--- title: "Ask the HR Expert: Translating Employee Handbooks into Spanish" description: Learn what to include in employee handbooks and whether or not handbooks should be translated into other languages, such as Spanish. image: https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/_KMJ0100.jpg --- - [Client Portal](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - [Employee Login](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) [![AxcetHR Solutions Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png)](https://www.axcethr.com/) - [About Us](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/) - [Corporate Philantropy](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/corporate-philanthropy/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Values and Culture](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/values-and-culture/) - [Kansas PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/kansas-peo/) - [Missouri PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/missouri-peo/) - [Careers](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - 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[Employee Safety & Risk Management](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-safety-risk-management) - [Employee Benefits](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-benefits) - [All about COVID-19 in the Workplace](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/covid19) - [Kansas & Missouri HR News](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/kansas-and-missouri-hr-news) - [Kansas City Interest News](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/kansas-city-interest-news) - [PEO/HRO](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/peo) - Choose Topic: - [Human Resources](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/human-resources) - Payroll Administrations - [Employee Safety & Risk Management](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-safety-risk-management) - [Employee Benefits](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-benefits) - [PEO](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/peo) # Ask the HR Expert: Translating Employee Handbooks into Spanish By [Jeanette Coleman, SPHR & SHRM-SCP](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/jeanette-coleman) on [Jun 25, 2018](https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish) 2 min read [1 Comment](https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish#comments-listing) Share this: - - - - [whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish](whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish) - [mailto:?subject=Ask%20the%20HR%20Expert:%20Translating%20Employee%20Handbooks%20into%20Spanish&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish](mailto:?subject=Ask%20the%20HR%20Expert:%20Translating%20Employee%20Handbooks%20into%20Spanish&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish) ![Ask the HR Expert: Translating Employee Handbooks into Spanish](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_KMJ0100.jpg?width=2560&name=_KMJ0100.jpg) Recently, we were asked by a client if business owners are required to have their employee handbooks available in different languages, such as Spanish. This is a great question, especially if your business has a workplace in the state of Kansas. According to the [Kansas Health Institute](http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kmuw/files/201806/khf-khi_demographic_report_-_060518.pdf?_ga=2.259278666.1944191352.1529078495-1869216488.1529078495), the Hispanic population in the state is expected to more than double in the next 20 years to 20 percent. Having a handbook prepared and available for this future workforce is a good idea, but is it legally required? Jeanette Coleman, Director of Human Resources for Axcet HR Solutions, weighs in on this subject.  ### **Question:** Are we required to provide our employee handbook in Spanish for Latinx employees? If we have a substantial number of Latino employees, are we required to provide our employee handbook in Spanish? ### **HR Expert Answer** While providing an employee handbook in additional languages – or having an employee handbook at all – is not a requirement, it is a best practice if a significant portion of your workforce is not fluent in English. Generally, if you have 10 percent or more of your workforce speaking a language other than English (in your case, Spanish), we recommend making your handbook available in that language. The same goes for any type of accommodation you may want to make if a substantial number of your employees need it to receive the information in your handbook. This includes writing to a low literacy level or providing it in braille or audiotape for the visually impaired. Also Read: [The Quagmire of HR Compliance Can Make or Break Smaller Companies](https://blog.axcethr.com/the-quagmire-of-hr-compliance-can-make-or-break-smaller-companies) Remember, an employee handbook gives you the best opportunity to clearly communicate your company policies, outline expectations for employees to follow, and help protect you from liability. In some cases, such as with anti-harassment policies, the failure to communicate the policy in the language that your employees speak may increase your risk of liability in the event of a lawsuit. ## **What to Put in Your Employee Handbook** At Axcet HR Solutions, we provide full-service HR services to small and mid-sized businesses including employee handbook creation and updates. To find out more about employee handbooks, download our free report. We’ll let you know what to put in it and why it matters. If you prefer to leave it to the experts, [contact us today](https://www.axcethr.com/schedule-consultation/). [![Is your business at risk without an employee handbook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/e81c7d27-fb5b-41b3-8e06-2cbf2c463c71.