Language Barrier at Work

lil' girl, LPN · Dec 16, 2007

Just keep climbing the ladder (manager, etc.) until you get results.

caliotter3 · Dec 16, 2007

I have described a hideous incident where a resident was being badgered about the use of English versus the other language before on this site. Within earshot of both the resident and myself, the only Caucasian person at the nurses station, a very loud conversation ensued where both the nurses and nursing assistants made it clear that they thought it funny that the resident complained to the management about their refusing to speak English around her. They were laughing and stating what was going to happen. I kept my mouth as shut as I could because I knew the conversation was not conducted in Tagalog for my benefit as well as the benefit of the lady who could hear every word. While I felt very sorry for the retaliation that she heard she would be receiving, I knew that there was absolutely nothing that I could do. You have two choices when you work in a workplace that is predominantly a culture that has no respect for others: stay there and learn to live with it, or look for a place of employment where you fit in better. Complaining to management is always a farce. They never accomplish anything. If they did, there would not be a preponderance of one culture over another to begin with. I've never seen a management team that does not look the other way when their predominantly one culture staff runs the place the way they want it. Too bad for the patients.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2007

I know exactly how you feel!!

Many of our Nurses behave in this manner. Even our one Nsg. Supervisor does this. They all speak in there own Language.

In fact, our policy USED to be English around the pt's & other languages at break or meals.

Our Policy was CHANGED; anyone can speak any language at any time.

So, that's that. Some nites, it's only myself & a clerk who speak English!!

:angryfire:icon_frown::icon_rolleyes:

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2007

It is against federal law to enforce an english only rule.

caliotter3 · Dec 16, 2007

So you deliberately refuse to speak to a patient in English and while you are speaking deliberately insult them as part of your behavior pattern? No, I think that law states that the native language may be spoken to facilitate doing the job. It is not meant to harm patients. And insulting patients in another language and humiliating them along with the other behaviors when taken to a certain level is verbal abuse. All patients have the right to communicate in their native language, even if it is English.

Scrubby · Dec 16, 2007

[i am going to try to put this a polite and delicately as possible. I floated to another unit the other night where there was a large number of Fillipino nurses working that shift. All through-out the night, the Asian nurses were speaking in their native tounge and I felt very uncomfortable. At one point, It seemed as though I was being made fun of dude to the other nurses pointing at me and laughing in a condescending manner. Although our hospital policy states english only at work (except on breaks or meal times), this was obviously not being enforced. I spoke with that units charge nurse, but due to the cultural and communication barriers, my issues where not validated. What can i do if This type of situation happens to me again?]

I guess you can't really forbid them from speaking another language in front of you. However, you may simply want to point out to them that their behavior of pointing at you and laughing in your direction is rude , that speaking another language you cannot understand is also rude and that you feel uncomfortable with them doing this. If they try arguing about the language thing that it is their cultural right etc remind them they are excluding you from the conversation, and that exclusion is a form of workplace bullying.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2007

I am going to try to put this a polite and delicately as possible. I floated to another unit the other night where there was a large number of Fillipino nurses working that shift. All through-out the night, the Asian nurses were speaking in their native tounge and I felt very uncomfortable. At one point, It seemed as though I was being made fun of dude to the other nurses pointing at me and laughing in a condescending manner. Although our hospital policy states english only at work (except on breaks or meal times), this was obviously not being enforced. I spoke with that units charge nurse, but due to the cultural and communication barriers, my issues where not validated. What can i do if This type of situation happens to me again?
:uhoh21:

I had not thought of this earlier, but perhaps if you are asked to float there again, you may want to initially refuse, because of this & because as stated above this is a form of work place bullying.

rn/writer, RN · Dec 16, 2007

I have described a hideous incident where a resident was being badgered about the use of English versus the other language before on this site. Within earshot of both the resident and myself, the only Caucasian person at the nurses station, a very loud conversation ensued where both the nurses and nursing assistants made it clear that they thought it funny that the resident complained to the management about their refusing to speak English around her. They were laughing and stating what was going to happen. I kept my mouth as shut as I could because I knew the conversation was conducted in Tagalog for my benefit as well as the benefit of the lady who could hear every word. While I felt very sorry for the retaliation that she heard she would be receiving, I knew that there was absolutely nothing that I could do. You have two choices when you work in a workplace that is predominantly a culture that has no respect for others: stay there and learn to live with it, or look for a place of employment where you fit in better. Complaining to management is always a farce. They never accomplish anything. If they did, there would not be a preponderance of one culture over another to begin with. I've never seen a management team that does not look the other way when their predominantly one culture staff runs the place the way they want it. Too bad for the patients.

Before there are any flames thrown, I just want to make the point that what makes this situation wrong is not connected to the language being spoken, nor to the ethnicity involved. The culture that has no respect for others is just that--a culture of rudeness and insensitivity that is not limited to any specific nationality, ethnic heritage, or language group. Rude people are rude people, period.

It sometimes does seem that English speakers are not accorded the same regard when they are in the minority as other groups are, and this is not right. Patients need to be spoken to in their native tongue whatever that may be. If staff need to use the language line or an interpreter to communicate with an English-speaking patient, then that's what should be done.

Beyond that, it is incomprehensible to me that any clinical professional would resort to the humiliation, mockery and retaliation mentioned in the example above. This is not an ethnic trait. It is immaturity, selfishness, and abuse. An administration that tolerates this kind of behavior because the victims speak English are short-sighted and foolish.

Anyone who finds themselves in such a situation ought to keep meticulous and detailed records of the events where conflicts arise, attempts to address and correct the problems, and management's response or lack thereof. At some point, if there is no relief or redress, there may be a need for outside intervention. I don't know the legal ramifications or the steps that would need to be taken, but it seems like such a work environment could be considered hostile.

We do enough battle with illness and injury and the many other challenges people in the healthcare workforce face. It would be nice if co-workers everywhere could acknowledge that we're all suppose to be on the same team and treat each other with kindness and decency.

EmmaG, RN · Dec 16, 2007

It is against federal law to enforce an english only rule.

Whether or not that is true, harassment and a hostile work environment IS against the law.

MikeyJ, RN · Dec 16, 2007

It is against federal law to enforce an english only rule.

I wonder how true that is because I work at a county hospital where it is a hospital rule that you are to ONLY speak English while clocked in. Obviously this does not apply to situations where patients speak a foreign language.

They implemented the rule because patients were complaining that Filipino nurses were speaking in their native language while in the patients room. They have recently become very strict about enforcing the rule. Hospital administration claims it is a Joint Commission standard.

I do not disagree with it at all. There is absolutely no need to speak another language while at work unless speaking with a patient. It has nothing to do with being ethnocentric, but rather respect for others. I speak a fair amount of Spanish and enjoy practicing speaking it with those co-workers that are fluent in the language, however, I will only do it while off the clock.

caliotter3 · Dec 16, 2007

The break room might be an appropriate place to speak your native language to each other while you are relaxing. However, on the floor, the native language should only be used for short instances, when the person you are addressing does not understand what you mean in English and it is necessary to understand each other to get something done. Common sense and courtesy really. From the previous remark in a post about hostile workplaces, I guess I've worked in many of them because this practice of speaking in languages other than English occurs everywhere I've worked in healthcare. And it is very true, in the places where I have worked, that management does nothing more than pay lip service to their own rules.