Conflict with a coworker

[phlebo2rn]

I work in the lab at a hospital as a phlebotomist. Several of my coworkers are from Afghanistan, Iran, etc. but are fluent in English. They always speak about work stuff in English but I've noticed recently that they switch back and forth between English and their native language when I'm around. I heard one of them say my name and another coworker's name "... Leigh and Amanda..." and I started to get upset because I wasn't sure what they were saying about me. I'm all for hiring foreigners but is there some policy or something that prevents them from doing this? We have a very strict anti-bully policy where if it gets around that someone is saying bad things behind someone's back, there is action taken.

I confronted one of them and said, "I heard you say my name and I would like to know what you were saying," to which she replied, "We weren't even talking about you."

I am a nursing student and know I eventually need to handle conflict on my own but I'm not sure what to do in this situation! I think it's very rude for them to converse in their language when I'm the only other person in the lab at the time but it's also rude for me to ask them to stop. Help!!

[Caribbean Character]

I would say file a complaint with Human Resources.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

I would say file a complaint with Human Resources.

Seems a little extreme to jump right to HR. Why not try to talk to the girl again and them if it doesn't get better, you can say something to your manager. But you will learn that people are going to talk about you no matter where you work. The difference in this case is that you can't understand what they are saying. No, this isn't bullying.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

A policy that prevents them from having conversations about non-work related things in a language other than English? I think not.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Actually many hospitals, mine included , have policies that conversations at work occur between employees in English. I would talk to your manager

[Stephalump]

Actually many hospitals mine included , have policies that conversations at work occur between employees in English. I would talk to your manager[/quote']

We have that policy, as well.

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

It is rude an inconsiderate for them to do that. If they were not saying anything that mattered why didn't they speak in English? I'm a homecare nurse who does shifts in a Spanish/English household. I hate it when I hear my name surrounded by Spanish.

[pookyp, LPN]

Actually many hospitals mine included , have policies that conversations at work occur between employees in English. I would talk to your manager[/quote']

My old hospital had the same policy. Matter of fact, each job I've ever had has this policy. They take it seriously too.

[cholleytcl]

I would move on from it. If they have a problem, kill them with kindness. That will get to them more than confronting them. I do this all of the time with people that I work with.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

If you moved to a country where everyone spoke your 2nd language and you found a friend who spoke your native language, what language do you think you'd speak to him in? I seriously doubt there's anything to be made of this.

[schnookimz]

If you moved to a country where everyone spoke your 2nd language and you found a friend who spoke your native language what language do you think you'd speak to him in? I seriously doubt there's anything to be made of this.[/quote']

Every hospital I have ever worked at has a rule against doing this. Places take it very seriously.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

All you may accomplish is they'll go outside of your hearing to talk about you. And if you report them for whatever you imagine they did, they'll be talking about you a lot more than they are now.

People are going to talk about you behind your back. Your best bet is to just do your job and ignore it. Why give them even more to talk about?