Paying Premium for Speaking Spanish???

[Sheila K]

My boss is thinking about starting to pay a premium to our employees who speak Spanish...We have a high percentage of spanish-speaking customers.

Does anyone do that? How do you administer? How do you qualify? How much do you pay???

HELP!?!?!?!?!?!

[GBurns]

Better question. How does he plan to get away with it? Legally, ethically etc etc.???

[david rigby]

Might be perfectly legitimate if the ER has certain positions that require bi-lingual ability. Probably should have well-defined job descriptions.

[actuarysmith]

This does not seem to me to be a discrimination issue (i.e. some class being denied something based upon race, gender, creed, religion, etc.).

Why shouldn't an employer be able to pay a "premium" to employees that have education, training, or a skill that allows them to provide a higher level of service to their clients?

Isn't that basically the same thing as paying someone more because they hold a CPA, EA, CEBS, or MBA designation?

In this case, the employee has additional education and/or training in a specific language. That skill is considered desireable in attracting and retaining clients for the firm.

As to how much to pay - pay enough to attract the number of personnel you require to get the job done while retaining a reasonable profit margin (i.e. supply and demand 101)

[GBurns]

It is more than laughable that someone would compare the speaking of a language with an advanced degree.

The "skill" of speaking another language is no different from the skill of being able to speed read. Would you pay an employee who does an equal job different from another because they could read faster and therfore could process customers faster?

The rule is equal pay for equal job. If the employer makes it a special job then he could get away with it.

Look at job ads. Why do you think that most of the time they state bi-lingual preferred and not required?

[Guest Bandb]

GBurns - either you are an accomplished multilinguist, or you have no appreciation for those who are.

Laughable? Offer up the chance for a young manager to get his MBA or spend nights and weekends studying Chinese. Which do you think he'll choose.

If the ability to write and converse in another language adds to a person's skill set, it can and will be compensated.

[actuarysmith]

I was not trying to equate earning an advanced degree with speaking another language in terms of effort or dedication required.

I was simply trying to point out that if ANY characteristic possessed by an employee (that is not illegal, immoral, discriminatory, etc. etc.) makes an employee able to provide better service, or operate more efficiently - then there should be not qualms about being able to compesate them more.

P.S. I have advanced degrees, including several different actuarial credentials. I know a little something about the effort required. I also know people who have studied foreign languages. I can assure you that it can take years to become proficient in another language. I don't see such an incredibly large difference between the two as you seem to think.................

[Guest llerner]

Speaking a language is an additional skill set that typically requires extra work from that employee. If for example, 401(k) presentations or benefits presentations are given to clients in Spanish by a fully fluent English and Spanish employee who does this in addition to their job function, common sense dictates that a premium or bonus should be paid.

With the ENRON situation, even the IRS has produced announcements in Spanish for the very first time. I am sure that the translation was not free.

Sounds like some of the readers are resenting this and do not want to recognize the ability to speak another language in addition to English as a skill. If the employer needs this skill and is in a better competitive position with clients, why not? Also, much more explanation and time is required when explaining benefits to employees who have never had any instruction whatsoever.

Any marketable skill that an employer wants is valuable. Also, there are many positions that do "require" Spanish - look at the benefitslink ads from time to time regarding 401(k) Spanish required presentors.

[mbozek]

Paying extra money for an additional qualification or skill is a universal practice by employers. It it legitimate if it relates to the employer's business. Paying extra for bilingual language proficiency is no different than paying a worker extra if he/she has license to operate heavy equipment vehicle or commercial truck in addition to a driver's license or other special skill that facilitates the employer's business.

[Guest llerner]

Going back a bit, what is the typical differential ( or is there one)?

[mroberts]

That would most likely be a case by case or company by company determination. For example, if you're only going to have minimal contact with Hispanic customers then you probably shouldn't be paid as much as someone who's going to have constant contact with Hispanic customers. Supply and demand is going to be a big factor as well.

[Guest OscarD]

I've been in the Spanish Retirement Service arena for over a decade and agree with MRoberts... it depends on the volume of contact and use of the skills. However, when the person is expected to use their skill on a regular basis, I've seen premiums for bi-lingual native Spanish enrollers and customer service reps (and well deserved that is) ranging from 7-10% pay differential.

Oscar