Is it discrimination when speaking Spanish in the work place?
I work at this place where there is only but a hand full of hispanics, and lately some of the other people feel offended when we are speaking spanish to each other,because they say they cant understand what were saying.So they make comment like “this is a english only speaking place” (which its not) or this is America speak english only.Regardless if we are on break,lunches or speaking to each other while at our desks.We are not yelling across the room,so don’t get me wrong.I’m puerto rican so I have just as much rights as any white person does in this country.So Im not illegal or didnt swim across an ocean to get here.My question is! Is it fair that none of the bosses correct this issue? How do I go about filing a complaint or a law suit? To make matters worst they separated all the hispanics so we cant have any one to speak too…..Just to make the white folks happy!!!!! Since they are the ones giving the complaints!!!!!!
Answer: Any time you treat someone differently soley based upon their race or ethenticity, it’s discrimination. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/index.cfm Go to HR and file a complaint. Click here to learn how to document problems at work so you do it right.
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4 Responses to Is it discrimination when speaking Spanish in the work place?
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Yeah that sounds like work place discrimination to me. You should file a complaint to your boss and say that you and your friends who speak Spanish feel offended. If that doesn’t work you’ll have to go higher up and file a complaint.
I’m sorry that so many people are ignorant. :/
It’s also really dumb to say "This is America, speak English." Like, come on! Everyone knows that one of our major morals is to accept different kinds of people! It’s ridiculous to expect people to just speak English when LITERALLY everyone knows that we have a huge population of people that speak multiple languages.
spanish is a language, white is a skinpigmentation. Please don’t confuse them.
If they say "english only working place", ask them where it’s in your contract.
Speaking spanish in itself is not discrimination, but if you do it in a situation where one person doesn’t understand it, it would be, or at least be somewhat rude.
Of course, if you say something that can’t be readily said in english, you could justify it by claiming your right to free speech
It is fairly rude to talk in another language when someone else is with you. Just because I can speak french doesn’t mean I speak french while I’m with other people who can’t. It makes you sound like you are talking behind their back (except in front of their face). There is nothing wrong with speaking in the language on your break with others who can speak it. However, I don’t see how they can "separate you" on your break.
Given, the people that said "this is America speak English" are probably racist. The thing that makes those people sound extra stupid is the "this is America, speak American" However, that doesn’t excuse the rudeness.
If they say " This is a english only speaking place ", ask them where it says so in the contract or the company regulations book.
By all means, file a complaint. You’re a citizen of the United States of America, you deserve to be treated as such.