Welcome to the Idaho Office for Refugees

Resources for Employers
 

Why Hire Refugees?

Good Work Ethic
Refugees are survivors of great adversity, having lost their homes, personal property and careers. Their personal need to regain self-sufficiency, their interest in acquiring new skills and their desire to attain economic stability for their families make them excellent prospects for hire at all levels.

Loyal, Skilled, & Productive
Refugees bring personal initiative, skills, and a strong work ethic to the workplace. They are dependable because they want long-term employment. All are pre-drug tested, punctual, reliable and honest, trustworthy, quick learners and very positive

Availability & Retention
Refugees are fully authorized to begin working immediately in the United States by the US Justice Department. Furthermore, refugees are often willing to take entry level positions in order to enter the work force quickly to gain financial independence.

Good for business, economy and community
Refugee workers bring personal initiative, skills, strong work ethics and diversity to the workplace. Their job retention rates are high. And in addition, employer tax credits and training incentives are available in many cases. Most refugees are able to begin paying taxes within their first year in the US. Hiring a refugee not only helps your business but also demonstrates your commitment to building self-sufficiency, strengthening families and promoting more active participation of new arrivals to your community.

Support Services are Available for Employers
Federally-funded employment services for refugees provide pre-screening, work orientation, job coaching, vocational English language instruction and other services which facilitate entry into the workforce and promote on-going skills acquisition and good job retention. In addition, guidance in meeting federal employment verification (I-9) requirements is available to make the hiring process as easy as possible.

Adapted from Pennsylvania Refugee Resettlement Program © 2002
& Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas © 2005  
& Lutheran Family Services of Colorado © 2005

Websites:
www.refugeeworks.org

Publications:
Building Bridges to the American Workplace: Employment Counseling with Refugees and Immigrants  Employment Counseling with Refugees & Immigrants