New Congressional Legislation Protects English-in-the-Workplace Policies

Legislation clarifying the right of employers to maintain English-in-the-Workplace policies was introduced yesterday by Rep. Tom Price. H.R. 1588, declares that policies requiring employees to speak English while conducting business are not considered unlawful business practices. The bill was introduced with 34 original co-sponsors. 

“In order to maximize effectiveness, safety and productivity, employers must maintain the right to establish policies that require English in the workplace,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of the Board of U.S. English, Inc. “Though we cannot overestimate the value of speaking a foreign language, we cannot underestimate the value of using the common language of English where effective communication is vital.” 

Protection of employer rights in instituting English-in-the-workplace policies has increased since the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) began prosecuting employers who required that English be spoken while conducting business. These workplace policies, which have been upheld by courts at the federal and state level, are meant to foster communication, improve safety, and ensure a cohesive workforce. Properly tailored directives such as H.R. 1588 do not apply to personal time, such as work breaks and lunch hours. 

During the 110th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate separately approved measures that would have withheld funds from the EEOC for prosecuting such cases. A November 2007 poll by Rasmussen Reports found that 77 percent of Americans believe that employers should have the right to require that employees speak English while on the job.