Welsh Language Standards

How the Commission complies with the Welsh Language Standards

The Chief Executive of the Commission has overall responsibility for compliance with the Welsh Language Standards.

• A compliance monitoring exercise is carried out quarterly as part of the overall monitoring of the Operational Plan. An update is provided to the Commission board.
• For each new policy or project a Welsh Language Impact Assessment is undertaken to assess the positive or adverse effects it would have on opportunities to use the Welsh language. This assessment is considered by the Commission board as part of its decision making process.
• A Welsh language skill assessment for each new or vacant post is undertaken by the Recruiting Manager and submitted to the Chief Executive for final approval. The Commission considers a number of factors including the nature of role, the capacity of Welsh speakers within the team, whether the Welsh language skills are essential, desirable or need to be learnt for each post. Information is recorded for audit and recording purposes.
• As part of the induction process with new staff, Managers are required to discuss the requirements of the Standards along with other corporate policies and procedures.
• The Communications and Engagement Manager ensure compliance with both Welsh Language Standards and Digital Standards which also contain Welsh language requirements in relation to our digital and online services. Issues are raised and discussed with the Chief Executive.
• The Commission has a dedicated recording system team who record and deal with all complaints received and ensure that they are dealt with accordingly in a timely manner.
• Any risks of not complying with the standards are raised with our Executive Team for discussion with their managers to ensure that staff understand what they are required to do.

How the Commission promotes its Welsh language services

• The Commission regularly participates in the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Welsh Language Rights Day each year promoting our Welsh language services on our Social Media accounts.
• The Commission’s social media accounts are operated bilingually with the support of the Communications and Engagement Manager.
• The Commission’s website provides a language choice to the user each time it accesses our website.
• A Cymraeg / English toggle is on the top right corner of each page of our website allowing the user to switch languages easily, with our website and information available in Welsh.
• Each of our job vacancies are advertised in Welsh with applicants able to apply in Welsh if they so wish.
• The Commission offers a fully bilingual phone service and our automated answering service provides a language choice to each caller.
• All Welsh speaking staff members will wear a “Iaith Gwaith” badge or lanyard.
• Advertisements and promotion undertaken by the Commission is done bilingually and published in line with the language of the media source.

How the Commission promotes its Welsh language services to staff

• Staff are reminded of the Standards during team meetings and project discussions.
• There is a dedicated Welsh language page on the intranet with guidance for staff.
• Bilingual templates are available on Sharepoint for staff to use in corresponding with others which includes a paragraph on Welsh language requirement considerations when drafting correspondence.
• Microsoft Power Point Template in place to help ensure that presentations are available in Welsh and English.
• All staff policies, procedures and guidance are available to staff in Welsh on the intranet.
• Complaints procedure includes that staff can use the Welsh language during the process.
• There is a dedicated Welsh Language Training page on the intranet with information on courses, how to book onto a course and useful hints and tips for learners.
• Staff are provided with funding and time off work to undertake Welsh language courses.
• Staff can receive information addressed to them personally in Welsh.
• A corporate signature template is available for all staff to use which includes the by-line:
  "Croesewir gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg a byddwn yn ymateb yn Gymraeg, heb i hynny arwain at oedi. Correspondence in Welsh is welcomed, and we will respond in Welsh without it leading to a delay.​"