# Could an employer ban employees from speaking Spanish while on the clock? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 31, 2007, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341 "2007-01-31T23:28:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blunt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Blunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blunt)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/1 "2007-01-31T23:28:45Z")
This is a hypothetical question, based on a small factory where a buddy of mine works. The shop has a few dozen employees, all of whom speak english, but some also speak spaninsh. Apparently some of the spanish speaking employees tend to speak amongst themselves in spanish some of the time (while working). Management suspects (very likely correctly) that a lot of what the employees say in spanish is complaining about other workers, the job, and management. The employees who do converse in spanish amongst each other, don’t do so all the time, and do speak english more often than not. To be honest, from what my buddy’s told me is that they only switch to spanish when they don’t want others to hear what they have to say. Now, apparently management is considering baning speaking spanish on the job (except when it is necessary). They are even considering a series of penalties, starting with a verbal warning for the first instance, and progressing to termination. This policy seems like a very bad idea to me, and sounds like an invite for some kind of complaint or lawsuit. My buddy isn’t so sure, and he thinks management would be fine implementing the policy and would get away with it just fine. This shop is in the US, in Florida for the record. Also, some of the employees do have to be bilingual to deal with spanish speaking customers over the phone. However, most employees don’t have any contact with the public or customers at all, and the spanish conversations between employees wouldn’t be heard by any customers. Is implementing a policy banning spanish speaking by employees in private conversations allowed by law? Or, is this something the employer could get in trouble for? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/2 "2007-02-01T00:09:21Z")
> [@](#): > > C. English-Only Rules > > Some employers have instituted workplace policies restricting communication in languages other than English, often called “English-only rules.” In fiscal year 2002, the Commission received 228 charges challenging English-only policies. The application of Title VII to such rules is discussed below. > > 1. Application of Title VII to English-Only Rules > > Title VII permits employers to adopt English-only rules under certain circumstances. As with any other workplace policy, an English-only rule must be adopted for nondiscriminatory reasons. An English-only rule would be unlawful if it were adopted with the intent to discriminate on the basis of national origin. Likewise, a policy that prohibits some but not all of the foreign languages spoken in a workplace, such as a no-Navajo rule, would be unlawful. > > EXAMPLE 19 > ENGLISH-ONLY RULE: INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION > > XYZ Textile Corp. adopts a policy requiring employees to speak only English while in the workplace, including when speaking to coworkers during breaks or when making personal telephone calls. XYZ places Hispanic workers under close scrutiny to ensure compliance and replaces workers who violate the rule with non-Hispanics. Jose, a native Spanish speaker, files a charge with the EEOC alleging that the policy discriminates against him based on his national origin. XYZ states that the rule was adopted to promote better employee relations and to help improve English skills. However, the investigation reveals no evidence of poor employee relations due to communication in languages other than English. Nor are proficient English skills required for any of the positions held by non-native English speakers. Because XYZ’s explanation is contradicted by the evidence, the English-only rule is unlawful.(47) > > Even where an English-only rule has been adopted for nondiscriminatory reasons, the employer’s use of the rule should relate to specific circumstances in its workplace.(48) An English-only rule is justified by “business necessity” if it is needed for an employer to operate safely or efficiently. The following are some situations in which business necessity would justify an English-only rule: > > ``` > * For communications with customers, coworkers, or supervisors who only speak English > * In emergencies or other situations in which workers must speak a common language to promote safety > * For cooperative work assignments in which the English-only rule is needed to promote efficiency > * To enable a supervisor who only speaks English to monitor the performance of an employee whose job duties require communication with coworkers or customers > > ``` > > The following is an example of a narrowly crafted English-only rule promoting safety in the workplace. > > EXAMPLE 20 > PERMISSIBLE ENGLISH-ONLY RULE: PROMOTING SAFETY > > XYZ Petroleum Corp. operates an oil refinery and has a rule requiring all employees to speak only English during an emergency. The rule also requires that employees speak in English while performing job duties in laboratories and processing areas where there is the danger of fire or explosion. The rule does not apply to casual conversations between employees in the laboratory or processing areas when they are not performing a job duty. The English-only rule does not violate Title VII because it is narrowly tailored to safety requirements.