Am I being treated fairly on the job?

Question

I recently started a job where I am the only african american female in the office, but about five other employee that work in the warehouse. About 90% of the staff is hispanic. Because I am new on the job, I have a lot of questions and pretty much need to learn everything from my co-workers. I find it impossible to just hear converations about the job, because they are constantly speaking spanish. I find it difficult because I dont know what they are saying. Its not a concern when its not work related, just when they start asking a question in reference to the job in english then go on and finish in spanish. I feel that it will be helpful in my learning and progressing on the job if they would speak english when it pertains to the job. Is this legal, and how should i approach the director about this matter without seeming like I am discriminating.

Answer 1

That's a really tough question. You don't want to come off as racist or otherwise negative, but I agree that you are being hindered by the language barrier. It is preventing you from your best performance, more than likely. I suggest asking this question in a category and title it with "Human Resources" to attract the attention of those people who might be experts in this field. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Well, I am hispanic and I've been in the situation where most of the people are hispanic and there's only a few people that only speak english. Don't feel left out or like they'r not treating you right; the problem is that we are so used to speaking in Spanish and we don't realize sometimes that there's people in the room who don't speak Spanish.

I recomend that you talk to your co-workers about this matter and tell them how you feel and how it would be helpful for you if they spoke in English when talking about job related subjects.
If they ignore you, THEN, go to the director, he'll know what to do.

But don't forget to try to solve it on your own first, if you go directy to the director, he might think you can't handle the work enviroment, wish in this case, includes a mayority of Spanish speaking people.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Wow.... The first thing I would do is talk to the people who do this. Believe it or not alot of Spanish as first language speakers will switch to English sometimes and not really think about it. Just let them know politely that it means alot to you to do your job correctly, you don't speak Spanish and you really need for them to talk to you about job related stuff in English(for the whole conversation). Some places have English in the workplace policies and this will be in your manual if this is the case. If it becomes necessary, talk to the director and let him/her know the steps you have taken with the problem. You may also want to find out who is above her, just in case you need to speak with her.

Answer 4

Aapproach your director with the same concern you put into your question. Is most office work conducted in English or Spanish? As far as talking to customers. I'm sure the paper work is in English. Ask the director if he could talk to the other girls but only after you talk to them and explain how rude it is for them to converse in Spanish, while you are there.
At our place of work English must be spoken except when the people are at breakor it is needed in the woek being done.

Answer 5

I do not think you being treated unfairly. From my own experience when I went to Texas and started to learn Spanish I started to mix both languages as a habit that most people would do when you speak two languages. We would start a sentence in one and finish in another. Just a habit alot of us had. I called it Spanglish. You know what I mean? : )
Why don't you talk to your fellow workers before running to the director. You did not mention that you have. I would do that 1st and if things do not change, then talk to your director.
And by the way it is not illegal to speak SPANISH.

Answer 6

Maybe you should speak to your supervisor when you have a question about how to do your job.

Thats a difficult situation.