Latino Culture: A Dynamic Force in the Changing American Workplace

In 2003, Latinos became the largest minority group in the United States and, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, they will represent close to twenty five percent of the population by 2050. Latinos currently have the highest rate of employment of any U.S. minority, and in five years their role in the American labor force will be even more prominent. Latino Culture: A Dynamic Force in the Changing American Workplace is the first book to fully explore the nuances of Latino culture in the workplace. Written by Francia Baez and Nilda Chong-one of the eighty Elite Latinas named by Hispanic Business magazine-Latino Culture is for mainstream managers, supervisors and employees who work with Latinos.First-generation Latinas and successful professionals, Chong and Baez bring a profound understanding of the experience of working with Latinos as well as working as Latinos in the United States. Chong and Baez provide valuable insights into key aspects of their culture, such as Latino values, communication styles, gender issues in the workplace, relationship styles and generational differences. Colorful vignettes, real life stories and cultural pointers reveal the diversity of Latino culture, illuminating the differences in values, education, origin and many other factors. Latino Culture celebrates an extremely diverse and important population in the United States today.The fact that Latino Culture is written by Hispanics/Latinas is by itself a major step in cultural self-definition--Latinos talking about Latinos, analyzing their own culture from within. This is a fresh perspective that complements writings by non-Latin Americans about the region. This book presents a wonderful opportunity for people of non-Latin American background to take a deeper look into the values that make Hispanic/Latinos a different group by discussing their preferences, motivations, expectations and the impact of some of their cultural traits in the US workplace.-Rossana Miranda-Johnston, dialogin.comContentsIntroduction1 Who are Latinos?2 Latino Diversity3 Cultural Values Relevant to the Workplace4 Communication Style of Latinos5 Gender Issues in the Workplace6 Understanding Latinos' Style at Work7 Contrasting Aspects of Latino and Mainstream Culture8 Latinos as Supervisors, Employees, and Colleagues9 Specific Situations in the Work EnvironmentConclusionBibliographyAbout the AuthorsIndex