Helping migrants settle in quickly and smoothly is in everyone’s best interests. Simple, low cost solutions can go a long way. So, what can you do to help?

• Manage expectations well
  From the first contact with your new employee to the time they arrive in New Zealand be positive but be realistic. Don’t promise anything that you – or New Zealand – can’t deliver.
  
• Focus on the family
  If you can provide the migrant and their family with information and insight into the basics like introductions to schools and even employment opportunities for their partner, this will help. A happy, well settled family equals a happy, well settled, productive employee who is more likely to remain loyal.
  
• Access to support networks
  Making support networks available for the migrant and their family prior to their arrival in New Zealand can be invaluable. This will help the migrant to plan their new life as well as creating a support network that operates prior to arrival, when they land and for the crucial few months post-arrival. Settlement Support NZ can assist with this.
  
• Simple steps
  Think about practical steps you can take to help your employee get established. Can you provide flexible working hours at the start to give them time to set up their household?
  
• Value the difference
  Migrants bring with them different ways of thinking and doing. They may have ideas and networks that could benefit your business. Not only could this improve work practices but your new employee could also open up new market opportunities.

Tools you might find useful

Worktalk – This tool is designed to help improve communication between New Zealand employers or managers and new migrant employees from other cultures.

 

Guide for Dairy Farmers Employing Migrant Workers – Practical tips and tools to help employers recruiting migrant workers in the dairy industry.

 

The Settlement Curve – An easy to follow outline of the five stages most new migrants go through. Understanding this can help both the employer and employee to manage these stages as a natural part of successful settlement.

 

The Workplace Settlement Model – A simple diagram illustrating how the different parts of a migrant employee’s new life fit together. You can support your employee to become a high performing staff member.

 

A Welcome that Works!; A 17-minute video introducing the principle and benefits of good settlement practice. An excellent resource for playing to a workforce before a new migrant arrives.

 

The Employer Toolkit PDF [1.3MB] Ten handy flip cards highlighting the differences in communication styles between Kiwis and other cultures that can contribute to incorrect first impressions.