"English Only" Rule at Work?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 5, 2008

We don't have that rule at my hosp. I live on a border town and the vast majority speak Spanish (including Caucasians); however, I do not engage in Spanish conversations when others do not understand. Don't do it while on the clock either and since I rarely get a lunch or break, it is safe to say that the times I speak it is when translating (which is a whole lot).

It is common courtesy. There are other nurses who speak Tagolog or other languages and I observe the same common courtesy.

It is plain rude.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 5, 2008

yes we do have it at work , but no one pays attention to it... they all talk in their foreign tounge around english nurses. i find it disgusting .. and have complained but no one seems to care. as long as it's not done around patients.

BebobthefrogFNP · Aug 5, 2008

I also live in a border town and about 99% speak spanish in the lunch room. They also but the tv on a spanish only station. I'm a brand new nurse and it stinks that I can't understand what most of the coworkers and patients are saying. I can understand words every now and then and say a few phrases to patients. There would be a huge uproar if there was an english only rule. I just go with the flow and am trying to learn more spanish. In fact, one pt I had recently said in spanish (got translated: Didn't you go to school, why don't you know spanish?)

uscstu4lfe · Aug 5, 2008

When I am at work in the nurses station or the break room, it feels like I've gotten off a plane and I'm lost in the Phillipines. Our policy says employees can speak whichever language we choose, just as long as it doesn't get in the way of care. Personally, I think it should be english speaking only (except on breaks and on lunch) because I have no idea what they are saying most of the time.

Hands and Heart · Aug 5, 2008

I get ignored in these conversations as well. One of my charge nurses reminded the staff nurses in the break room to speak English because it was rude to exclude me. However, it has continued. It's not that I think they are talking about me at all. They are all very nice. It's just rude and thoughtless of them to leave me out of the conversations. I don't want to make a big fuss over it because I'm a student and will be new on the unit when I do start working there. Maybe when I feel a bit more comfortable with them will I say something. I've also been thinking about learning Tagolog.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2008

I was taught it was rude to speak another language in front of someone....switching from English to whatever language-of course this is only if they don't speak English(like coworkers or friends family members).

I have no trouble telling anyone around me I find it rude.....I speak Spanish with patients who do not speak English....no problem with that....however, if I am in the break room-I do not expect people to be non-inclusive.

If I live in Germany, I learn German if I want to be included....they may speak to me(because they learn English), but my primary language will be German if I want to be part of the general conversation. No one will fault me for my limited access. HOWEVER, if you are working in the US we speak English as a common language, that is the language that should be used when on our common ground. Inclusive, not devisive.

JMO

Maisy

hellerd2003, RN · Aug 5, 2008

I am curious how many facilities have an "English Only" rule, and how/whether it is enforced.
I work at a SNF in which the vast majority of the employees are from the Philippines. Although we have an "English Only" rule, it seems that they have no interest in abiding by it, although all are fluent in English. Since I am one of only two white employees, I guess there isn't much I can do about it. It does bother me, though, when we are on our lunch break, and all of them are speaking their own language and I am the only one who does not understand the conversation!
I am curious if others have the same situation where they work, and if so, how they deal with it. Thanks.

I think that all should speak a common language. Both myself and my student nurse don't speak spanish. But we both understood a nurse telling another coworker, "you take the students" (and my student nurse was uncomfortable after that). Just because someone isn't fluent doesn't mean they don't understand the gist of what you're saying. That's why I think, in the U.S., where english is the common language, "English only" should be enforced.

pricklypear · Aug 5, 2008

I used to find myself becoming annoyed at my co-worker's use of other languages to communicate with each other. Then I realized, that I was not part of the conversation, so what difference should it make? I was also taught that eavesdropping or butting into a conversation that you are not included in is rude. My co-workers would always speak to me in English, and they never ignored me.

This isn't kindergarten anymore. I think there are more important issues to get upset about. :banghead:

bagladyrn, RN · Aug 5, 2008

I think that in the breakroom or on lunch it really isn't the employer's issue to enforce English only.

That said, I would find coworkers who speak across me or when I am also sitting at the table in a language which I don't understand to be rude and unmannered and it would definitely affect my opinion of them on a personal level. I worked for years with hearing impaired individuals and we were required to use sign language at all time when on the unit, even when conversing with another hearing individual in personal conversation. This was simply considered good manners.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2008

I used to find myself becoming annoyed at my co-worker's use of other languages to communicate with each other. Then I realized, that I was not part of the conversation, so what difference should it make? I was also taught that eavesdropping or butting into a conversation that you are not included in is rude. My co-workers would always speak to me in English, and they never ignored me.
This isn't kindergarten anymore. I think there are more important issues to get upset about.

No one has a problem with a personal conversation that would occur betweem two people APART if it is PERSONAL. Otherwise in common areas it is rude to speak in another language, especially if one person cannot speak the language!

Let me give you an example-a girl I attended nursing school with ended up on our transplant floor..the nursing contingent there: Haitian, Phillipino, and Latino-and her. None of the other groups ever spoke to each other....they all spoke in their own language to each other....froze her out completely. She was never included in any conversation, is it any wonder she felt unwelcome and left the unit?

Maisy

naide88 · Aug 5, 2008

There was a horrible incident where I work in a dementia unit because the workers were speaking a language OTHER than English.

Other languages should NOT in any circumstances be used around patients or residents who obviously will not be able to understand. If you feel the need to use a different language - do it away from their ears, please! It may frighten or confuse an already frightened or confused individual.

It has nothing to do with YOU - it has EVERYTHING TO DO WITH PATIENT AND RESIDENT CARE.