Need some advice about my job

[Tillie7]

AIBU to be upset about this ?

Today I was chatting to my boss and we were quite frank with each other as it was just the 2 of us in today at work and no one interferied. I work for a high end interior company. We had a bit of a quiter time after lunch and started chatting about our regional manager. I was interviewed by her and my boss for the job a about 5 months ago... and today I found out that the regional manager wanted to offer the position to someone else but my boss wanted me to join the team. Later on in the conversation she also mentioned that the RM has fired some people before as they (apparently) had very poor English... I'm a foreigner, from Eastern Europe and very self conscious about my English. I try my best but I make mistakes and I feel so ashamed and little. I just felt so uncomfortable after and not sure what to do.

Am I less in this country because I am from Eastern Europe and because I don't have perfect English? And please be honest about this... would you rather employ a native English speaker than someone who is from a not so fancy foreign country?

[TokenGinger]

I do think there are some people like this. I don't think they're the majority, but they do exist.

I've recently recruited two people - one of Eastern European heritage and one of East Asian heritage. The same colleague has turned up his nose at both and said the other candidates would have been better - this colleague did not sit in on the interviews and had no basis for why the others would have been better.

[Doyoumind]

Although it might sound xenophobic, in a customer facing role you need to be able to communicate well. You don't need to be native to do that but if your language skills mean you can't effectively do your job then that's an issue. It doesn't sound like that applies to you and it doesn't mean the RM isn't xenophobic.

[Tillie7]

Absolutely, I agree with you, @Doyoumind and please don't get me wrong I very much think if you live in the U.K., speak the language and pick up the culture. I very am proud of where I coming from but also trying to fit in here whilst not loosing my identity. However my problem is why would you employ someone who you don't think have enough English to do the job? I mean honestly it's not like they could fake their accents during the interview. Neither could I...

[Jamiefraserskilt]

If someone gets into a role that requires good spoken English, it is something that is established at interview. Sacking someone for their lack of fluency strikes me as either 1. Poor recruitment process or 2. Bullshit excuse to get rid of someone whose face doesn't fit.