Part 1 – The impact of unconscious bias in the workplace

Academic qualifications are generally necessary to be able to acquire the job you want. The competences and skills that are developed through years of study may vary from country to country. This is because education systems are different in all countries of the world and have different ways of thinking about education, different ways of assessment and different ways of dividing up studies.

These differences are noticeable at all levels of education. Sometimes, when hiring a person coming from another country, the company may doubt the skills and knowledge of the employee due to these educational differences.

Stereotypes that may exist towards a person with an academic degree from another country are numerous due to educational differences. In the workplace, migrants and people with a migration background are often exposed to numerous stereotypes about their culture and skills that prevent them from having the same recruitment opportunities as a local person. However, there are solutions that can be applied by the company and employees to eradicate them.

What to do in this case?

First of all, from the employee’s point of view, we must consider whether the target organisation or company will need a translation of our academic qualifications before hiring us. If so, it will be necessary to contact a sworn translator who will translate the document and sign and/or stamp it. From the company’s point of view, we will have to take into account other factors in addition to the possession of an academic degree at any level. In this case, the company must take into account the skills and abilities of the worker regardless of his or her origin.

 

But, how do we bridge the gap between the skills of each country?

Sworn translators are professionals and experts in translating documents and/or reports issued by institutions, government bodies, official entities or competent authorities. They are in charge of translating the content of the document in question and of meeting all the translation challenges involved in such a translation.

Therefore, in order for any academic qualification to be valid in any foreign country, the qualifications must be recognised so that the skills acquired are also recognised. For this reason, a sworn translation can be necessary. Sworn translators are professionals and experts in translating documents and/or reports issued by institutions, government bodies, official entities or competent authorities and all translation problems such as the calculation of grades, credits, etc. will be solved by the translator. The translator will not only translate the content of the document to be translated, but will also attest to the veracity of the document.

Translators and interpreters are a bridge between cultures and help to solve these and similar problems. However, the language itself in which to communicate can be a problem in a new job. It can be of great help for companies to offer or advise on some language classes so that they can integrate better and feel equally welcomed by all employees. In addition, this would foster trust on the part of the company and show great commitment on the part of the employee.