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/e81c7d27-fb5b-41b3-8e06-2cbf2c463c71) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/9758b087-ec74-438d-a7b6-270ed3cca6da.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/9758b087-ec74-438d-a7b6-270ed3cca6da) [![Jeanette Coleman, SPHR & SHRM-SCP](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jeanette-04.jpg?width=80&height=80&name=Jeanette-04.jpg)](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/jeanette-coleman) Written by #### [Jeanette Coleman, SPHR & SHRM-SCP](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/jeanette-coleman) Jeanette Coleman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Director of Human Resources at Axcet HR Solutions, where she has contributed her expertise for over 21 years. As a leader in the HR industry, she holds advanced certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Jeanette oversees HR strategy and operations, ensuring Axcet delivers exceptional HR services that help small and mid-sized businesses stay compliant and grow. With a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Keller Graduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University, Jeanette is well-equipped to lead and support clients in navigating complex HR challenges. Throughout her 15-year tenure as Director of Human Resources, she has been instrumental in positioning Axcet as the Midwest’s largest and premier Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Her previous roles at Axcet include Director of Employee Benefits and Senior HR Consultant, where she gained extensive experience in HR outsourcing, and employee risk management. Jeanette’s expertise has been recognized through industry and regional publications. She co-authored the article “High-Touch in the Age of High-Tech: How PEOs Can Embrace AI Without Losing Their Humanity” (https://peoinsider.org/articles/high-touch-in-the-age-of-high-tech-how-peos-can-embrace-ai-without-losing-their-humanity/) for PEO Insider (March 2026), alongside Jo McClure, and was featured in Ingram’s Magazine in a Q&A (https://ingrams.com/article/qa-with-jeanette-coleman/) discussing generational change, technology, and workplace culture. These contributions reflect her perspective on balancing innovation with the human side of HR. Jeanette’s leadership reflects her deep commitment to helping businesses thrive through strategic, compliance-driven HR solutions. Through her writing, she shares insights on HR strategy, compliance, and best practices to help employers confidently manage their workforce. Published in: PEO Insider and Ingram's Read more [View all posts →](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/jeanette-coleman) ### Get HR Updates ### Table of Contents ### Related Resources - [services Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [services HR Compliance](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/hr-compliance-specialist/) #### [Human Resources Disaster Preparedness: Is Your Workplace Ready? ![Human Resources Disaster Preparedness: Is Your Workplace Ready?](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Be%20Prepared%20sign%20with%20sky%20background.jpeg)](https://blog.axcethr.com/human-resources-disaster-preparedness-is-your-workplace-ready) #### [![Axcet HR Solutions Receives OSHA’s VPP Star of Excellence Award for Eighth Year](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/Randy%20VPP.jpg) Axcet HR Solutions Receives OSHA’s VPP Star of Excellence Award for Eighth Year](https://blog.axcethr.com/axcet-hr-solutions-receives-oshas-vpp-star-of-excellence-award-for-eighth-year) ## Let us know what you think... ![AxcetHR Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [What We Stand For](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/what-we-stand-for/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Payroll Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Subscribe to Latest Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [\[ Client Portal \]](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - - - - - Search for: Copyright © 2023 Axcet HR Solutions – Kansas City's PEO Since 1988 | [Privacy Policy](https://www.axcethr.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms and Conditions](https://www.axcethr.com/terms-conditions/) | [**Join our Team – Careers »**](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) 10975 Grandview Drive Suite 200, Corporate Woods Building 27, Overland Park, KS 66210 | Call us: 913-383-2999 *The IRS does not endorse any particular For more information on [certified professional employer organizations](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/), go to [www.irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov).