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?
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People aren’t going to be happy, they won’t be as productive and they’ll probably end up leaving/having more time off sick

Possibly, yes, but if this is low skill work I imagine the employer will have no difficulty replacing any who leave - and if they're sacked a lack of language will interfere with them speaking up for themselves, which would be a shame

I lived one place where people spoke English there for twenty years rather than learn the local language, thus forcing everybody around them to speak English

I was going to ask "Brittany?" except for the last bit - I've known plenty of French who speak better English than I do, but faced with an expectation they'll do it (and in their own country at that) a certain stubborness can creep in

@NoOneOwnsTheRainbow yes, it is disturbing.
I am always surprised when I see people who learned german at school where I am from, talking about going to UK. I have many times pointed out that Germany is a great choice (even better maybe) especially since they have the language.

It is not easy to learn languages. But if someone wants to work abroad, they really should learn the base at least. It's safer, gives better options and last, but not oeats, it's the right thing to do

@Mumofsend

If its in England then speak English. Likewise I wouldn't go to Spain and then refuse to speak Spanish.

You wouldn't but it is frankly embarrassing the number of British people living here in Spain who don't speak the language and complain about staff in supermarkets/restaurants /town hall/ hopsitals who don't speak good English.

And no we can't teach English because we need Romanian to teach English

Rubbish. It is perfectly possible to teach English if you don't speak the other person's language. I've taught classes of mixed nationalities and it's absolutely possible. In fact i think it goes quicker.

Native English speakers (all nationalities!) are some of the worst at thinking they can not bother learning the local language

Very true, and sometimes it can be for the same reason as incomers ... they know there'll be many fellow-speakers around and don't see why they should have to bother

If its in England then speak English. Likewise I wouldn't go to Spain and then refuse to speak Spanish.

This is the sort of rubbish people say when they have no concept of the experience of being in another country working in a non-native country.

I completed part of my nurse training in another European country in another language. I worked extremely hard at my language skills, and I was able to do my role adequately, but there were so many things I couldn't easily express. Everything was task based, and as himans we need more than that - the opportunity to talk about our thoughts and encourage each other.

It was also absolutely exhausting. I never got to the point I thought in the language, so I was translating everything said to me, concentrating hard all the time. It was exhausting!

I worked nearly all the time in the language of the country, but if I was on a break at the same time as the other British student nurse I 100% spoke English with them. It was such a relief to have a few minutes to properly express myself!

*non-native language

@LakeGeneva

In any country where I've lived, not speaking english at work but the langage of that country was expected.

Ok, shall we country-off then?

I've lived and worked in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, South America and Central America.

In all of those places, I could have very easily got by with just speaking English. I know loads of people who did so, most of whom earned significantly more than people born there. I myself did not do that, but it was pretty normal.

It depends how you've got there though. As an expat? Yes Im sure people will have got away with it. Coming with a set of skill that is are and unsual? Yep I'm sure you can away with it too.

As someone who just apply for a job like any other native wo any specific qualification/tspecigic skill set? Not so much. Why would a company put themselves in a situation where they have to speak what is a foreign language to them if they can avoid it???

Its horrible to be somewhere where people are talking a language you don't understand - possibly about you. If everyone has some english this is the common language so this is the one to be spoken. The more it is used the more fluent people will become in it. Presumably everyone has at least a little English to be able to do the job - read the communications, directions, speak to customers etc

I find this really sad. I can see this ‘integrating’ the work force. Just making the workforce unhappy.

Can’t I meant

@AIMD

I find this really sad. I can see this ‘integrating’ the work force. Just making the workforce unhappy.

There will always be someone unhappy

most places i have worked have had this rule. English is the official language (when in England)

But, it was always acceptable, if someone didn't understand a term/phrase for someone to explain quickly in THEIR language, what it meant.

Its horrible to be somewhere where people are talking a language you don't understand

This is an example of the privileged group refusing to have even a little inconvenience rather than the minority group have a massive, massive inconvenience.

Honestly, just deal with the slight worry someone might be talking about you. That is small stuff compared to being from expressing yourself for long periods of the day.

I teach maths to 16+ students. Lots of them speak ESoL. They're literally from all over the world.

I ask them to only speak English in class unless they're struggling with a particular word or phrase (I have a strong ish regional accent which sometimes doesn't help!)

If they're struggling of course they ask each other in either their own language if a few share it, or a cobble together if not.