(49) > 2. Best Practices > > In evaluating whether to adopt an English-only rule, an employer should weigh business justifications for the rule against possible discriminatory effects of the rule. While there is no precise test for making this evaluation, relevant considerations include: > > ``` > * Evidence of safety justifications for the rule > * Evidence of other business justifications for the rule, such as supervision or effective communication with customers > * Likely effectiveness of the rule in carrying out objectives > * English proficiency of workers affected by the rule(50) > > ``` > > Before adopting an English-only rule, the employer should consider whether there are any alternatives to an English-only rule that would be equally effective in promoting safety or efficiency. > > EXAMPLE 21 > ENGLISH-ONLY RULE: NONDISCRIMINATORY ALTERNATIVE > > At a management meeting of XYZ Electronics Co., a supervisor proposes that the company adopt an English-only rule to decrease tensions among its ethnically diverse workforce. He reports that two of the employees he supervises, Ann and Vinh, made derogatory comments in Vietnamese about their coworkers. Because such examples of misconduct are isolated and thus can be addressed effectively under the company’s discipline policy, XYZ decides that the circumstances do not justify adoption of a facility-wide English-only rule. To reduce the likelihood of future incidents, XYZ supervisors are instructed to counsel line employees about appropriate workplace conduct.(51) > > An employer should ensure that affected employees are notified about an English-only rule and the consequences for violation. The employer may provide notice by any reasonable means under the circumstances, such as a meeting, e-mail, or posting. In some cases, it may be necessary for an employer to provide notice in English and in the other native languages spoken by its workers. A grace period before the effective date of the rule also may be required to ensure that all workers have received notice. [http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/national-origin.html#VC](http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/national-origin.html#VC) ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/3 "2007-02-01T00:46:39Z")
Native English speakers are a minority in my workplace. It’s over 50% Vietnamese, with a lot of Arabic speakers, a lot of Tagalog speakers, and a smattering of Cantonese, Spanish, and various other ones. There is a policy that all _work-related_ conversation be carried out in English, but people are free to speak other languages for small talk. I think this is quite reasonable as a compromise, for the following reasons: - Banning the use of a language is just creepy. - Most non-English speakers will voluntarily use English in the presence of somebody who can’t speak their language, just out of courtesy. - Most conversations are mundane crap about what the kids did last weekend rather than any sort of conspiracy or gossip, so as an English speaker, I almost welcome the fact that I can tune out a lot of stuff. - If people want to gossip about somebody who understands their language, believe me they can do it anyway. The policy seems to work pretty well most of the time, and I don’t recall anybody ever having been disciplined for not adhering to it. Most people are pretty good about it. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/4 "2007-02-01T01:03:06Z")
I’ve worked in hospitals that required English to be spoken whenever patients were present. ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/5 "2007-02-01T01:04:34Z")
[QUOTE=TheLoadedDog] There is a policy that all _work-related_ conversation be carried out in English, but people are free to speak other languages for small talk. [/QUOTE] Which is the case where my mother works. The clinic had an entire ban but some workers sued and they had to settle for the above. Most conversations really are mundane. People just get paranoid and assume things. What are people going to next? Ban whispering? ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/6 "2007-02-01T01:22:06Z")
[QUOTE=Burrido] Which is the case where my mother works. The clinic had an entire ban but some workers sued and they had to settle for the above. Most conversations really are mundane. People just get paranoid and assume things. What are people going to next? Ban whispering? [/QUOTE] Exactly. And in fact, the “work-related” rule is completely ignored much of the time, and with the blessing of the English speakers too. I mean, if one language _x_ speaker is saying to another language _x_ speaker, “Can you take these papers upstairs, please?”, it’s usually very obvious to anybody present who doesn’t speak that language. When there’s a problem or dispute, or something that might otherwise result in some seriously bad karma, like a harrassment accusation or whatever, then the English Only rule just automatically kicks in, and everybody understands the need for it. But day to day, it’s pretty free and easy, and nobody minds. Heck, I’ve worked with some of these people for seventeen years, and if as “evil foreigners” they were plotting my downfall, I reckon I’d have known about it by now. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/7 "2007-02-01T08:51:08Z")
I’ve had a couple of cases where people spoke in languages other than English thinking I wouldn’t understand and oopsied bigtime when I replied. I only remember one case where it was offensive (and not even to me, to a fourth person). Most of the time, conversations in LotE are just a manner of convenience and proficiency. An example: I’m native-level, but if I’m talking about cooking, I better be able to switch to Spanish. Cookbooks in English might as well be in ancient Klingon, often I don’t even understand half the list of ingredients. I’ve had quite a few conversations about food and recipes at work, and I’m not a cook. I’ve had many more cases where the conversation was in a language people knew I udnerstood but they assumed I wouldn’t understand their obscure references… having been a lab tech before I went consultant means that I do understand those references juuuuust fine. These conversations have had much deeper Consequences than, say, a remark about “damn fine hips” in Mexican 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/8 "2007-02-01T09:05:44Z")
