It has only been within the last 6 months (out of 6 years!) that one particular coworker has alienated all other workers in the office, but for one other chinese lady. It started with not passing along pertinent information to others, burping extremely loud (she never did it in the past), making sure she was never in the break room with english speaking employees, and now, the constant Chinese language, verbal, and on her personal radio (this is a new thing too). We have asked politely for them to speak English. Her response was "No, it is my right. You are harrassing me!) We are so tired of walking on eggshells with this woman, and the management do not want to touch this for fear of a discrimination suit. Anyone have any good advice?
2006-10-10 16:34:57 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
What's the problem? She's Chinese and she's speaking Chinese; there's nothing wrong with that. Why must you eavesdrop in on other conversations anyways? I'm sure if she wanted to say something about you or any other co-worker then she would have.
Asians in general are very strong-willed and determined, so she wouldn't have a problem with talking about you in English.
And besides it IS her right. There is no law that says you can't speak your native language while working. It's the same as conversing with others in English. This is not middle school where you feel left out of a group/clan and have the urge to tattle.
2006-10-10 17:13:35 · answer #1 · answered by CYM 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hello people, I don't see any wrong with someone speaking their own native language. It could be just that the co-worker is more comfortable in that language. You can ask her politely to speak softly and turn her radio down a little. Say that with a big smile and I'm sure that she'll go along with your request.
Please don't discriminate against race.
2006-10-10 16:46:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is a great question and a sensitive topic. I realize this will sound horribly racist, but I know a LOT of Chinese people (one of whom is my partner) and they tend to stick up for each other very often, regardless of whether they are right or wrong. However, there is nothing you can do about this issue in the workplace, since it sounds like it isn't affecting your job performance.
A similar situation happened to me recently, but in a different context. I work closely with a person who would talk about nothing except church and his religious beliefs. After a while, it was beginning to get to me, and I told my manager. He hasn't brought up religion since, and I feel bad for him because he has nothing else to talk about, but common sense and courtesy should dictate what is and is not polite conduct in the workplace. It sounds like your co-worker has scrapped this courtesy and is just happy with hanging out with someone of her own race. It is irritating, but not much you can do about it.
This said, I would second what Myklite has said, she is free to speak how she wants, but I understand how you feel.
2006-10-10 16:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can only punish this worker if it is disrupting the work of others. My suggestion to you is hire a foreign exchange student or a student who speaks chinese to find out what they are saying. Contact your HR manager to file a complaint about the noise and you not being able to work effectively. Tell them that youve been patient and courtious to her ethnic background but enough is enough. They cannot make her stop speaking Chinese, but they can quite her down, especially if she is unsubordinate. Good luck!
2006-10-10 16:40:52 · answer #4 · answered by Amy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i feel they should only be allowed to speak English or get fired.. Mexicans pull the same crap....
on the news this morning.. this company is being sued by Somalis because the Somali's feel the company was not letting them pray four times a shift like the religion requires. and then the Somali's carried on how they can not work the night shift because then they sleep during the day when they are suppose to be praying
these Somalis want four extra 15 minute breaks a night on top of there two 15 minute breaks and there half hour breaks. and they feel they should be paid for it...
then they complained how there was not a quite private place so they could pray...
my therory is.... catholics believe that sunday is the lords day a holy day and no one can work..... but if a catholic refused to work on a sunday they would be fired....
IF YOUR GONNA LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OR GET YOUR BOOTY OUT.
2006-10-10 16:41:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋
HEY, look at the bright side. Now we know there is another language exists. Not only Spanish.
2006-10-10 16:51:00 · answer #6 · answered by nanrai18 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why are you so offended by her speaking Chinese? Who cares what she is saying?
If she is creating a non-productive working environment, then she can be reprimanded, though, regardless of her method.
2006-10-10 16:37:46 · answer #7 · answered by PJ 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
How Long? (actually, How Long is a China Man?...just a joke....get it?????) How Long? First name How....Surname, well, if I have to explain it......
2006-10-10 16:43:35 · answer #8 · answered by rockEsquirrel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep
say "what's your problem? how come you're being a cow?" and proceed accordingly
2006-10-10 16:38:32 · answer #9 · answered by metallhd62 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
screw her, why dont you just ignore her? if shes acting all bITchy then just ignore her.
2006-10-10 16:38:49 · answer #10 · answered by miss♡hollywood 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