According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population in the United States is projected to triple in size by 2050. The last shift in population of this magnitude occurred when women entered the workforce during World War II. Is your organization tapping into this population for your workforce? If not, consider the following tips to help you recruit and retain employees of this minority group.

According to Adecco International, a human resources solutions organization, Hispanic employees desire the following from their employers:

• Understanding and appreciation of the Hispanic culture
• Opportunities for advancement
• Involvement in the Hispanic community
• Opportunities for training
• Competitive salaries and benefits
• A stable and secure work environment

Recruitment Strategies

To fulfill the needs and wants of Hispanic employees, consider implementing the following at your organization:

• Hire Hispanic employees in all areas of your business, including your executive officers. Working for an organization that has representation of your background in all areas of the business brings a sense of pride and commitment.
• Hire Human Resources professionals who are bilingual.
• Hire bilingual employees in all areas of your
  business.
• Partner with Hispanic organizations in your
  community to gain a greater understanding of the Hispanic workforce.
• Promote your education and training courses (English courses, computer training, etc.) for prospective employees. Also, offering tuition reimbursement and workplace training are valuable in advancing the skills of Hispanic workers.
• Consider endorsing community outreach programs that target young people by sponsoring scholarships, internships, or other programs. Offer a meeting place for Hispanic affinity or
  networking groups. These organizations can assist in your recruitment and retention efforts as a staple of the ethnic group within your company.
• Incorporate the success of your diversity efforts with executive compensation packages to ensure that this becomes a high priority.
• Implement a supplier diversity program in addition to your internal diversity efforts. This will show employees and the community that you are committed to diversity throughout your business practices.
• Start a professional leadership group for Hispanic employees. As this population in your organization grows, so will the efforts of the leadership group.
• Offer mentoring programs by pairing up seasoned workers and newcomers in your organization.
• Provide flexible working arrangements for employees so they can spend time with their families, as the Hispanic culture values familial relationships above many other obligations.
• Publicize the success that your organization has with its diversity efforts. This will demonstrate your commitment to your Hispanic workers throughout the community.

Hispanic employees are a critical part of the work force and will continue to be in the future. As a result, employers must develop proactive approaches to recruiting and retaining those individuals.