss in 1988 to a $2-million profit in 1991.
Publication Name: Personnel Journal
Subject: Human resources and labor relations
ISSN: 0031-5745
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The traffic trap
Article Abstract:
Many companies are offering employees options that will help reduce traffic congestion. The options include carpools, vanpools, flexible working hours, telecommuting programs, shuttle services, and gifts for ride-sharing. Hewlett-Packard's On the Move program, for example, offers such alternatives as discounts on transit passes, seminars about new services, and carpool matching. Pacific Bell's alternatives include subsidies for bus service, telecommuting programs, and flexible working hours.
Publication Name: Personnel Journal
Subject: Human resources and labor relations
ISSN: 0031-5745
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Learning to change organisations. Assessment centres as the route to competence
- Abstracts: Can Britain manage a national minimum wage? How centralised is the management of industrial relations? Single table talk
- Abstracts: Personnel management in Denmark: the land of social welfare. From Russia in quest of management skills
- Abstracts: Using incentives to reward and motivate employees. A match for the crowd. Tapping hidden skills
- Abstracts: Look who's talking. Kids-to-Go. American opts for flex