Failing to ensure the language needs addressed in various regulations are met often results in legal and financial consequences. However, even when not covered by applicable law, failing to provide proper language support can open organizations up to various challenges, including discrimination lawsuits.
In the US, at least 350 languages are spoken in homes. Additionally, an estimated 25+ million individuals are considered to have limited English proficiency, representing approximately 9 percent of the broader US population.
While some companies assume that their language-related responsibilities involve strictly English, that isn’t necessarily the case. Certain regulations – such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – extend language requirements for any organization that received federal financial assistance.
By partnering with a language services provider, you can ensure that you have the right documentation available in any needed language. Along with protecting your company from discrimination lawsuits and charges, it allows your organization to provide a higher level of service to LEP individuals.
If you’re wondering how translation services can assist, here’s an overview of common situations where having one matters.
Ensuring Nondiscrimination with Translation Services
Medical and Healthcare Environments
Any healthcare organization that receives federal funding from any source – including Medicare payments – needs a translator to ensure LEP patients have access to critical health information. Treatment plan documents, discharge instructions, and any other written communication that can be provided in a patient’s preferred language should be translated.
Along with increasing the odds of full understanding before treatment begins and that after-care protocols will be followed, translated medical documents provide the patient with a better overall experience. Many view translations as a sign of care and respect, as well as an effort to stay on the right side of the law.
Workplaces and Employee Documentation
The documentation provided to employees in a workplace should be made available in several languages. Many companies hire workers with limited English proficiency or who are simply more comfortable with another language. Since employee documentation – such as job applications, handbooks, safety notices, and contracts – are vital in the workplace, using translated versions to ensure complete understanding is essential.
Additionally, translated documents help ensure that US employers aren’t using discriminatory practices. Specific forms of language discrimination are violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Others – while not explicitly outlined in a regulation – create unsafe or unfair conditions for employees who don’t speak English as their first language, leaving employers open to lawsuits.
Legal Services Organizations
In the legal services sector, a lack of accurate translations can lead to accusations of discrimination. If you have an LEP client, failing to provide information in their preferred language could result in a lack of understanding about the nature of the situation, charges being levied, or similar details. As a result, the client may make decisions based on misunderstood information or may be ill-equipped to determine if a legal professional’s advice is sound or approach meets their needs.
Since an accurate understanding is often critical in legal proceedings, failing to provide translations could leave legal services providers open to discrimination lawsuits. This is particularly true if there’s a poor outcome where a client’s lack of knowledge due to the absence of any translations is a significant factor. However, it can occur in any situation where discrimination may have played a role, regardless of its nature or the ultimate outcome of any proceedings.
Other Service-Oriented Industries
Any company that engages with the public – either in-person or through other means – should explore the value created by accurate translations. By having critical documentation available in every major language represented in the service area, organizations can ensure that all customers are well-informed. Plus, it’s a chance to improve the overall experience, which can boost your reputation among various communities in the vicinity.
Do You Need a Dependable, Professional Translator?
Ultimately, accusations of discrimination can impact any business. Fortunately, by offering accurate translations when needed, you can comply with various laws and showcase your company as conscientious and inclusive.
The Acutrans team can provide you with top-tier certified document translations quickly and efficiently, often within 24 hours. Along with general translations, Acutrans has specialized translation services focused on several niches – including medical, legal, and technical – ensuring your translator has the proper knowledge and expertise for your sector.
Acutrans also offers post-editing machine translation services, giving you a straightforward way to ensure the accuracy of any machine translations. Plus, Acutrans has localization services, allowing you to target written content to a particular locale, dialect, or audience.
If you also need reliable, professional interpreters, too, Acutrans can help. Acutrans offers video remote, over-the-phone, and on-site interpretation services in 200 languages. Overall, our team can cover nearly any interpretation need, ensuring you can easily communicate with customers, clients, patients, job candidates, or employees.
For a leading language services provider you can count on, turn to Acutrans. Contact us for a free quote today.