The Art of Communication: - Derry City Council

The findings of this study suggest that the delivery of the associated Environmental Healthregulatory framework is conducted predominately on the terms set down by EnvironmentalHealth departments, largely without effective consideration of the ‘unique’ needs andrequirements of Chinese employers. In essence, there is a lack of a balance being struckbetween the operational considerations of Environmental Health departments and thespecific needs and rights of Chinese employers operating EMBs. This research has shownthat both EHOs and Chinese employers face real difficulties communicating effectively underthe current arrangements and that both recognise the need for positive change in orderto help improve this situation. Focus group discussions indicated that EHOs believe thatEnvironmental Health management commitment is needed and that, while all stakeholdershave responsibilities, management must provide the support needed to facilitate positivechange.Issues uncovered were found to be intricate e.g. teasing out the balance between operationalenforcement requirements and Equality and Good Relations obligations, and multi-layerede.g. simply translating information was found not always to be associated with improvedcompliance. Certain issues were found to be subtle in nature, e.g. cultural differences such asthe relative weight given to non-verbal communication by the respective parties. Other issueswere so well embedded that they have become accepted norms, e.g. ongoing communicationin English to a significant amount of Chinese employers who can at best, only respond in‘broken English’.Evidence of much good will between EHOs and Chinese employers was uncovered. Equally,much frustration was found to exist among Chinese employers and EHOs regarding thestate of current shared communications. From within Environmental Health a need fora corporate, cohesive approach to be taken in order to drive much needed and desiredimprovements was identified. The findings regarding the lack of awareness from EHOs aboutcouncil policies and procedures support the need for improvements in this area.A need for Chinese employers to play their full part in effectively contributing towards, whatis, after all, a shared communication experience was also highlighted. Some trepidation, andpossibly cynicism, was evident from within elements of each group, although a positive aspectis that much creative thought was present that manifested in many novel/innovative ideasbeing generated in an attempt to offer constructive solutions. Overall, the collective mooddisplayed was one of openness to positive change, albeit tempered by a degree of uncertaintyaround issues such as cost, time and consistency.34The Art of Communication: A landscape shared between regulator and ethnic employer