IF ENGLISH IS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE USA, HOW CAN EMPLOYERS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT BILINGUAL? IS THIS RIGHT?

by Drue-AFCL Posted 2012/05/11 20:30:57

Related Topics: English, Language, Employers, Bilingual, Official Language, USA

Read More

31 votes
Read all 29 opinions
View Results and Demographics + View Demographics

Loading Demographics... Click an icon to see demographic results Display unknown and private
	YES	14 votes	45%
	NO	17 votes	55%

Add a comment above

TuringsChild 2012/05/11 21:04:20

YES

+4
In a FREE MARKET employers are free to choose employees who have larger skillsets. It makes sense to hire someone who can communicate with a larger percentage of the company's clientele. Some things simply are NOT govt business.
>> See Replies

More polls by Drue-AFCL

Bozette 2012/05/12 16:50:01

YES

+1
If an employer has need for a bi-lingual or multi-lingual person and that need is part of the job description, it is no different than someone not being accepted for a job than requires heavy lifting if they are unable to do so. There are many jobs that would require more than one language. If an employer is being discriminating in hiring someone who meets the requirements to do the job, that is not "discrimination" in a bad sense.

Would it be discrimination to turn down a male applicant for a ladies room attendant? Or a female for a men's locker room? Or a 90 pound weakling for a job that requires constant lifting of 80 pound items? A person in a wheel chair to be a fireman expected climb ladders and carry people out of burning buildings?

Jobs may require certain qualifications without being discriminatory.

reply
Reggie☮ 2012/05/12 16:07:54

NO

If English as the official language is ever put into law.

reply
D D 2012/05/12 02:31:21

NO

My son has had trouble getting a job because he didn't speak Spanish. This is an English speaking country. If I had been living where he does, I would have let that store have it.

reply
JimmyIIX 2012/05/12 01:08:08

NO

+1
Any time you throw discrimination in the mix, it's never right.

reply
Chanch 2012/05/11 23:58:40

YES

It's America ! Learn the language if you are here legally and intend to stay. If not, GO HOME !!

reply
Mike 2012/05/11 23:45:49

NO

It sure should be - but with the amount of legal and illegal immigration Spanish speaking don't have the need or desire in some cases.

reply
Linnster 2012/05/11 22:53:02

YES

Neither of your answers is appropriate because the question presumes we have an official language when we do not.

reply
lady_c5_loadmaster 2012/05/11 22:08:47

YES

The main reason is because there is no law that states that English is our official language (even though I think there should be).

reply
flaca BN-0 2012/05/11 22:03:47

YES

+1
Here in TX a lot of companies have myriad customers who speak poor english. But they are customers. If you apply for a job at such a company and you can speak english and spanish and have the skills they need, they're gonna pick you over someone who can't communicate with many of their customers. It's life. It ain't gonna change.

reply
Gordon 2012/05/11 21:55:12

YES

+1
The toads in DC have never passed a law making English the official, and only legal language of the USA. They've been too busy feathering their own nests.

It is unfair that real Americans are denied jobs because they don't speak Hispanic. It has happened to me.

reply
\V/ 2012/05/11 21:48:44

NO

$\V/$

+1
I live in C O L O R A D O. THIS STATE DID NOT CROSS THE BORDER, THE BORDER CROSSED US.

reply
Andy Fl... to \V/ 2012/05/14 05:07:03

+1 for the "Machete" reference.

reply
DoxieDad 2012/05/11 21:07:36

NO

+1
No it is not right but understandable as English is not the Officially recognized language of the United States. It is the accepted language. Business's who do business in communities where different languages are spoken or in areas where foreign tourism is do benefit from employees that are multi lingual. So it is understandable that they would prefer a Bi-lingual employee.

reply
TuringsChild 2012/05/11 21:04:20

YES

+4
In a FREE MARKET employers are free to choose employees who have larger skillsets. It makes sense to hire someone who can communicate with a larger percentage of the company's clientele. Some things simply are NOT govt business.

reply
Iamfree 2012/05/11 20:47:09

NO

+3
Sadly, our legislators refuse to enact laws that make English our official language, so employers are within their rights to discriminate against English-only speaker. It's a farce.

reply
☠ Live ... to Iamfree 2012/05/11 21:19:59

+3
Why? Some jobs require you to speak with people in other countries on the phone or over the web. You can't be an embassedor to another nation if you aren't multilingual, unless it's to Britain or Austrailia. Being multilingual makes it easier to work with/on an airline and study in another country.

It isn't descrimination, it's hiring based on job skills. If a job requires you to know a foreign language and you only speak English, either learn the language or get a different job. If that's descrimination, then it's also descrimination to hire based on experience and education level.

reply
Pops 2012/05/11 20:44:10

NO

+3
DISCRIMINATE = Treat differently on the basis of factors such as sex, race, age, etc. The little "ETC" does it. I hear or see this all the time. Our (USA) government says, "We do not discriminate !" Then singles people out based on having small children, color, "ETC". I saw a line right after "No discrimination" that said "Are you Spanish ?" And everyone that said yes went to the front of the line...

reply
Seonag 2012/05/11 20:36:15 (edited)

YES

+2
Unfortunately, English is NOT the official language of the USA --- Congress has refused to make it so. So, if you are bilingual (especially Spanish) you often have a better chance to get a job. Some states even have put in their ads for state positions that you must speak Spanish.

Not that I agree with any of this! I think those coming to the USA should be required to learn English but until it because the 'official language' --- well, not much one can do!

reply
holly go lightly 2012/05/11 20:36:03

YES

+3
It's right with me.I would insist workers had complete communication while on the job.I think I may go so far as to post signs stating ENGLISH ONLY unless it is lunch or break time.If that hurt someones feelings they could look fro work elsewhere.

reply
♒ßεllεchεvεllε®♒ 2012/05/11 20:35:35

YES

+1
It's reality in Texas. But discrimination is WRONG.

reply
FAWKES' NOOSE ~ ΔTX 2012/05/11 20:34:38

YES

+1
English is NOT the official language of the United States. The United States does not have an official language.

It would be really nice if you brought some intelligence to the table ONCE IN A WHILE.

reply
☠ Live Free Or Die ☠ 2012/05/11 20:33:39

YES

+1
If being multilingual makes you better qualified for a job and you aren't multilingual GET OVER IT and look for a different job!

reply
Turings... to ☠ Live ... 2012/05/11 21:06:22

+2
....or learn another language....

reply
☠ Live ... to Turings... 2012/05/11 21:13:28

+1
.....yeah, that too!

reply
Mark In Irvine 2012/05/11 20:33:01

YES

+2
if the job reasonably requires facility in English, then it can be considered a job requirement and it is not discrimination.

reply
John Storz 2012/05/11 20:32:54

NO

+2
Actually the US has no official language... sorry to disappoint.

reply
Drue-AFCL 2012/05/11 20:32:02

NO

+2
BUT IT IS A REALITY!

reply
ray to Drue-AFCL 2012/05/11 20:43:36

+2
The employer sets the qualifications for the job.
It is not discrimination to only hire those who meet the employers requirements.

reply
John Storz to Drue-AFCL 2012/05/11 22:56:04

I've talked to an HR manager about this, and did you know that since its NOT legally discriminatory to only hire bi-lingual employees, it's also NOT discriminatory as a customer to demand service from a non-ESL employee. Or hire only English speakers.

reply