The Nissan Sunderland Plant is renowned for its teamwork, with 6,000 employees working seamlessly to produce hundreds of thousands of cars annually.
But what happens when you work in a production area where some team members are deaf and can’t hear the constant communication needed to build a car almost every two minutes?
The solution: Everyone learns sign language.
Peter Haydon, a Senior Supervisor in the Paint Shop, shares the story: “Four of our team members are deaf, which made communication challenging for our supervisors and the production line team.
“Our priority is to ensure everyone feels included and part of the team, so we conducted a thorough review. One key initiative was for everyone to learn sign language.”
Initially, ten team members, including Peter, attended an eleven-week course to learn the basics.
Peter, who leads the Bumper Paint zone, added: “Learning sign language wasn’t easy. It was challenging at first, and you really need to stay focused.
“But the team was eager to learn and fully committed to the training. By week six, they started to get the hang of it. It’s been inspiring to see team members who took the course teaching others in the shop how to sign.
“Communication is crucial for teamwork. We also want everyone to feel included and perform their best at work. These improvements help operators grow and follow the same path as other team members.”
In addition to learning sign language, the zone was revamped to include visual aids for activities like training, meetings, and briefings. Despite the team’s growing skills, sign language interpreters are also regularly brought on-site.
Improved morale Michael Connolly, one of the deaf operators, said: “Previously, there was a breakdown in communication due to a language barrier. Part of that barrier has now been removed.
“Team morale has greatly improved, and it’s fantastic to see everyone so enthusiastic about learning sign language.”
Michael Jude, the HR director at the plant, added: “We’ve had deaf operators before and made adjustments to ensure their workspaces are safe and practical.
“But this team has four deaf members, and as a group, they wanted to go further. It’s a fantastic example of our people coming together and going the extra mile to support each other.”