RTURNSONLY
Well-Known Member
Two CSAs at my station just got today a 3-day suspension (without pay) from their newly-hired manager for speaking Spanish while on their un-paid breaks. Both CSAs are completely bilingual and have used Spanish to communicate among themselves for many years. I like to know what ya'll think. Is this action legal, fair and justified or just plain discrimination? Isn't this type of action by a manager a clear violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a rule that prohibits discrimination against workers based on their national origin, among other factors? More importantly, does FedEx has a blanket "English-only" policy, at least in the U.S.?
Their manager alleges that they can speak Spanish only to customers conducting business at FedEx, but not among themselves while on FedEx property and in any capacity, (breaks, personal phones calls, etc.). Personally, I think that's pushing the envelope and definitely a double standard. You're a valuable employee for one thing, but not for another. I think that, as long as you are not in a security-sensitive position, and it been business necessity, you should be allowed to speak your native language as long as you are not interrupting other employees course of business. This as a matter of respect and good manners to those co-workers. What I've noticed is that the majority of Spanish-speaking people tend to speak loud, almost like screaming, and that incommodes other people around them because they can't understand what is being said. Others, take it more personally and feel they are talking or gossiping about them. What's your opinion?
Their manager alleges that they can speak Spanish only to customers conducting business at FedEx, but not among themselves while on FedEx property and in any capacity, (breaks, personal phones calls, etc.). Personally, I think that's pushing the envelope and definitely a double standard. You're a valuable employee for one thing, but not for another. I think that, as long as you are not in a security-sensitive position, and it been business necessity, you should be allowed to speak your native language as long as you are not interrupting other employees course of business. This as a matter of respect and good manners to those co-workers. What I've noticed is that the majority of Spanish-speaking people tend to speak loud, almost like screaming, and that incommodes other people around them because they can't understand what is being said. Others, take it more personally and feel they are talking or gossiping about them. What's your opinion?