How Employers Can Support Ukrainian Refugees

Addressing the U.S. labor shortage

There has been much talk recently about a labor shortage in the United States, with plenty of businesses looking for people to work for them but not enough people to fill those vacancies. These companies may have found an unexpected solution in the form of the Ukrainian refugees fleeing their home country, searching for safety and the opportunity to start anew. Ideally, American business owners and Ukrainian refugees can come together to help solve each other's problems, but it will take a few steps to get there first.

Many Ukrainian refugees have found themselves completely uprooted from their lives as they knew them, forced to leave behind their families, homes, and schools. Although some refugees have been lucky and were able to relocate to areas where they already had a support system from their family or an already-established immigrant community in the area, others have to start completely fresh. In those cases, it is our responsibility as citizens to help these refugees.

President Biden recently issued a decree that up to 100,000 more Ukrainian refugees will be accepted into the country, and critics have feared that this will put additional pressure on the system. However, whether they are receiving refugee status or the more emergency-based humanitarian parole, these refugees have temporary work authorization that will allow them to work in the United States. This means that these refugees can make a living while filling some of the most pressing, current needs for the American job market.

Ukrainian refugees are coming to the United States with a variety of skills and experience that could be extremely useful to American businesses. A phenomenon known as “brain drain” occurs in crises, in which educated, high-talent individuals are driven out of their home countries in search of safety. This means that they are bringing their desirable skills to wherever their destination country is, and given how well-educated a society like Ukraine is, countries like the United States can benefit from this influx of qualified individuals.

With that being said, American businesses in the past have had a difficult time recognizing credentials and experience earned in other countries. Education is set up in a way where each country has its own standards. It can be hard to verify the quality of education that an individual possesses when they received it outside of the United States; however, simply dismissing individuals because their credentials are from elsewhere means leaving hundreds of qualified candidates on the table.

Employers can't favor hiring Ukrainian refugees, but they can make it easier for them to be considered for positions. These refugees are looking for opportunities that will allow them to thrive and provide for their families. Employers are looking for people to work in a job market with more open positions than candidates to fill them. If companies are willing to be open-minded, they will likely find a great, loyal employee in these refugees.

Still, employers must ensure that they approach this situation with empathy and care. Yes, refugees are coming to you in a time of need, but you cannot simply take advantage of them. Just because they are desperate for a job does not mean that they should be treated any less than any other employee you have, or might have. Instead, you must recognize their skills and experience and compensate them fairly for what they bring to your business.

Companies must seek out appropriate legal guidance when employing any refugees to ensure that they comply with any applicable employment and tax regulations. Especially when dealing with a situation as volatile and constantly-changing as the situation faced by many Ukrainian refugees, you must understand the implications this will have both on you, as the employer, and them as an employee. It is important to understand this situation before making any formal hiring decisions.

American business owners should look to Ukrainian refugees as a possible way to alleviate some of their staffing concerns. In doing so, they will be providing support to people who need it the most. It is a mutually-beneficial arrangement, especially given how well-qualified and trained many of these refugees entering the workforce are. They are talented, skilled, and eager to get to work—and back to some semblance of normal life. Let’s provide them with this opportunity.