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what's your take on employers banning the use of languages other than English between coworkers at the workplace? (linux.community)

submitted 1 month ago by vestmoria@linux.community to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

93 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://linux.community/post/3497784

Example: several of my former coworkers are from Mexico, Peru and Argentina, meaning they share Spanish as a common language.

I used to practice Spanish with them, but my last charge (like a ward's manager) would yell at us to stop it, use English only. She would get very angry really fast if she heard anything in a language she didn't understand.

I find it stupid, because some of them would use Spanish to better explain to the new nurses how to do certain procedures, but maybe I'm missing something?

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[–] Randomgal@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Talking to a person excludes all others by default. If I'm talking to you I'm not talking to the guy behind me. What does the guy behind me care what language we're using? And why should I care about the one I'm NOT talking to.

[–] moodymellodrone@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Nah if it’s the workplace, I treat it like talking at a dinner table. I’m definitely using the common language and not excluding my coworkers. I’m being thoughtful towards the people around me.

I also get that speaking in a language my company doesn’t understand could make them uncomfortable. I speak a 2nd language. The very few times that I’ve used it at work (not in an interpreter/translator capacity), it was because a certain coworker switched to talk shit about another coworker to me. So yes, people absolutely do this to talk shit. It’s not paranoia, it happens.

[–] Randomgal@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

People talk shit in English too. Just after shift.

[–] lepinkainen@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Hallway chat is the reason people come to the office.

It’s impossible to take part if people use a language you don’t know.

[–] ArgumentativeMonotheist@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I thought people came to work because they needed the money, lol. And, yes, it's impossible, and perhaps they don't wanna include me in the conversation... am I supposed to force them?

[–] lepinkainen@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yes. It’s polite to communicate in a way others can participate

If you don’t want to do it, don’t hire people who don’t speak the company language

[–] Randomgal@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

'How dare you not letting me police and force myself on your conversations? How inconsiderate of you '

Spotted the American.

[–] lepinkainen@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

“Police”?

I’m Finnish and I work for a Finnish company with 30-40 different nationalities, we use English as the official language

[–] Randomgal@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 month ago

People go to work to make a living.