Engineering firm TAUW has been a partner of Refugee Talent Hub since 2023. After a meet-and-greet, Mohammed has been working in the team of Elroy Houthuijzen-Diaz Chavez (team manager/project manager team Soil & Water) for seven months.
Please note: this article was translated using a translator app
Mohammed is from the Middle East and has been living in the Netherlands for two years. He already has a good command of the Dutch language. “I have also been continuously working on the language over the past two years,” he says proudly. “Speaking the language is the key to work, to culture. Without the language you cannot really feel part of society.” The passion shines through his eyes. The Netherlands is not a temporary place, but a new home for him and his family.
For Elroy, the collaboration with Mohammed is enriching. “I really enjoy my work and TAUW is a wonderful company. Seventeen years ago I started as a soil research project employee. I am now the manager of a team of fourteen people. As a manager, your work can mainly revolve around making money and meeting the schedule. But that is in your hands. I am happy with all the different people I get to work with. Including Mohammed!”
Elroy had previously had someone under his wing through 'social return'. He found that interesting – it broadened his view. And it showed how attention to each other, processes and procedures all play an important role in making the collaboration a success. That is why he immediately raised his hand when colleague Suzan Vaessen asked who she could count on in the collaboration with Refugee Talent Hub.
Trust, hierarchy and other cultural differences
Some cultures have more frameworks, others are freer. At TAUW they work based on trust. Leaving an hour early today? Fine, you keep track of that yourself and you'll catch up. “I had to get used to that,” says Mohammed.
He says: “Elroy makes me partly let go of hierarchy, but I find that difficult. This is very prevalent in my culture. So I'm not just indicating an area for improvement. Then I think it's just me, because they probably know better than me. And, for example, I am allowed to work from home without asking permission. Of course I have to explain it, but I don't have to argue why it is necessary. That also felt quite uncomfortable at first.”
Sometimes these are things you know in theory, other differences you come across along the way. “For example, we agreed that Mohammed would be given more time during the first six months to familiarize himself with the work. But then it turned out that he spent extra hours on it in his spare time, while as far as I was concerned that was not the intention. We talked about that very openly. At least now he can spend his free time with his family again,” says Elroy.
By involving Mohammed in as many basic projects as possible, he learns 'how everything works'. I see it as our job at TAUW to help him with this
Elroy Houthuijzen-Diaz Chavez
Team manager/project manager Soil & Water team
Driven
Mohammed sets high standards for himself. TAUW's slogan, 'Live your ambition', suits him like no other. In addition to his family and his job, he is improving his language level at the university, he is working on integration, he is learning the professional language at TAUW and he would prefer to take additional courses. “Before I had to flee, I worked as a scientific researcher. I don't mind taking a few steps back here in the Netherlands, but I would like to be able to continue working at my previous level as quickly as possible," says Mohammed. “And at the same time I am very happy with my job here. By being allowed to do basic projects first, I am slowly but surely getting into it.” Mohammed would prefer to work in geotechnical engineering.
Elroy explains: “To be able to carry out projects you must have knowledge of the current Legislation and Regulations. If you don't fully understand the language yet, Law documents can be difficult to understand. It is precisely by involving Mohammed in as many basic projects as possible that he learns 'how everything works'. I also see it as my – no, our – task at TAUW to help him with that.”
He continues: “What can be difficult is creating support within a team to hire a junior advisor. And in this case someone who is not actually a junior, but due to his language level he is. So we are working hard on that together. Because I have a foreign partner myself, I know how difficult it can be to get settled in the Netherlands. Work plays an important role in this. That is why I think this is of added value on a personal level, for our organization and from a social perspective.”
Making mistakes is allowed - and other tips
In seven months of working together, you quickly collect tips for others. Elroy and Mohammed are happy to share their most important tips for other employers:
Many newcomers are extremely driven : you should slow down rather than encourage their development. A beautiful property!
Help newcomers with (professional) language , because that also helps with internal cooperation
Emphasize that you are allowed to make mistakes and that this will actually make you better (Mohammed: “I used to have to constantly prove myself. If I made a mistake, I was immediately punished.”)
Create a safe, open atmosphere where trust is the basis, so that as a manager and employee you can discuss cultural differences openly and without judgment
A permanent contract is very important for many newcomers. (Elroy: “I only understood later that it is not just about financial or mental security. Also with regard to applying for residence permits, qualifying for Dutch nationality and certain rental properties. That is good for other managers to know.” )
