As an employee relations coordinator, I handle various employee-related tasks such as recruitment, support, employee concerns, orientation, and an employee recognition program. Most importantly, and my personal favorite, I help develop a relationship between the employee and the employer.

ELM has a large number of Hispanic employees, and I’ve made it my personal goal to help break the ice between them and the company. Helping to interview those who don’t speak English is very important as I aim to gain their trust and to help them see that ELM is not just looking for workers … we are looking for employees who can be trusted and want to become part of our ELM family by helping our company and themselves grow.

Opening communication

As a Hispanic person, I know it’s hard to come to a country where you don’t know the language or culture, but nonetheless need to establish a life.

Even though the landscape and snow industries involve outside work, there is always the potential for a wall between an employee and a manager – and it all comes down to the language. Many employees are afraid to speak up because they don’t know how.

Since it is out of their comfort zone, I’ve made it my duty to welcome them to a relatable environment and to break the wall between the languages by translating and helping them more freely communicate with their managers. It’s been my pleasure to help them and make that possible at ELM.

Community outreach

It has become very important to ELM to help our Hispanic community. We’ve done partnerships with great communities, helping those who have just come to the country by providing support, orientation and even bringing a smile to their little ones. We have done work training for those who just came from their countries needing a little push toward a job opportunity.

Family atmosphere

The most important value in Hispanic culture is family. ELM values their families with great honor and has made sure that our employees feel at home. I always make sure they know that and help them with guidance, support and with any work-related or personal concerns they may have.

It is very important to me to guide my Hispanic community to a better workplace by providing information on the job, helping them understand the laws, the employee handbook, the rules and everything these involve.

This will help them better understand the work environment that we provide, while also clarifying what we are seeking from them. Hispanics are hardworking people; and we are very proud of the Hispanic community we have at ELM. I help our employees understand that we are a team player, but they end up showing us that in the long run we become a family.

Cindy Monzon is employee relations coordinator for Eastern Land Management based in Stamford, CT. Contact her at cmonzon@easternland.com.