I have 1 fantastic guy who was a teacher in his home country. He wants to teach here and will be great. He's insanely clever but his English is terrible. I tell him to only speak English in class and the others know to speak only English back to him. If he's struggling with word or phrase we muddle through despite there being 4 others who speak his native Turkish - i rephrase or jump about like a mad woman acting it out

It drives him mad in a really good humoured way. He needs to learn and has come on loads. He piped up with a regional phrase he'd picked up at his church foodbank online last week and the rest of the class cheered

He needs English to progress his career choice, get adequate housing, sort his benefits, get medical treatment etc

i rephrase or jump about like a mad woman acting it out

A lot of the time it would be quicker for you to just translate.

I feel for you that you are hampered in this way but you're helping no one.

@Workyticket

I teach maths to 16+ students. Lots of them speak ESoL. They're literally from all over the world.

I ask them to only speak English in class unless they're struggling with a particular word or phrase (I have a strong ish regional accent which sometimes doesn't help!)

If they're struggling of course they ask each other in either their own language if a few share it, or a cobble together if not.

I have 1 fantastic guy who was a teacher in his home country. He wants to teach here and will be great. He's insanely clever but his English is terrible. I tell him to only speak English in class and the others know to speak only English back to him. If he's struggling with word or phrase we muddle through despite there being 4 others who speak his native Turkish - i rephrase or jump about like a mad woman acting it out

It drives him mad in a really good humoured way. He needs to learn and has come on loads. He piped up with a regional phrase he'd picked up at his church foodbank online last week and the rest of the class cheered

He needs English to progress his career choice, get adequate housing, sort his benefits, get medical treatment etc

You sound like a great teacher.

In work times perfectly reasonable. In breaks not.

Same would apply with the local language were you living and working in another country, or even if resident there long term. I'm concerned that those who do not learn the local language are at risk of exploitation more, or unable to seek help and escape if in an abusive situation.

Asking someone to speak English for the length of a lesson is totally different to insisting on it in a fulltime workplace.

@LakeGeneva

i rephrase or jump about like a mad woman acting it out

A lot of the time it would be quicker for you to just translate.

I feel for you that you are hampered in this way but you're helping no one.

He thanks me for helping him so I'll take that. No need to feel for me - he's one of the highlights of my week and I've offered him teaching experience in my classes once Covid rules allow.

@Stompythedinosaur

Asking someone to speak English for the length of a lesson is totally different to insisting on it in a fulltime workplace.

It's a 3 hour lesson so still quite a big ask.

@Workyticket

I teach maths to 16+ students. Lots of them speak ESoL. They're literally from all over the world.

I ask them to only speak English in class unless they're struggling with a particular word or phrase (I have a strong ish regional accent which sometimes doesn't help!)

If they're struggling of course they ask each other in either their own language if a few share it, or a cobble together if not.

I have 1 fantastic guy who was a teacher in his home country. He wants to teach here and will be great. He's insanely clever but his English is terrible. I tell him to only speak English in class and the others know to speak only English back to him. If he's struggling with word or phrase we muddle through despite there being 4 others who speak his native Turkish - i rephrase or jump about like a mad woman acting it out

It drives him mad in a really good humoured way. He needs to learn and has come on loads. He piped up with a regional phrase he'd picked up at his church foodbank online last week and the rest of the class cheered

He needs English to progress his career choice, get adequate housing, sort his benefits, get medical treatment etc

Presumably them speaking English means that everyone is following the class discussion though and not missing parts.

Chatting whilst sticking lids on bottles (think that was what the op said the job was) would not be hampered by people speaking a language other than English.

In your example communicating is presumably integral to the task/learning. It’s not an integral part of the job described by the op.

@AIMD you're right, of course.

The man I mentioned is better at maths than me so doesn't particularly need to follow every discussion

I absolutely think the workers should be able to speak their language on breaks etc but it is important that they take every opportunity to learn English if they plan to live here long term.

English is widely spoken in the world and, if I found myself in need in a different country, I'd probably be able to find an English speaker quite easily to help me. I'd be embarrassed if I chose to live in another country long term and didn't try though

If the workers speak Russian / Polish it's unlikely that someone in a bank / call centre / A&E / 101 in England would be able to help them quickly unfortunately

Pretty sure it wouldn’t stand up at tribunal. It’s racism. Direct discrimination.
Expecting a nurse to speak English to English speaking patients or in meetings, for example, would be reasonable. To dictate they can’t speak Spanish at the nurses station when conversing with another Spanish nurse would be unreasonable.

@CherryRoulade

Pretty sure it wouldn’t stand up at tribunal. It’s racism. Direct discrimination. Expecting a nurse to speak English to English speaking patients or in meetings, for example, would be reasonable. To dictate they can’t speak Spanish at the nurses station when conversing with another Spanish nurse would be unreasonable.

They can disctate that. They can't disctate it on breaks though