[QUOTE=Nava] These conversations have had much deeper Consequences than, say, a remark about “damn fine hips” in Mexican 😛 [/QUOTE] Hmm… how _do_ you say “damn fine hips” in Mexican? My Mexican is pretty decent, but I can’t think of the term… (what? I may very well have a use for it someday) ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/9 "2007-02-01T09:13:51Z")
Well, the exact phrase was “buenas caderas, la gringa.” The reply was “gracias”. Him: :eek: His mates: _laughter and hoots_ Him: “uh, sorry”. Me: “no problem.” The gringo who was showing me around the factory, once he stopped laughing: “she’s from Spain, guys.” ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/10 "2007-02-01T13:56:43Z")
[QUOTE=Nava] Cookbooks in English might as well be in ancient Klingon, often I don’t even understand half the list of ingredients. [/QUOTE] I have the same problem with cookbooks in Spanish. Well, aside from the ingredients I have no metric measuring devices. But for the ingredients, [this site](http://www.rollybrook.com/lexicon.htm) and [this site](http://www.pacificpearl.com/market_translator.htm) have been invaluable. Of course they’re both Mexican Spanish and not Spanish Spanish, but they may work for you. ¿No tendrás fotos de las buenas caderas? (Just kidding; that breaks the SDMB’s English only rule ;)) ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/11 "2007-02-01T14:46:37Z")
From GFactor’s post, I’m interested in this piece > [@](#): > > XYZ states that the rule was adopted to promote better employee relations and to help improve English skills. However, the investigation reveals no evidence of poor employee relations due to communication in languages other than English. Nor are proficient English skills required for any of the positions held by non-native English speakers. Because XYZ’s explanation is contradicted by the evidence, the English-only rule is unlawful. I would assume from this section, if there was documented evidence of poor employee relations due to the language issue, then the rule might be legal. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/12 "2007-02-01T14:55:32Z")
That is an interesting point. As an HR person, I had generally heard that English only rules could only be legitimate for safety reasons. My intuition tells me that in addition to documenting poor workplace relations, management would also have to document that other, clearly nondiscriminatory, efforts had been made to resolve the issues. Then, maybe, possibly, the argument you made would have some sway. One thing some employers do is offer space to nonprofits to teach ESL and basic Spanish to their workers. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/13 "2007-02-01T15:00:09Z")
[QUOTE=Harriet the Spry] My intuition tells me that in addition to documenting poor workplace relations, management would also have to document that other, clearly nondiscriminatory, efforts had been made to resolve the issues. [/QUOTE] Agreed. I doubt an employer who lets animus build and then blames the non-English speakers would be able to establish business necessity. But see note 48 of the linked materials: > [@](#): > > The EEOC guidelines on English-only rules, 29 C.F.R. § 1606.7, state that English-only rules must be justified by “business necessity.” **Courts are divided on the application of Title VII to English-only rules and the validity of the EEOC guidelines.** Compare EEOC v. Premier Operator Servs., Inc., 113 F. Supp. 2d 1066, 1073 (N.D. Tex. 2000) (English-only rules “disproportionately burden national origin minorities because they preclude many members of these groups from speaking the language in which they are best able to communicate.”), and EEOC v. Synchro-Start Prods. Inc, 29 F. Supp. 2d 911, 914-15 (N.D. Ill. 1999) (English-only rules may create discriminatory work environment based on national origin), with Garcia v. Spun Steak Co., 998 F.2d 1480, 1487-89 (9th Cir. 1993) (finding that the EEOC’s guidelines on English-only rules could not be applied to truly bilingual employees because such individuals do not suffer any adverse impact from these rules and holding that the guidelines impermissibly presume that English-only policies have a disparate impact without requiring proof of such), cert. denied, 512 U.S. 1228 (1994), and Long v. First Union Corp, 894 F. Supp. 933, 940 (E.D. Va. 1995), aff’d per curiam, 86 F.3d 1151 (4th Cir. 1996) (table) (district court rejected the EEOC guidelines, and the Fourth Circuit affirmed without addressing the guidelines). Two other U.S. Courts of Appeals have upheld English-only policies without addressing the EEOC guidelines. See Garcia v. Gloor, 618 F.2d 264, 268 (5th Cir. 1980), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 1113 (1981); Gonzalez v. Salvation Army, No. 89-1679-CIV-T-17, U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21692 (M.D. Fla. May 28, 1991), aff’d, 985 F.2d 578 (11th Cir. 1992) (table), cert. denied, 508 U.S. 910 (1993). (Emphasis added.) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/14 "2007-02-01T15:08:49Z")
…and Korean hairdressers definitely shouldn’t insult a client in their native tongue when a Korean War veteran is in the shop and available to translate for the client. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/15 "2007-02-01T16:16:12Z")
Thank you, Balthisar! ---
