At work a couple of my co-workers frequently speak in Spanish to one another. Would you consider this rude?

Question

I work in a front office for a medical office where everyone works in an open environment, meaning we aren't in cubicles or individual offices - everyone can hear everyone speak. I'm not at all concerned whether or not they are talking about me per se, but myself and a number of my non-Spanish speaking co-workers thinks that it is extremely rude. I have commented a number of times to them that I think it is rude, but they just smile as if I am kidding.

I think it is really rude and classless - what do others think? If you agree how could this be handled discreetly? I don't want them to think that I am snitching on them to management, but this has to end - it's very irritating.

Answer 1

If they were at home, out in public together...anywhere except the workplace, it would not be considered rude. If, however, business is done only in English where you work then you called it correctly...rude and classless.

In the workplace people are expected to be working. If they want to have private conversations they need to have those on their private time. I realize that in a medical office bilingualism has quickly become a necessity however, it is only a necessity in order to help clients and provide services, not to chit-chat with co-workers who just happen to speak your native language.

You do need to get a consensus from your co-workers and take this to the office manager or Human Resources director to handle. Anything done in an office environment that makes an employee uncomfortable has to be dealt with. If they are on the clock then they should be talking about work. If they exclude other workers from work-related conversations by not speaking in the common language used to conduct business in your office then they are in the wrong. If they do this on their break or lunch hour then there is absolutely no place to complain about this...it's their personal time.

If they're smiling at you when you confront them about it then they are basically telling you "So what, there's nothing you can do about it because you have no idea what we're saying." Most likely they are gossiping and feel safe doing it this way. It may not necessarily be about you or your co-workers though. If they are gossiping it's not illegal...but it is rude.

The only resolution here lies with your employer. If they implement an English-only rule for work this will stop. English-only rules are only allowed by the EEOC where an employer can show that business necessity justifies the rules. If your employer cannot or will not do this then the office manager will have to come up with a solution for you and the bilingual co-workers that each of you is comfortable with.

I've posted a couple of links below as additional reading:

Answer 2

It Is Rude
That Is The WORKPLACE
And In The Workplace English Should Be Spoken

As gokart121 (Above) Pointed Out
This Is An Act Of Defiance

Take It To The Office Supervisor

If That Doesnt Work
Wait Till The Defiance Commences
And YELL At Them To SPEAK ENGLISH

You Gotta Fight FIRE With FIRE

Believe Me
Theyll Get The Hint

Answer 3

WHAT IS RUDE? THE BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE OF THE ANDALUSIAN?
You would not qualify for a management position in any field with an attitude like this.
It doesn't take an exceptional person to realize that communication is part of life.
Why don't you learn Spanish? It's not hard.Or would you rather go on-line and ask this same question 3Trey,Three, MORE times?

DO NOT EMAIL ME AGAIN BECAUSE YOU DISAGREE WITH ME !!!!!

How do you know they are speaking about you? Are you paranoid? Have you ever just starred out and had been communicating with someone? And you weren't even talking about that person, place, or thing? Sure you have! We all do!
You are totally missing out on an opportunity to make a friend. Maybe your best friend.
If you think I am being harsh now, your lucky I'm not your supervisor. I would like for you to try and get along. Why can't you approach the people who you think are being rude, and ask them , what's up? Laugh, and enjoy. Please, don't do this for me but yourself. You might become a happier person.
Hope this Helps You.

Answer 4

If they are speaking about private issues or just chatting, then I don't know what can be done about it.

But if they are discussing anything about the job, then it is rude and they should be speaking English if it's an English-run business.

I don't care if people speak Spanish when they're just chatting or fooling around but I do mind if it's about the job because then it does concern me since we're all co-workers.

Sometimes I wish I could find someone who speaks German in the workplace so I could speak rudely in front of them.

Answer 5

I think its extremely rude when any other races speak in their native language in public. I know that this is probably close minded, and I'm not saying that they should ignore their heritage, but there is a time and a place, and in public or an office setting where not everyone speaks that language is not the place.

Answer 6

Yes, this is abit rude. Probably they're being hypocrites and talking behind your back. Ive been in such a situation before. Just ignore them & act as if everything's normal. They will then realise that u dont bother about them. But however, they might not be talking about you too. Maybe they're discussing something else and don't want others to know about it. It might not be about you whom they're talking about.
If you seriously can't take it, talk to the others in another language which they could understand but not these people who speaks Spanish.
Hope everything goes on well.
Take care & rock on ! (:

Answer 7

Pancha, why should we have to learn Spanish? This is America where English is the official language. It is rude and it is segregation.....If they can speak English, then they need to speak English at the work place. They can speak native at home. Speaking in a native tongue other than English at an English speaking employer undermines the employers and the employees.

Answer 8

Yeah...I think it is a bit rude, and it clearly interferes with your work..I would get a consensus of the other workers and take it from there. It sounds like they are talking to much no matter what language they are speaking.

Answer 9

no,I don't think it's rude at all. They are simply speaking the language that they are most comfortable with. Is it rude for you to speak English with other english Speakers in front of spanish speaking people?

Answer 10

My boss, who is a Cuban expatriate, often talks Spanish at work with Hispanic employees. Often they'll say something while looking directly at an English-speaking employee, then laugh. Let me tell you, it goes over like a turd in a punchbowl with the rest of us.