Discussion
I am sure it's been covered before.
But had an English only situation at work yesterday, large shop floor, split into small work groups, obviously ever increasing numbers of nationalities working together.
This was an interesting one though. Small group of Poles talking while working and a guy is sitting doing his work and hears a name mentioned numerous times, a fellow English work colleague who works with the group.
Guy raises this and says something like "do you know how rude that sounds or appears?" Response is not very helpful along the lines of STFU.
Temperatures raise as a result.
I think in general most people are tolerant, but I think in this instance if someone hears a group talking about an individual, no matter the topic, that is a little rude or ignorant.
Is a guy right to mention it? Is it then right for said Pole to be a little angry at the question?
Tricky one in my view.
But had an English only situation at work yesterday, large shop floor, split into small work groups, obviously ever increasing numbers of nationalities working together.
This was an interesting one though. Small group of Poles talking while working and a guy is sitting doing his work and hears a name mentioned numerous times, a fellow English work colleague who works with the group.
Guy raises this and says something like "do you know how rude that sounds or appears?" Response is not very helpful along the lines of STFU.
Temperatures raise as a result.
I think in general most people are tolerant, but I think in this instance if someone hears a group talking about an individual, no matter the topic, that is a little rude or ignorant.
Is a guy right to mention it? Is it then right for said Pole to be a little angry at the question?
Tricky one in my view.
I manage a team of around 30 technicians, and around 7 of them are Polish.
Talking amongst themselves in their own language is causing a lot of trouble on the workshop floor but I must admit I’m a bit loathed to do anything about it because of the backlash it might cause, seeing as this is PC 2018 Britain.
Talking amongst themselves in their own language is causing a lot of trouble on the workshop floor but I must admit I’m a bit loathed to do anything about it because of the backlash it might cause, seeing as this is PC 2018 Britain.
If supervising I would stay clear of any disciplinary proceedings around 'english only' without seeking advice, could potentially argue safety reasons if working with hazardous materials/equipment but employment tribunals don't like the hint of dismissal/displinary due to racism. I would remind staff that it could be seen as rude if fellow colleagues are mentioned in conversation, I would also speak to the aggrieved staff and say that they could have been talking positively, without knowing exactly what was said then I wouldn't make a big issue of it.
Our head office is in Germany. Whenever there is a formal meeting or a social gathering and there is one or more non German speakers in the room, they all speak English. Even if they are muttering to each other and not addressing the wider group, they are told to switch to English. They are very strict on this and often interrupt their fellow Germans if they slip into their own language. That's in their own country!
I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
There is no reason to speak in English if everyone involved in the conversation does not involve native English speakers.
Plenty of English speakers working overseas speak English to other English speakers at work without being told to switch languages, so don’t tell people to switch here either.
Plenty of English speakers working overseas speak English to other English speakers at work without being told to switch languages, so don’t tell people to switch here either.
toon10 said:
Our head office is in Germany. Whenever there is a formal meeting or a social gathering and there is one or more non German speakers in the room, they all speak English. Even if they are muttering to each other and not addressing the wider group, they are told to switch to English. They are very strict on this and often interrupt their fellow Germans if they slip into their own language. That's in their own country!
I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
Are you talking about a different level of employee to shop floor workers, or even technicians?I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
Having said that, I was in a head-office in Frankfurt recently with a Brit employee of that company and German was spoken in our presence a few times.
Sheepshanks said:
toon10 said:
Our head office is in Germany. Whenever there is a formal meeting or a social gathering and there is one or more non German speakers in the room, they all speak English. Even if they are muttering to each other and not addressing the wider group, they are told to switch to English. They are very strict on this and often interrupt their fellow Germans if they slip into their own language. That's in their own country!
I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
Are you talking about a different level of employee to shop floor workers, or even technicians?I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
Having said that, I was in a head-office in Frankfurt recently with a Brit employee of that company and German was spoken in our presence a few times.
toon10 said:
Our head office is in Germany. Whenever there is a formal meeting or a social gathering and there is one or more non German speakers in the room, they all speak English. Even if they are muttering to each other and not addressing the wider group, they are told to switch to English. They are very strict on this and often interrupt their fellow Germans if they slip into their own language. That's in their own country!
I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
Wow! That's interesting. Being told that you can't speak Welsh in Wales would be pretty offensive. I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/spor...
creampuff said:
There is no reason to speak in English if everyone involved in the conversation does not involve native English speakers.
chunder27 said:
Ia guy is sitting doing his work and hears a name mentioned numerous times, a fellow English work colleague who works with the group.
