English-Only Policies in the Workplace - Page 2

#16 12-12-2003, 12:27 AM

I think they should be allowed to freely speak whatever they want.

I was raised in a different background, one with more cultures than I have toes, so I suppose it's more accepted here than it is over there.

AlphaFrog · #17 12-12-2003, 04:46 AM

I'm playing devil's advcate....

Ok, here's my (admittantly biased) 2 cents (or more, because I feel a long expination coming on).....

My very first point is that the United States of America has no offical language....true about 90% of the population speaks English, but it is against the consisitution to declare an offical language.

Ok, that said, I work in a restaraunt and the cooks are all Mexican. Only one knows much English and so we speak in Spanish. (OK, yes, my boss allows this because she hires only Mexicans to work in the kitchen.) I know this is a different situation then most, but it still somewhat applies. She does not tell us not to speak around customers because they only speak Spanish. I also date one of the cooks, and so I speak Spanish in public quite often. I know that it feels weird because for years I always thought that if someone was speaking a different language, then they were talking about me....but then I realized anyone who thinks they are being talked about needs to get over themselves because we have better things to talk about....unless something out of the ordinary is happening, then it would probably be discussed in English, just more discreate.

I agree certain things should not be discussed at work no matter what language they are discussed in. Rather then simply say "English Only" they should have a code of conduct...maybe no speaking other languages while helping a customer, and certain subjects that should be avoided. Other then that, I don't think employers have a right to tell their employees what language to talk in, especially if it isn't affecting their work.

Ok...some of this isn't exactly the most cohearnt thing you've ever heard, but it's like 2:30am....maybe I'll come back later and fix things...probably not, but it's always nice to have the disclaimer.

bethany1982 · #18 12-12-2003, 08:10 AM

Perhaps we should make English the official language of the United States... since we don't have one.

dzrose93 · #19 12-12-2003, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The1calledTKE
While working they should speak English. On their breaks they should be able to speak any language.

I agree, as long as their breaks are taken off-premises or in a private employee lounge.

AlphaGam1019 · #20 12-12-2003, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bethany1982
Perhaps we should make English the official language of the United States... since we don't have one.

some lady tried to tell me that English WAS the official language of the US in HR class last year. stupid beeotch. grr. I printed stuff out on the web and told her to read it.

bethany1982 · #21 12-12-2003, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlphaGam1019
some lady tried to tell me that English WAS the official language of the US in HR class last year. stupid beeotch. grr. I printed stuff out on the web and told her to read it.

LOL... I hope she had the ability to do so.

AlphaGam1019 · #22 12-12-2003, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OohTeenyWahine
I think they should be allowed to freely speak whatever they want.

But but you mean...people aren't going to understand the jokes, etc? </sarcasm>.

Seriously, I wish I was more fluent in another language SO I can say stuff that people can't understand (maybe not at work). It's hilarious that it pisses people off. It pisses you off? then go learn Swahilli or Pig Latin :P

AlphaGam1019 · #23 12-12-2003, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bethany1982
LOL... I hope she had the ability to do so.

Yeah, but she wasn't about to admit to anything. She was middle aged "I been workin for a while and I know everything there is to know" types.

Gawd, I wanted to smack her esp during group activities.

33girl · #24 12-12-2003, 11:21 AM

I think we should make English the official language...if for no other reason than saving $$$ (official forms would only need to be printed in one language - no driver's license tests in Spanish, French etc).

I think that if a CUSTOMER comes in who speaks another language and is having a problem communicating, if there is an employee there who speaks that language they should of course use that to help the customer. That is putting the customer first. We're talking about interaction between employees.

bethany1982 · #25 12-12-2003, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlphaGam1019
Yeah, but she wasn't about to admit to anything. She was middle aged "I been workin for a while and I know everything there is to know" types. Gawd, I wanted to smack her esp during group activities.

That little urge to smack someone every now and then can feel pretty good.

Kevin · #26 12-12-2003, 11:37 AM

A private employer has the right to require this type of behavior. If you employees are all capable of speaking the same language, in doing so, they avoid many potential conflicts due to alienation and unrestrained talking of $h1t.

I personally agree with this practice. As long as the employees are on premesis, the employer can require this, no problem. If not, they can find another job.

DeltAlum · #27 12-12-2003, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlphaFrog
....true about 90% of the population speaks English, but it is against the consisitution to declare an offical language.

Is that true? I thought that people were trying to pass an amendment to make English the official language, but until then there was really no law one way or the other.

I have not decided how I feel on this issue yet, however I do think that if a person plans to live and work in any country, it is important to be conversant in the predominant language.

bethany1982 · #28 12-12-2003, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Is that true? I thought that people were trying to pass an amendment to make English the official language, but until then there was really no law one way or the other.

I have not decided how I feel on this issue yet, however I do think that if a person plans to live and work in any country, it is important to be conversant in the predominant language.

There are several groups working to make English the official language of the U.S. One of the largest was started by a former CA Senator, who was, himself an immigrant. I would like to see it happen, but I doubt it ever will.

DeltAlum · #29 12-12-2003, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bethany1982
There are several groups working to make English the official language of the U.S. One of the largest was started by a former CA Senator, who was, himself an immigrant. I would like to see it happen, but I doubt it ever will.

Right. There have been a couple of attempts to do this on a state-wide basis here in Colorado.

They have been met with charges of racism among other things.

I still don't believe that there is anything in the U.S. Constitution regarding the mandate of a single language -- one way or the other. But, not being a Constitutional scholar, I don't know that for sure.

RedHotChiO · #30 12-12-2003, 06:25 PM

I think that is silly considering that there are so many workplaces that hire a person on their ability to be multilingual. If I hired a person who spoke Spanish, I would consider them an asset, because they would be able to assist customers who only spoke Spanish.

If you really believe that people should speak English on the sales floor, I'd like to see what would happen in a foreign country if someone refused to serve someone who only spoke English.