WELSH LANGUAGE POLICY
Introduction
Acom recognises the importance of the Welsh Language to community development and the culture and heritage of all the people of Wales, and will seek to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language at every opportunity.
Acom remains fully committed to the principle of equality and providing a full service in both languages to all its customers. However, it has to be acknowledged that the timescale of introducing a full service is likely to reflect the differing linguistic skills and abilities of staff. Measures such as transferring phone calls to different offices, seconding staff to assist at meetings and electronic transfer of materials between offices will be introduces to ensure that whenever possible a bilingual service is available to our customers.
Internal Policies
The delivery of the service to the public will be enhanced by the promotion of a bilingual culture throughout the workplace. To support this, every line manager shall be responsible for encouraging the use of Welsh within the workplace.
Members of staff may use English or Welsh in their work as long as this is consistent with the policy and safeguards the effectiveness of internal communication.
There will be particular encouragement to use Welsh orally and written Welsh where this is practical, for those who are learning the language.
Before a vacant post is advertised, the line manager and a director will assess the merits of appointing a Welsh Speaker to the post. The assessment will focus on whether the current linguistic capability of the team is appropriately balanced and may result in the advertisement stating that the appointment of a Welsh Speaker to the post is regarded as desirable or an essential qualification.
External Policy for the Provision of Services
Acom welcomes correspondence in Welsh or English and will respond in the correspondent’s choice of language within the target time of 10 days.
When Acom initiates correspondence with an individual, group or multiple audience in Wales whose preferred language is not known, we will write in a bilingual format giving equal prominence to both Welsh and English and where this applies, both the Welsh and English versions will be signed.
In exceptional circumstances when there is no time for translation before issue, we will translate the letter as soon as possible, and include a paragraph in the original English letter stating that a Welsh version will follow in the shortest time possible.
Acom’s staff will answer correspondence in the language of the letter received, or in Welsh if a specific request was made of if the correspondence follows oral discussions in Welsh.
All letters sent out in Welsh will be signed by the author or their representative only in his/her absence. When these are of a legal or contractual nature and the author is not a fluent or confident welsh speaker or writer, the correspondence may also include an English version.
When it is necessary to follow up a meeting or telephone call by letter, it will be in the language of that discussion other than when it is known that it is the caller’s preference to correspond in the other language. The above measures apply equally to any communication by electronic mail.
A translation service is in place for correspondence, with a procedure included for ensuring that the translation can be checked for accuracy. These procedures have been made known to all members of staff and are fully accessible to them.
A list will be prepared, and reviewed regularly, of those who prefer to receive their letters in Welsh and will be accessible to all members of Acom’s staff.
Telephone calls including answer phone messages are welcomed in Welsh or English and callers will be greeted bilingually by all staff. If a caller wishes to conduct his/her business through the medium of Welsh, he/she will be directed to a Welsh-speaking member of staff in the appropriate department where that is possible, or to a Welsh speaking member of staff from another department where it is possible. Should no Welsh speaking member of staff be available, the caller will be asked for appropriate details and a Welsh speaking member of staff will call them back as soon as possible. The member of staff who took the initial call will be responsible for ensuring that the call is returned by a Welsh speaking member of staff.
All documentation produced for meetings at which it is anticipated that those preferring to participate in Welsh will be present, will be provided in bilingual format. Exhibition and other related materials produced for events in Wales will be bilingual.
Learning Programmes
Where it is requested Acom can provide training in the medium of Welsh complete with Bilingual course handouts and exercises. Bespoke E-learning materials can also be designed in the medium of Welsh.
All candidates embarking on a Vocational Programmes will be given the opportunity to conduct the assessment/ additional workshops through the medium of Welsh.
