The Cultural and Working Experience of Foreign Workers in Australia

 

As you can imagine, Australia provides vastly different cultural and working experiences for most foreign workers. Settling into Australia may not be as easy as you or your workers anticipate when they excitedly leave home for their Australian adventure, and happily join your business.

From language barriers, to cultural shock, different work practices, and difficulty maintaining relationships back home, new Australian visa holders may experience an array of negative emotions arising from the new situations they find themselves in, including their new work place.

 

Language Barriers

One of the most common issues foreign workers face is a language barrier. This can prevent effective communication between you and your employees, which can lead to misunderstandings and a feeling of isolation. Additionally, a language barrier can make it difficult for your employees to understand important work-related information, such as safety procedures. To overcome this, you may need to provide translated information or hire a bilingual staff member who can help facilitate communication.

 

Cultural Shock

Cultural shock is another common issue faced by foreign workers. This is often caused by the differences in work culture between their home country and Australia. For example, foreign workers may be used to a more hierarchical work structure where they are expected to show deference to their superiors. In contrast, the Australian workplace is generally more egalitarian and informal. This can be confusing and frustrating for foreign workers who are used to a different way of doing things. It is important to be patient and help your employees adjust to the new work culture. You may also need to provide additional training on Australian workplace culture and expectations.

 

Different Work Practices

Another issue foreign workers may face is that the work practices in Australia are different from those in their home country. For example, many countries have strict laws governing employee breaks, vacation days, and working hours. In contrast, Australian workplaces typically have more flexible rules on these things. This can be confusing for foreign workers who are used to a more regulated work environment. It is important to explain these differences to your employees so that they know what to expect. Additionally, you should make sure that your employees understand any relevant workplace laws and regulations.

 

Maintaining Relationships Back Home

Maintaining relationships back home can be difficult for foreign workers due to the time difference between Australia and many other countries. For example, if your employees are from Europe or Asia, they may need to stay up late or get up early in order to talk to family and friends back home. This can lead to fatigue and isolation over time. Additionally, maintaining relationships back home can be expensive due to the cost of international call rates and airfares. You can help your employees maintain their relationships back home by providing paid leave for annual trips back home, as well as access to communication technologies they prefer to use.

 

Conclusion

Working in Australia can be a great experience for foreign workers , but it is important to be aware of the challenges that they may face . By supporting your employees through these challenges, you can help them settle into their new life in Australia successfully. Additionally, by complying with Australian employment laws, you can help ensure that everyone enjoys a safe, fair, and positive working experience.