When hiring temporary or permanent foreign workers, employers owe it to themselves to take the necessary precautions to ensure that a proper working relationship is established. This means that all relevant documentation is kept in check, and the new worker is comfortably assimilated in their position. For employers looking to hire foreign workers, here are four key things to keep in mind.
Respect Local Labor and Employment Laws
Immigration employment ads don’t tell employers everything they need to know about hiring foreign laborers. Depending on the district in question, employers are responsible to check with their local employment laws when validating a foreign candidate. Occupational aspects such as holiday, overtime and vacation pay as well as human rights, job security during statutory leaves, and occupational safety all fall under labor and employment laws. It’s important to note that, if the workplace in question is unionized, foreign workers employed on a temporary basis will normally be compelled to join the union. In cases where a union has not been previously established, all foreign workers have the right to form or join a union. Employers should familiarize themselves with local legislation in order to be prepared with any additional protections that their new employee is entitled to.
Keep all Information During the Interview Relevant
Employers owe it to themselves to subject foreign employment candidates to the same sort of scrutiny that country-born citizens are met with. It’s important for employers to determine whether their candidate is legally authorized to work in the country, and whether they read, speak, and write the necessary language(s) fluently. That said, there’s no reason for employers to ask their candidates any personal questions that don’t directly relate to the position, such as questions related to country of origin, age, sexuality, nationality, and race.
Hold the Necessary Documents
After immigration authorization has been confirmed and the foreign worker in question has been effectively hired, it’s crucial for employers to retain the work permit and immigration compliance file related to the worker in order to ensure that all relevant expiry dates are kept in check, and all necessary approvals are effectively extended. Depending on the district, some laws require that an employer retain certain records related to the hiring of foreign workers for a certain amount of time. In any case, it’s recommended that employers retain all relevant documentation that relates to the contracting of a foreign worker for a minimum period of six years.
Keep Workplace Discrimination in Check
An optimal workplace is a workplace void of discrimination in any form. This applies to native English speakers who initiate a new foreign employee, as well as a group of foreign employees who discuss among themselves in their own language.
