Immigrants sue over English-only job requirement

http://www.newstimes.com/latestnews/ci_7523556

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- Five Spanish-speaking immigrants have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a requirement that workers only speak English on the job at a Deep River machine shop.
The five, who are in this country legally, have filed a discrimination suit against GC Industries, a company that makes and finishes sheet metal.

At GC Industries a "Common Language Policy" posted on the bulletin board requires employees to speak English during work hours, except during breaks and lunch. The company notice cites safety, product quality and efficiency.

Policies dictating English in the workplace may be legal if a company can show a legitimate safety or business reason, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

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Hmmm.

Safety is a big issue, and I've seen it slow down production too. I don't think other languages should be banned on the floor, but any communication about the actual work itself should be in the common language.

If safety was not an issue, then there could be problems with this rule.

I have seen it as well, we do it in the Navy, no tagalog (lot of Fillipinos in the Navy) or spanish during working hours for official business.

:popcorn:

If they have Spanish speaking customers then have one reserved for that. But immigration aside, I hate like hell to call and have to get thru to the person answering the phone I can't understand them. That is not right.