* Remove cookies ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=43031&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jeanette Coleman, SPHR & SHRM-SCP", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/jeanette-coleman" }, "dateModified" : "2022-03-14T20:10:45.280Z", "datePublished" : "2018-06-25T12:21:00.000Z", "headline" : "Ask the HR Expert: Translating Employee Handbooks into Spanish", "image" : [ "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/_KMJ0100.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/_logo_axcethr_primary.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Kansas City", "addressRegion" : "MO" }, "aggregateRating" : { "@type" : "AggregateRating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5", "reviewCount" : "100" }, "areaServed" : { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "United States" }, "award" : [ "IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO)", "Award-Winning HR Solutions Provider", "SHRM Certified HR Professionals", "HRCI Certified HR Professionals" ], "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "US", "availableLanguage" : "English", "contactType" : "Customer Service" }, "description" : "Award-winning Professional Employer Organization (PEO) providing comprehensive HR solutions, payroll services, employee benefits, and risk management to small and mid-sized businesses. 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This is a great question, especially if your business has a workplace in the state of Kansas. According to the Kansas Health Institute, the Hispanic population in the state is expected to more than double in the next 20 years to 20 percent. Having a handbook prepared and available for this future workforce is a good idea, but is it legally required? Jeanette Coleman, Director of Human Resources for Axcet HR Solutions, weighs in on this subject. Question: Are we required to provide our employee handbook in Spanish for Latinx employees? If we have a substantial number of Latino employees, are we required to provide our employee handbook in Spanish? HR Expert Answer While providing an employee handbook in additional languages – or having an employee handbook at all – is not a requirement, it is a best practice if a significant portion of your workforce is not fluent in English. Generally, if you have 10 percent or more of your workforce speaking a language other than English (in your case, Spanish), we recommend making your handbook available in that language. The same goes for any type of accommodation you may want to make if a substantial number of your employees need it to receive the information in your handbook. This includes writing to a low literacy level or providing it in braille or audiotape for the visually impaired. Also Read: The Quagmire of HR Compliance Can Make or Break Smaller Companies Remember, an employee handbook gives you the best opportunity to clearly communicate your company policies, outline expectations for employees to follow, and help protect you from liability. In some cases, such as with anti-harassment policies, the failure to communicate the policy in the language that your employees speak may increase your risk of liability in the event of a lawsuit. What to Put in Your Employee Handbook At Axcet HR Solutions, we provide full-service HR services to small and mid-sized businesses including employee handbook creation and updates. To find out more about employee handbooks, download our free report. We’ll let you know what to put in it and why it matters. If you prefer to leave it to the experts, contact us today.", "author" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/jeanette-coleman#author", "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jeanette Coleman, SPHR & SHRM-SCP", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/jeanette-coleman" }, "dateCreated" : "2018-06-25", "dateModified" : "2022-03-14", "datePublished" : "2018-06-25", "description" : "Recently, we were asked by a client if business owners are required to have their employee handbooks available in different languages, such as Spanish. This is a great question, especially if your business has a workplace in the state of Kansas. According to the Kansas Health Institute, the Hispanic population in the state is expected to ...", "editor" : "Jeanette Coleman, SPHR & SHRM-SCP", "genre" : "Human Resources and Employee Management", "headline" : "Ask the HR Expert: Translating Employee Handbooks into Spanish", "image" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2652187/_KMJ0100.jpg", "keywords" : "Human Resources, outsource HR, Employee Handbooks, HR Compliance, FAQ", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/axcethr_logo_white.png?width=225&name=axcethr_logo_white.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" }, "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish", "wordCount" : "2330" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.axcethr.com/", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://insights.axcethr.com/", "name" : "Insights", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://insights.axcethr.com/tag/human-resources", "name" : "Human Resources", "position" : 3 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/ask-the-hr-expert-translating-employee-handbooks-into-spanish", "name" : "Ask the HR Expert: Translating Employee Handbooks into Spanish", "position" : 4 } ] } ```