Work relationships

[Mary1935]

Hi all I’m work in an office with a lot of people from another country.
They continue to talk in their own language more often than not to each other. I work in healthcare
A previous manager advised them that it was a place of work and that English was the spoken language.
The new manager does not appear to want to deal with this.
I pointed out that i see this like I whispering in another colleagues ear.
It’s rude when it’s constantly done.
It’s now becoming the norm.
He describes it “as background noise” and doesn’t seem to want to deal with it.
Has anyone any tips for me to deal with this in a tactful way.
Thanks

I mean.....you can't ask people not to speak their own language. Equality wise, I'm pretty sure that could land employers in hot water.

We have this as one of our guidelines. We must all speak English in the workplace so that no one is feeling just as you do.
Speak to HR.

You can have an agreed official language, or languages, in the workplace. Of course people are free to use their language of choice during breaks, but it's normal to have a standard language/languages for use 'in the office' or 'on the floor'. You need to see what your HR policy says - it is covered in ours.

Do they speak English to you when discussing work? Does it hinder your role?

If they are having general social conversations in their own language then I don’t know what the issue is ?

It’s similar to colleagues being friendly in the office, conversing in English but not including you.
Also if people want to whisper into each other’s ears or talk quietly you can’t control that either regardless of what language is spoken.

I find it so interesting working in a multi cultural environment & found when asked what different words mean I get a positive reaction.

People are pleased when you show an interest & don’t try to force them into your own ways

This is so frustrating, we used to have this problem at my work. There was a colleague on a shift who was the only one who didn't speak the other language that everyone else could, although they all spoke english very well.
The other colleagues spoke in their home language all shift to each other and didn't speak to the other colleague once! So it was very isolating for her, she could also tell they were talking about other members of staff as their names were popping up randomly in the conversations.
The manager spoke to them and i don't think it's as much of a problem anymore, although they frequently swap between their home language and english now.

You could see if there's a HR policy about ir? Or try raising it with the manager again?