Solving issues with migrant workers

Fi McKay is New Zealand Immigration's relationship manager for migrant skills retention and is happy to talk to employers about questions they may have about migrant employment. Photo / Yvonne O'Hara.

One of Fi McKay's jobs was to write a description of how to give a good handshake, something that is often an unfamiliar or confusing gesture for some migrants to New Zealand.

She said she had to outline each step, including describing the importance of making eye contact, and why the gesture was important.

Ms McKay is  New Zealand Immigration's relationship manager for migrant skills retention and is based in Dunedin.

She was invited to speak to the Alexandra-Clyde and Districts Business Group's monthly meeting at the Cellar Door last Friday. Her presentation outlined issues employers could expect when employing migrant workers.

She said her role was to advise employers about integrating migrants into the workplace, and how to make existing and new employees more aware of cultural differences.

"It is about integration, not assimilation," Ms McKay said.

Practices and gestures that are commonplace in the New Zealand workplace can be confusing or offensive for some new migrants. That can include swearing and profanity, discussing what someone earns or the terms in their employment contract, or talking about the boss behind their back.

Cultural habits, which are commonplace and acceptable in some Asian countries, can be considered odd or offensive in New Zealand and can include saying yes when you mean no, everyone talking at once during a conversation, and interrupting mid-sentence.

New Zealanders tend to use "softeners" and other indirect communication such as asking someone "Would you like to do this?" rather than the more direct "Do this".

She said it was also important to support the spouse or partner, who might be socially isolated.

She cited a survey which said, in about 90% of the cases, a spouse's isolation or unhappiness was the main reason new migrant workers left to return home. About 52% of migrant employees reported language difficulties and 32% had cultural difficulties, including adjusting to New Zealand workplace culture.

It took about six to 12 months for new employees to develop an ear for Kiwi English.
"Kiwis speak English really fast and Kiwi English is the hardest to understand over the telephone."

Another survey showed people from places such as Malaysia and the Philippines considered status important, as was "following rules to the letter until they get used to the workplace culture".

It also showed people from the United Kingdom and New Zealand were the least respectful of status and adhering to the rules.

"In New Zealand, workers [tend to feel] rules are made to be broken, although that doesn't mean they don't follow them.

"They have respect for rules that make sense."

She said New Zealanders also would respect someone in authority, but they had to earn that respect.

"They tend to want to be left to get on with the job, and someone looking over their shoulder is likely to be called micro-managing and we don't like it."

Ms McKay said she would be keen to talk to employers about any questions or issues they might have about employing overseas workers.

yvonne.ohara@alliedpress.co.nz