vestmoriawhat's your take on employers banning the use of languages other than English between coworkers at the workplace?
Cowbee [he/they]Racist, and a way for management to know if workers are discussing unionization.
Not always, it’s also a politeness thing, it depends on context
I don’t agree. Forcing people to use a language they are less comfortable with just so others can eavesdrop has nothing to do with “politeness.”
I think you should have asked what context was being referred to.
I can’t really imagine a context where it would be a politeness thing unless the English-only speaker was actively involved in the conversation but was being intentionally shut-out, and not because it was easier to convey in non-English languages but deliberately for spite.
I can’t really imagine a context except for this very common context which completely negates my point
Well said!
It isn’t the context brought up in the post body, so no, it doesn’t completely negate my point. The post is talking about banning any and all use of spanish, period, and the other user came in trying to talk about a different situation entirely.
It’s not eavesdropping lol. I worked a company that was primarily Chinese people at the head office and they made a rule of speaking in English for inclusivity.
The post references any usage of spanish as bannable. There’s a difference between workers speaking spanish with each other while someone who only speaks English is present, and workers speaking spanish with each other when nobody else is involved with the conversation. I also worked at a company with a huge portion of speakers that were uncomfortable with speaking English despite myself only speaking English, any attempt to ban their language would hurt the company.
Right? Hence context
I am directly replying to the context listed out by the user, which in this case seems to be racist and anti-worker.
And I am directly replying to you saying there is context and I specifically said not always
It is always negative in the case of the user’s context with the information we have. You implied an entirely different situation, meaning it’s an entirely different question.
It’s not an entirely different question. This is how conversations work on message boards. You say something in response to the post, and people add to the conversation. In this particular situation with the OP it could be racism, it could be dissuading people from talking about unions, quite simply all you’re doing is guessing, because you don’t have the entire story. I added that there could be more, not flat out denying what you said, saying there is context that could be the reason for situations such as this.
The context in the OP outright states anger at any use of spanish, period. This has nothing to do with “politeness,” and is always some form of racism or worker control. If OP had stated that this was only the case when said charge was involved in the conversations and felt left out, then this is a different context from the one OP provided.
You came in here trying to invent a situation that is, at its fundamentals, unique from what OP described.
Yes as i said above this is how message boards work, you say something and people add to it, hence the not always i didn’t “invent” a situation, I was talking about other situations, there is more than just this example that happens you know. Conversations are supposed to evolve
You didn’t add, though. By just saying “it depends on the context” without providing the alternative situation you were talking about, it implies that the OP’s situation may be fine with different context. Now you’re acting demeaning and pretending I must not understand how message boards work.
Here’s an example of what you could have done:
I agree that in this case it’s probably due to racism or to prevent unionization, but there are good reasons to speak a common language at work, such as if the OP’s charge was being shut out of conversations they were involved with.
This makes it clear that you’re talking about a different context, and prevents this entire back and forth.
Was it really that unclear that I was talking other possible situations (based on the actual question that op posted) about not always and context seems to me to be fairly self explanatory.
Yes, it was unclear.
I’m sorry it wasn’t clear enough lol
You’re forgiven. Try to add to the conversation from the beginning next time, otherwise it looks like you’re disagreeing that this is an instance of racism and exerting power over workers
I would also like to point that I agreed with you here, being that this particular point was about racism and abusing workers. Here
what's your take on employers banning the use of languages other than English between coworkers at the workplace? - Lemmy
cross-posted from: https://linux.community/post/3497784 [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?
Yes, after the fact. Your use of “context” without justification implies that OP’s specific situation, in an alternate context, would be fine, not that an alternate situation may be different.
It doesn’t imply that at all, that may be how you understood it, but not at all what was implied by my reply
You mean, what you ignored?
Lol no, i clearly didn’t
Preserving “politeness” is the same tactic they use to keep workers from discussing their pay with each other, which is also deeply anti-labor.
Sure, I won’t disagree that it’s anti labour, but being polite to and around your co workers is important
You can tell it’s not that cuz of how quick the person got angry. If it’s remarkable enough to seem strange, there’s a reason.
Why do you care about what I do if I’m not talking you? If talking a different language seems impolite to you and you’re not the one talking, who the fuck cares? That’s a you problem.
Sure you’re allowed to be ass, that’s also a you problem lol
‘allowed’ lol thank for the permission boss
Lol kay
Charge nurses and power tripping, name a more iconic duo.
If you’re scared of another language it just means you’re a puta gordo
nymnympseudonym50+ Caucasian cis male multinational tech company middle manager here.
I speak Spanish on work zooms, when everyone else is in Mexico.
TBH I do it because I try to avoid being the asshole boss who everyone else has to accommodate, and instead be the pluralistic, humble boss that shows appropriate deference and respect to the employees that actually do the work.
ℕ𝕖𝕞𝕠Sounds like that wasn’t your employer, that was your manager. I’d take that to the employer and ask if this rule is authorized, because it seems like a huge overstep on your manager’s part.
RobotToasterI was always told it’s a bit rude to use a language that not everyone present understands, since you’re basically excluding people from the conversation. Your example seems a bit silly though.
Offense: “a bit rude”
Punishment: no job, bad references, no health insurance
What’s funny is no charge nurse is capable of getting you to the point of getting fired over this shit. They’re just capable of making you want to quit.
imo in this case the offence wouldn’t be the “a bit rude” part: nobody likely got fired for speaking another language before the rule… the offence would be breaking company policy/rules
Same. English is my second language but I still make sure to speak english even if talking to someone from my country if there is someone who doesn’t speak portuguese nearby
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.
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.
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?
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
'How dare you not letting me police and force myself on your conversations? How inconsiderate of you ’
Spotted the American.
“Police”?
I’m Finnish and I work for a Finnish company with 30-40 different nationalities, we use English as the official language
People go to work to make a living.
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 the coworkers around me. I’m being thoughtful towards the people around me.
I also get that speaking in a language your company doesn’t understand could make them uncomfortable. I speak a 2nd language. The very few times that I’ve used it at work, 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.
People talk shit in English too. Just after shift.
SoyViking [he/him]It seems like a combination of racism (I bet they wouldn’t get worked up over two Norwegians communicating in their native language) and petty managerial tyranny.
Whooping_SealThat frankly sounds like power-tripping / intimidation, but perhaps I’m biased living amd working in a multi-lingual environment.
Yeah. Probably American institutionalized racism.
I live somewhere where French is prevalent but there’s also an important English community.
When people are speaking in English on break there’s normally no problem … but ! If you speak Arab, Spanish or even Creole on your break you’ll probably lived exactly the same thing you experienced.
My point is … racism, pernicious racism and control
𝕱𝖎𝖗𝖊𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖈𝖍Vous êtes au Québec n’est pas?
hansoloI believe “ah, claro, y señor puede chupar mis juevos con salsa fresca” would be a proper response.
What companies are doing this?
It’s being pushed in a lot of NZ hospitals at the moment. The claim is something along the lines of “all healthcare discussions need to be in english to avoid miscommunication”, but in reality it’s a bunch of white people getting upset because they think brown people are talking shit about them behind their backs.
Maybe they are, and they’re polite enough to make sure they speak in a language they don’t understand so they don’t hurt their feelings, lol. But even that isn’t enough for the Anglo-Saxon man! 😔😂