Cardboard Factory Hires Interpreters, Builds Bilingual Culture to Recruit and Retain Growing Spanish-Speaking Workforce
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DS Smith cardboard factory in Lebanon, IN hired 3 full-time Spanish interpreters, 1 per shift, to help hire and retain growing number of Spanish-speaking workers
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Move aims to adapt to changing IN demographics and compete amid tight labor market; helped increase Spanish-speaking workers from 7% to 35%
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Interpreters help interview, orient new hires, translate policies/safety information, enabling equal opportunities
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Bilingual culture being built - communal kitchen has Mexican, Venezuelan dishes; meetings held in both languages
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Factory becoming more inclusive, helping Spanish speakers advance while Americans learn some Spanish