**Author:** ![Jake4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jake4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake4)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/16 "2007-02-01T16:22:58Z")
King of the Hill? Good episode. Reminds me of the Seinfeld where they get Jerry’s deaf girlfriend to lip read. [hilarious (to me) ‘deaf-person accent’] Bingo! [/non-pc reference] ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/17 "2007-02-01T18:33:38Z")
Well, speaking in a foreign language that you share with another is basically just whispering. I used to do it all the time in Spanish while I was in Germany with a friend of mine. I never got caught, because I only used it around people I knew couldn’t speak Spanish well enough. And the Spanish girls…well they are used to guys talking like that 😃 They were cool, and never gave up our secrets. It was especially funny around the Mexicans, because they could obviously speak English to me at the same (if not maybe higher with some) level of communication that I we could in Spanish, but we’d switch to Spanish whenever it became necessary. The point of that story is that if I wanna talk to you about something, and I only want you to know, I’ll email you, or write you or whatever. IM, why not? But Spanish only helps that and makes it more efficient with the problem that someone might understand that isn’t supposed to. I do understand that work-related conversations should take place in English. Even if you think it is between yourself and another spanish-speaker there could always be some situation where a third party overhears and says, “Hey didn’t you get that memo? We have changed that now.” Also, a third-part person might find some kind of information important too. If you know that someone is going to be doing something, then it might influence your choice of work for the day, etc. But if you aren’t in earshot (like if everyone has private offices) then you don’t really have to worry. But yeah, English only because the non-spanish speaking employees don’t like it? Well, they are in for a lawsuit, sounds like. Funny story. I went to the train station one day to buy some tickets, and a friend of mine from Monterrey (Mexico) and Madrid came with me, and waited outside while I was in the ticket office. When I came out I saw the police hanging around asking for my ID. After they realized what was up, they let us go (we were just students) But that was a bit weird, German cops profiling a Mexican and a Spaniard for speaking Spanish? What exactly could they be thinking, ETA? Wouldn’t ETA be speaking Basque? I mean I know that all policemen aren’t geniuses but I’d think the average German would know what Spanish sounds like. I can’t see how Spanish would raise any red flags either…Oh well… I can’t wait until I get to travel and use Danish as a secret language. I’ve heard that nobody knows about that. Of course I’ve heard stories with Dutch people that you never know who knows what language, and have been caught embarrassed by it before. ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/18 "2007-02-01T19:12:34Z")
We’re getting more and more Mexicans starting to work where I do. They gather into groups and speak Spanish. when the translators come around they join in in spanish. Seems to me they ,the translators, ought to speak in Spanish only when necessary. All other times they ought to speak in English. It doesn’t seem that even the long time non english speaking employees are getting to understand English. I asked one of the translators if English lessons were available to these folks. She said yes but they like to workovertime so they can’t attend the lessons. It really gets frustrating not being able to convey even the simplest instruction since they don’t understand. You don’t know if they are not understanding or are just saying screw you pal you’re not my boss. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/19 "2007-02-01T19:33:11Z")
[QUOTE=Merkwurdigliebe] Well, speaking in a foreign language that you share with another is basically just whispering. But yeah, English only because the non-spanish speaking employees don’t like it? Well, they are in for a lawsuit, sounds like. [/QUOTE] I guess I need to be shown where it is that one has the right to be openly secretive in the workplace. It’s one thing to honestly be more comfortable talking in spanish, it’s another to use spanish as a way to be secretive amongst your coworkers. I’d consider that a potentially hostile work environment, and a lawsuit if management does nothing would be reasonable as well. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341/20 "2007-02-01T20:00:23Z")
I work in a multi-cultural environment and while I consider us lucky that anyone can speak another language with anyone else. (Cuban, Laotian, Vietnames, Japanese, Korean, Russian, English (he’s the worst to understand) and who knows what else. I’m pretty sure I’ve been cussed out in several languages. I live in a city that has a huge hispanic population, I have to push 1 for english no matter where I call. It isn’t uncommon to go to a store and have the person not speak english. I have seen instances where speaking another language is done EXACTLY to exclude the other people in the room. I have also witnessed someone using the language barrier to plead ignorance of something they damn well knew was wrong. I don’t think it serves folks well to speak in their native language in the workplace. It hinders their english fluency. My neighbors behind me speak spanish, I never hear them speak english at all. You only get better with practice. It is very frustrating to not get the service I am paying for because the person doesn’t speak english. I’m not sure what the answer to this is, but it does suck. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-employer-ban-employees-from-speaking-spanish-while-on-the-clock/390341.md?page=2)