I live in an area that has such an influx of Hispanics that most job opportunities require that you speak Spanish. I am thoroughly disgusted. I am very qualified in my field and have taken a conversational Spanish course, however, I am by no means fluent and forget about writing it. I have been told not to bother applying for many positions just because I am not fluent in Spanish. Any attorneys out there that can answer this for me? I do not live in South America or Spain. I live in a small town in the State of Georgia in the United States of America. I'm in my mid 40's , divorced for 10 years with an ex that is over 45K in arears in child support, one daughter in University, the other one in high school, and at present I am unemployed. I have depleted my savings, my retirement funds and have $200 in my checking account. I don't blame anyone for wanting to improve their lives, except for when it is making my plight in life much, much worse. I'm pissed.
2006-10-30 08:25:33 · 11 answers · asked by LouLou 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Well if the position requires that you speak fluent spanish then you are not qualified! Thats not discrimination bubba thats just the facts. By the way Georgia has the largest influx of hispanics in the US so this can't be new to you. I would argue also that you are probally getting passed over on jobs because of your age not what language you speak. Thats discrimination and thats unfortunate.
2006-10-30 08:32:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every employer has the right to define what knowledge and skills are required based on the job description. If the job is secretarial, it wouldn't be considered discrimination to pass over candidates who only type 30 words per minute. If the ability to communicate in Spanish is essential to performing the duties of the job, employers are within their rights to seek candidates with that skill.
I think it's extraordinarily unfortunate that people coming here from Spanish-speaking countries do NOT have to learn English to get a job, but that native citizens DO have to learn Spanish to get a job. But it's probably far too late to rectify that problem...
2006-10-30 08:37:09 · answer #2 · answered by mockingbird 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sorry this is perfectly legal, they are not discriminating on race or ethnicity merely on your ability to speak Spanish.
English is not the official language of the United States.
I suggest that you take some classes and become more proficient in the language. And feel free to lie during the interview an say your are already proficient. You can always catch up later.
2006-10-30 08:28:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can't discriminate, however, if the job requirements include being able to speak Spanish, and it is for a legitimate reason, i.e. the job requires Spanish to be spoken because you are working with primarily Spanish speaking customers, then it is probably okay. Sorry, hope life looks up for you and that ex of yours gets his rear in gear.
2006-10-30 08:44:25 · answer #4 · answered by straightup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's part of the job discription to be fluent in Spanish, you have no case. It's like applying for an office job and all you can do is construction work. Basically, you don't have the skills to do the job. It doesn't matter that you live in the US.
2006-10-30 08:30:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because speaking a language is a skill, and they can require skills.
Now, if you spoke fluent spanish and they said non-hispanics need not apply, then you would have a case.
2006-10-30 08:29:26 · answer #6 · answered by lundstroms2004 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you never qualified what the new job would entail. are you going to be directly working with people who have problems or complaints, who are going to be recieving instructions or orders from you on an hourly or daily basis? if you are going to be in a managerial/administrative or supervisory posission, then the company can hire/ fire/promote whomever, when ever and where ever, from what you wrote as part of your reference material, you dont fill the slot very well. your own personal problems wont carry much weight unless you can improve yourself and pdq at that. been there done that.
2006-10-30 08:37:56 · answer #7 · answered by robert r 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I lived in Albuquerque NM once and they told me I had to be fluent in Spanish....
Last year I applied for the Government in Michigan (social worker) and was told the only SW positions left for for those who spoke fluent Arabic....
It gets discouraging....but its a fact of life in America...we need to speak whatever language immigrants occupy in that area.
2006-10-30 08:32:41 · answer #8 · answered by Diamond in the Rough 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the job requires fluency in Spanish and you aren't fluent. Then there is no case. Hate to be blunt about it, but that's how it works.
2006-10-30 08:28:45 · answer #9 · answered by RUNINTLKT 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not call the State Attorney General and see what he says...someone has to turn this around. I'm tired of seeing my country given away!!!
2006-10-30 08:34:06 · answer #10 · answered by MIGHTY MINNIE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