When hiring and training new Hispanic employees, there are several tasks to accomplish in short order. First on the checklist is usually to complete paperwork and to arrange for housing, if that's something your farm offers as a benefit. If the new employees do not have access to a car, then many employers will want to make sure the workers have appropriate work clothing and enough food on hand for their first days on the job. Depending on which jobs you assigned to the new employees and how many people will be involved in training them, important bits and pieces of information can sometimes fall through the cracks. Be sure to keep the lines of communication open so that everyone involved in welcoming and training a new employee (owners, managers & employees) knows what their role is.

Do you frequently make deductions to your employees' paychecks? Make sure you are in compliance with NYS Department of Labor laws. Section 193 of the New York State Labor Law, which explains the ins and outs of wage deductions, was recently changed significantly. Apart from governmental deductions (taxes, child support, etc), any other deductions must be for the benefit of the employee and must be authorized in writing by the employee. It is a common practice to deduct a uniform fee, a repayment for a loan or a broken gate, etc., but unless the employee signs a document agreeing to this, it is illegal! You must keep records of wage deductions on the farm during the employees' time at the business and for six years after they leave the farm. For more information on wage deductions, visit this website: Deduction from Wages

What are some of the most important things for your new employees to understand about their job and your business in general? Hispanic employees are often shocked to learn just how much money a farm could lose for the simple mistake of milking a treated cow into the bulk tank. The worst case scenario, of course, is that the mistake goes unnoticed and the milk gets shipped. If the contamination is first detected at the plant, the farm incurs a heavy fine. However, if your workers alert you while the milk is still in the farm tank tests can determine whether or not it is safe to ship. If the milk has already shipped, you can at least alert the cooperative. Fines are generally less severe in this case. Whatever the specific regulations of your milk cooperative are, you should explain to your employees what the possible consequences are and encourage them to come forward if they make a mistake or notice someone else making a mistake in the parlor. New employees tend to be especially cautious and may be hesitant to speak up about making a mistake they think could result in their dismissal.

A few other topics you might want to discuss with a new employee are animal welfare, milk quality bonuses, requirements for getting a raise or other benefits you offer. The next time you have a new employee starting out on your farm, consider the above suggestions to make sure you provide the tools they need to succeed.