If they're talking about someone, then IMO they're 'involved in the conversation' as it's taking place within earshot.Connectors
I see your point. And that would be my view, fair enough talk among yourselves socially, but if you are talking about someone you are working with or even mentioning their name, even if the person who hears it is not that person, surely it's common sense to not realise that person might get a little concerned or whatever about that. No matter whether the conversation is negative, or anything.
Plus you can't join in the conversation if another language is being spoken, so you can't share experiences about driving, or sport or general things. It does not bother me overly, but I don't have to sit next to it all day as my colleague does.
This is not something that is being reported and there is no HR involvement, just happened on the shopfloor and caused a kerfuffle and was interested to hear peoples views.
I see your point. And that would be my view, fair enough talk among yourselves socially, but if you are talking about someone you are working with or even mentioning their name, even if the person who hears it is not that person, surely it's common sense to not realise that person might get a little concerned or whatever about that. No matter whether the conversation is negative, or anything.
Plus you can't join in the conversation if another language is being spoken, so you can't share experiences about driving, or sport or general things. It does not bother me overly, but I don't have to sit next to it all day as my colleague does.
This is not something that is being reported and there is no HR involvement, just happened on the shopfloor and caused a kerfuffle and was interested to hear peoples views.
Rh14n said:
Wow! That's interesting. Being told that you can't speak Welsh in Wales would be pretty offensive.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/spor...
I remember sitting in a bar in Luebeck with an English colleague and a load of Germans. I felt bad that I was in Germany and my German was basic (so I could ask where the toilets were, ask for the bill, etc.) but not fully converse with my German counterparts in their native tongue in their own country. One of the group whispered something in German to another colleague and his boss actually clicked his finger at him, gave him a stare and the poor guy apologised and continued his private conversation in English. It was totally mad. I had to say don't apologise to me, I'm in your country!https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/spor...
CX53 said:
I manage a team of around 30 technicians, and around 7 of them are Polish.
Talking amongst themselves in their own language is causing a lot of trouble on the workshop floor but I must admit I’m a bit loathed to do anything about it because of the backlash it might cause, seeing as this is PC 2018 Britain.
You're a manager and can't deal with that? If you don't know how to then seek advice from your employer.Talking amongst themselves in their own language is causing a lot of trouble on the workshop floor but I must admit I’m a bit loathed to do anything about it because of the backlash it might cause, seeing as this is PC 2018 Britain.
However, if you have the attitude of "seeing as this is PC 2018 Britain" I'd question your suitability for management.
CRC25 said:
If supervising I would stay clear of any disciplinary proceedings around 'english only' without seeking advice, could potentially argue safety reasons if working with hazardous materials/equipment but employment tribunals don't like the hint of dismissal/displinary due to racism. I would remind staff that it could be seen as rude if fellow colleagues are mentioned in conversation, I would also speak to the aggrieved staff and say that they could have been talking positively, without knowing exactly what was said then I wouldn't make a big issue of it.
It's quite unlikely they will have been though. My dad spoke fluent English, better than many English people in fact. But, if I had visitors round and he thought it was time they left, or he wanted to say something without them cottoning on, he would always start addressing me in Arabic.
toon10 said:
Our head office is in Germany. Whenever there is a formal meeting or a social gathering and there is one or more non German speakers in the room, they all speak English. Even if they are muttering to each other and not addressing the wider group, they are told to switch to English. They are very strict on this and often interrupt their fellow Germans if they slip into their own language. That's in their own country!
I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
In my first bank, where I was a graduate trainee, all staff were instructed to speak in English at all times when at work or at a work event.I'm not offering any kind of solution here but it's interesting to see how different counties tackle language barriers and integration.
The bank was not English, and nor were many of the staff, but it was a strictly enforced rule.
The English staff were also told to speak clearly, without slang or colloquialisms so that everyone understood what was being said and no-one was excluded.
I think that it is still absolutely fine to have a rule such as this in a workplace in England.
Roman Rhodes said:
You're a manager and can't deal with that? If you don't know how to then seek advice from your employer.
However, if you have the attitude of "seeing as this is PC 2018 Britain" I'd question your suitability for management.
lets be honest most managers are pretty inept at actually resolving issues outside their comfort zone.However, if you have the attitude of "seeing as this is PC 2018 Britain" I'd question your suitability for management.
About a decades worth of work I couldn’t have done overseas if I had had to speak Mandarin/Bahasa/Vietnamese all the time in the office.
And jobs in the U.K. where I wouldn’t have been able to use European contractors who couldn’t speak English well.
Be careful what you wish for, for it will limit your own options.
And jobs in the U.K. where I wouldn’t have been able to use European contractors who couldn’t speak English well.
Be careful what you wish for, for it will limit your own options.
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