To say something about language spoken at work

[Babbleoff]

Im in an english speaking country. I have started working in an office where the majority of other employees are from another country. They speak their own language all of the time. I mean, ALL of the time!! Whether its office banter or actual work issues, all in their language.

I am very experienced, have been employed for my specialist skills and am relatively senior, altho its a small company with a fairly flat structure.

I am feeling very excluded and struggling to fit in due to the fact that i dont speak the other language. I find it rude that in a small and close working environment no consideration is given to english speakers. The other couple of english speakers are much more junior than me and i don't think they'd say anything.

I make an effort to talk to people. On occasions a conversation i have started gets picked up by someone else and they take over and continue in their language. At lunch they speak their language even if im sitting with them.

AIBU to raise this with my boss? I feel like a dick suggesting people dont speak their own language, but ive been upset almost to the point of tears about this. I can go all day without being included in any conversations unless i start them myself. I feel so stupid even about that because ive been working for yrs and have very thick skin (bit of a cutthroat industry).

i should also point out that speaking their language is not necessary for the job and was not a requirement or mentioned during hiring process.

That depends? Are you in England or another country where they happen to speak english but they also have their own language?

Can you look for a new job?

you should say something
i would never speak my mother tongue in the presence of colleagues who do not speak it

YANBU but I don’t see how you can ask people to stop speaking their language just to include you in conversations.

When you realise that one person can speak your language (let alone a bunch of other people), you don’t think twice to speak in that language when around them.

As a pp asked, are you in England? It’s different if you’re in England or in an English speaking country where your colleagues are speaking the native language there. If it’s the latter then you certainly can’t tell them to not speak the language of the country because YOU don’t understand

Speak to your boss.
Why put up with it?
It’s a kind of exclusion if they refrain from speaking to you in English. Insidious bullying even.
Actually in your shoes I’d find another (decent and inclusive) place to work.

I’m in Uk. All the staff speak fluent english and some have lived here for many years/ raising families here etc…

I dont want to look for another job as this is a new job. Im a few months in (and have been giving them the benefit of doubt) and also i want it to work. They are on most levels nice people and seem fun (if i could understand what they are bantering about!!)

Your company should have a Common Language Policy, which essentially states which language should be spoken in the office. It should explain that in meetings and emails what language should be spoken. Ask your HR team for a copy

Im in the tech industry, working in England, and I am definitely the odd one out but in meetings everyone speaks English, at lunchtime and banter at desks English is not spoken, but I don’t care!

In the UK or in England?

I feel like this is a Welsh bashing thread if I'm honest.

I dunno. I'd feel a bit odd trying to dictate the language of conversations that don't include me.

All of this is spot on. Except i feel i should at least try something and see if it changes before i walk. I could get another job, but i was excited about this one and keen for it to work out. So disappointed by this situation.

I think that is rude of them, I work with a lot of people of different nationalities and sometimes there are two people that speak the same language, if they are having a private conversation to one side they might speak to one another in their own language but as soon as someone else enters the room they will revert to English so they are not excluding anyone. I think it’s just good manners. I’ve no idea how you would address this though. I guess maybe bring it up with your boss as you have suggested.

This is how i feel but some of the conversations should include me due to nature of my role. Often a lenghty discussion is had in the other language and at the end my boss will come to me with a question. Its holding back how fast i’m learning about the company, how things work, who does what…

I do just want to get on with my work for most of the day… but the cumulative effect after a few months is that i just dont feel like part of the team and that feels crap.

If you're in Wales and your colleagues are speaking Welsh YABU.

Nope, not the case.

Cross posted with your last post OP. I do think that if the job was advertised as English speaking then actual work related conversation should be in English but I don't think you can or should police other conversation. If you want to join in you'll have to learn some Welsh.

OK Fair enough then. In which case I change my answer to YANBU!

Have you said anything to your colleagues? Due to the nature of the work I worked/ lived and eat with 3 Germans when living in Australia. They would talk in German to each other around the house/ when chatting but if I was with them I'd ask them to speak English. 2 had no issue and change to include 1 told me to learn German and would still respond to the others in German but he was an arse and was fired quickly.

I’m trying to minimise any outing details. How on earth you think its a welsh bashing thread from what I've written so far is beyond me.

But to reassure you, I’m in England and its a european language they are speaking.

Because you said it was an English speaking country and when I asked if it was England you replied it was the UK.

There are threads on MN often enough bashing welsh people for speaking welsh the refusal to answer the question directly and the odd wording in your opening post made me think it could be one of those.

England is a big enough place that I don't think saying you work in England is going to be outing tbh.

In the first week i mentioned it in a diplomatic roundabout way. It was acknowledged and a joke was made about not speaking so much in their language. Its been hard to get to know people as I'm so excluded and so its been hard to find an opportunity to raise it.

What do you realistically think you can achieve if you say something?
If they are made to stop because of you, they'll hate you.

Start learning the language and enjoy the free, daily exposure?

It is a bit of an odd situation that I sympathise with. One of my customers has been convinced that his understanding of the UK taxation system is completely in line with his cultural/religious beliefs - 2 years later he's finally improving his understanding, not because of me, but because his similar heritage accountant advises so.

I take it on the chin as all us British are the descendants of colonial motherfuckers apparently.

But when I questioned the wording of a contract - I was told that "I'm Bangladeshi and he's from India so I don't like him". Silly me just thought they were both from Birmingham.

This happened in my work place and the people were spoken to and told to refrain. The whole team were advised it was absolutely not tolerated. A few weeks later they slipped back and one was disciplined. That stopped it. Personally I think it's very rude and not acceptable

No need to be diplomatic. Just factual. Tell your boss that you didn't expect to have full days at work where colleagues exclusively communicate in a language you don't understand. Tell your boss it isn't the work environment you were expecting. Leave them to deal with it.

I knew someone would suggest i learn the language. I have a very intense and demanding job, kids, other obligations and existing hobbies i enjoy. But sure, I’ll throw another language in there and I'm sure ill be up to speed in a year or so no time.