Language policy statements and guidelines
To ensure that English and French are used on a daily basis in your organization and to maintain the long-term viability of the project, clear guidelines must be established. An official language policy signals clearly to your employees, volunteers and clientele that English and French enjoy equal status within your organization. The two sample resolutions on official languages in the "Language policy" practical tool should help you to draft a language policy that reflects the goals of your organization.
The key to success
Make sure that the language requirements relate directly to the duties of each position.
Make sure that language requirements are mentioned in the recruitment policy.
Reassure unilingual employees that a language policy does not mean they will lose their jobs or that they must become fluent in the other language.
Practical Tools
Language policyNotice (PDF Version, KB)
RTF Document - For editing
Once you have adopted a language policy on the provision of services in both official languages, you need to take the next step and establish guidelines to be followed for meetings, activities, bilingual positions, and so on. To ensure that your members share a long-term commitment to the new policy, these guidelines need to be incorporated into your organization's policy and procedures manual. A sample list of guidelines (not meant to be exhaustive) that could be phased in within your organization may be found in the "Measures and guidelines" practical tool. All of these changes should be implemented in accordance with your organization's accepted practices and policies.
Practical Tools
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