To think this is discrimination or at least unfair?

[Sweet666]

So today the manager at work told us we can only speak English unless we are explaining the work... not allowed to chat basically except in English. So people who can talk good English are allowed to have chats all day but if you can't speak English then you're not allowed to have a chat. I think this is wrong and unfair. Why should you have to be silent all day if you can't speak English but if you are English or speak good English then you're allowed to chat as much as you want?
4

[MrsPear]

My husband’s first language is not English. He never speaks his first language at work even when the whole team speaks his first. In his opinion it’s rude, unprofessional and can be a safety issue. You have break times. This is in construction.

[Sweet666]

You say first language but what if he didn't speak any English? Then he should just never talk all day? This is where my problem is

[OldAndWornOut]

It depends on your job, I would say.

[Ylvamoon]

Your boss has obviously decided that English is the language of your workplace.
I think the message is clear for the people who speak very little to no English: learn English. There is plenty of opportunity to learn through chatting.

PS: I learned English through living and working in the UK. It's not an unreasonable request.

[Narniacalling]

Sounds a bit harsh. What does he think you’re doing, slagging him off behind his back
Who cares what language you chat in if you’re doing your job

[CrochetOrBust]

Are you in a mainly English-speaking area? For example,, I’d think it was unfair if you were in a Welsh-speaking area and not allowed to speak Welsh at all.

[Floralnomad]

Assuming that you are in the UK the answer is to learn the language . Your managers rule is a very common one in workplaces . The more you use the language the quicker you will learn it .

[Sweet666]

It took me a long time to learn English and in classes they didn't just talk English at us, you need to know what a word means and that means saying that non English word in the first place. So it's not like people at wotk who can't speak any English can just suddenly learn it just by people talking English at them... just means they are not allowed to talk unless it's about the work... if that makes sense

[CharlotteRose90]

If you live in the uk then yes the language should be English. My mum moved from Europe to here and picked up the language in over a year. If you practice and keep at it the quicker you’ll learn it

[MiddlesexGirl]

It's a good practice in my opinion. Helps to integrate the workforce. Improves the language skills of those less fluent. Helps to prevent people being excluded.

[Narniacalling]

Why are people saying learn English.

Currently it is against the law for them to discriminate against you speaking your own native language at work unless it directly affects your role in the workplace.

If you’re chatting about what you’re having for dinner with a colleague then that’s totally fine.

Speak to HR or seek help from your union if you have one

[Emeraldshamrock]

It isn't fair but I can see their point. My friend Irish works with many EE she finds it hard to be included awkward I'm sure it does for non English speakers best way of learning is practice. I feel similar in shops if staff are chatting in a foreign language serving you.
Lunch breaks no problem on the floor I can why it is an issue.

[MiddlesexGirl]

So it's not like people at wotk who can't speak any English can just suddenly learn it just by people talking English at them

People do learn a lot by listening though. I had only very limited German when I went there some years ago and I was astonished how much I picked up just by listening to conversations.

[Emeraldshamrock]

Ffs my post isn't very clear English.
It is unfair to expect a person to stay silent all day.

[Sweet666]

About integration... the English people from England are on the other side of the room from Romanians and Polish etc who are also in groups and most of the supervisors are Romanian and Polish so I dont think it is about that

[Wingedharpy]

What is the work?

Is the workplace based in England?

[RedMarauder]

OP you were already given a clear answer by Narniacalling

Go to HR or your union, and talk to them.

If you have no HR and aren't in a union then you and your colleagues need to organise yourselves.

[JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]

Discrimination, surely?

I hope your manager doesn't speak English when he goes on holiday abroad?

[Corcory]

Narniacalling - where does it say it's illegal to ask people to speak the language of the country they are in?

[Onesailwait]

I can't see why it matters if the others in the group speak & understand the language you are using. Do they expect the ESL staff to stay silent all day?.

[Narniacalling]

The Equality Act 2010 defines ‘race’ as including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins, and native language falls within that definition.

so if speaking your native language is banned for no reason then you can use that case. Proving it on the other hand is another thing all together.

[Emeraldshamrock]

Do you think they are trying to bring the employees together, it sounds very segregated if you are split into 3 groups.
Many men in my job picked up the language from listening to others.

[Narniacalling]

I mean they could easily say that you not speaking English affects the business. And it would be hard to prove otherwise.
Depends how much you want to fight over it

[LaBellina]

You can cause segegration, and even exclusion/bullying of some people if people do not speak the same language at at workplace. However, if some employees do not speak English well or not at all and they were hired based on the employer being fully aware of that, I think it's fair if the company offers them a course or something to teach them the language and their (native) English speaking coworkers should make an effort to help them.

[WhatKatyDidNxt]

It’s standard in my line of work. English is the language of the work place and it’s a disciplinary offence to deviate from that

Why when people aren’t happy with something these days, then they say it’s discrimination or bullying?!