Help. 2 coworkers always speak in Chinese to offend 4 non chinese workers. Is there a law? Touchy subject.?

Question

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?

Answer 1

What they do on their own time is their own business. I'm sure they feel a lot more uncomfortable than you -- yours is the dominant culture. I'd ask that they speak English in staff meetings and other business communications, and then leave them alone. Also, why don't you try to include them in activities with your whole group? A little positive team-building sounds in order.

As for her radio, as long as it's not obscene she should be able to play what she wants. I'm afraid you lost me on that one. Why do you care what's on her radio? I play music from all different countries. It's nice, diversity.

Answer 2

There are always at least two sides to issues. Could it be that you have alienated these Chinese speaking persons by "expecting them to exclusively speak English"?. Would you have the same animosity if they were speaking a Western language like Italian, French, or German? Or is it because it is an Asian Language? Although English is the lingua franca in business, there is no law to force anybody to speak exclusively in English, especially if that person/s are not getting paid for the times they speak another language. I understand that at the least, it makes you uncomfortable but I do not think foreign language speaking citizens set out to offend you. Are you that important? Or, is it because the speakers are more at ease of speaking in another language without having to translate the nuances of the English language?

What if somebody speaks with an 'annoying" Southern accent? It is still English, but I am sure they are other English speaking persons like me who can't stand the accent at all. So, where is your argument? Thus, you will just be stuck in a juvenile, "high school' pretend like how some students make others feel "irritated" by giving the guise of talking in codes and looking your way to make you feel you are being talked about badly. Ignore it or why don't you speak in codes or another language yourself? It may do you some good.

On the other hand, it is totally unacceptable to talk in another language during regular times and hours you are paid as an employee. Except in cases, where employees are hired as bilingual and then there's really nothing you can do about it. For instance, the bilingual employee can talk to another on the phone in another language as part of the job. And worse, they are talking about you! What, then?

Be a bigger person and ignore it. The less emphasis to give to the problem, the less it becomes a problem.

Aren't you glad you live in America and not in any Communist or totalitarian country?

Answer 3

this is a touchy subject indeed!

you don't know if they're really talking about you or the others in the workplace. how could you know? you don't know either if they're intentionally trying to annoy you.

don't be paranoid, for all you know, they're just talking about the weather, or their hairdo, --- but in chinese.

it's their right to speak whatever language they're comfortable with, and if you're not part of the conversation, then there's no reason to be offended.

if personal radio is allowed at work, then so be it. just because the music is in english which i presume is the dominant language at work, does not make any music palatable to everyone. not everyone likes celine dion.

open up yourself to other cultures. pizza was brought by the italians, yet, it has become as much an everyday food in many western cultures now. multiculturalism does not begin nor end in just the appreciation of other culture's food. just embrace it. maybe ask the lady how to say good morning in her language, and make an effort to use it. it's not condescencion. it is appreciation.

Answer 4

My ex-wife, a very kind and thoughtful Christian, had a similar situation where she was the Office Manager. She simply won them over with kindness. All she did was greet them in the morning and remember to wish them well at night. She often made home-made meals that she shared with all the office workers, including the ones that were often speaking a foreign language. Little by little, the chattering in different languages stopped. She first set the example of speaking English with all the Hispanics and with the two from another country. My ex-wife is very generous and kind, and thoughtful. She is always careful not to offend anyone.

Have you considered kindness? It works.

I usually win people over, but when that fails, I ignore them to death (as I do with all that are rude, disrespectful and just troublesome, lowlife individuals). It's very simple: I was hired to perform certain tasks, not to engage in popularity contests!

Answer 5

How exactly do you know that they are speaking rudely of others? You're right in the fact that it is a touchy subject. However it seems somewhat rude and ignorant to force someone to speak english on his or her personal break. I'm not saying that this woman's attitude is justifiable but she is sort of right. It is her right to speak whatever language she please on her break as long as she is not harming anybody else. Just act normal and ignore the animosity. Most of all, try to be an adult and hopefully expect the same out of her =)

Answer 6

I don't think that there's a law, but it's rude to speak a language that others don't understand under nearly every social circumstance--and that includes the workplace.

I'd bring it up to your supervisor as a work environment issue.
It's divisive when done during work hours. The exception would be lunches and breaks; workers are considered to be on their own time, as much as it may irk others.

It makes me angry as a customer when two clerks speak another language during my whole transaction, except to tell me the total and to say "thank you."

Come to think of it--even if they're speaking English but the personal conversation doesn't stop when I'm being rung up---that p*sses me off just as much.

Answer 7

Management is mistaken; our firm has many international employees and the company policy is that English will be spoken for all work-related topics.

Speaking another language with a friend on break, etc, is acceptable but the policy cautions employees to be considerate of others.

If our HR can find a way to do this without risking a lawsuit, your HR can.

Answer 8

It is a touchy subject, but what kind of business is it? Do you deal with customers? Then I would say that would be very off putting for your customers.

When I worked in a hospital in Texas - the hospital passed a policy that all workers had to speak English when in public hallways, elevators and when around patients. (we have a big Hispanic population.) The reason they gave was that it was rude to our patients.

Answer 9

i worked in the Casino where as long as you were on the clock...you are speaking English in front of everyone.No one felt alienated because it was a high risk place for money.So all speaking employees were to speak English. No One could sue them because it is part of the work agreement. If you don't want to make a big deal with it...when she does her little making issue...just talk about something interesting on the weekend,that is happening and ask the others to go....just say I'll talk to you later about it...soon one say...Yeah....can you pick me up...Make her jealous ....angry people soon close down....she'll stop...

Answer 10

Learn Chinese.