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.
You should be able to speak any language while in the "break room" unless you are eavesdropping! If you don't understand the language than how would you presumed it is not "personal." If they want to speak in their language let them!!!!!!! You don't see this dilemma in Europe. Only in the good old USA.
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.
Hmm. So what about times where they actually ARE talking about you or another coworker present, blatantly and in your face sitting in the break room? And they don't know that you speak enough of their language well enough to understand, and they continue to cackle away thinking they are sneaky and smart? Maybe you could care less if someone is mocking or insulting you like that, but it appears others aren't so confident. I, myself, would prefer someone come to me and tell me to my face, in a language THEY know that I understand. It's just all that more entertaining when someone thinks you're clueless and you're actually fluent in the language they're speaking in... and you respond to their stupidity in their own language.
I do agree with some of the other posters, a common language in the workplace with the exception of when it is necessary for patient care is best.
You should be able to speak any language while in the "break room" unless you are eavesdropping! If you don't understand the language than how would you presumed it is not "personal." If they want to speak in their language let them!!!!!!! You don't see this dilemma in Europe. Only in the good old USA.
Read my last entry-private conversations should be held away from a group....oh, and about Europe....they are kind and speak in English for us one languaged Americans-they get the rudeness part.
Hmm. So what about times where they actually ARE talking about you or another coworker present, blatantly and in your face sitting in the break room? And they don't know that you speak enough of their language well enough to understand, and they continue to cackle away thinking they are sneaky and smart? Maybe you could care less if someone is mocking or insulting you like that, but it appears others aren't so confident. I, myself, would prefer someone come to me and tell me to my face, in a language THEY know that I understand. It's just all that more entertaining when someone thinks you're clueless and you're actually fluent in the language they're speaking in... and you respond to their stupidity in their own language.
I do agree with some of the other posters, a common language in the workplace with the exception of when it is necessary for patient care is best.
My point exactly, I understand Spanish sooooo much better than I speak it-I've forgotten a number of integral words, but remember when they are spoken AND UNDERSTAND. I have heard plenty that I didn't want to hear about coworkers.....let's face it, how many of the younger ones think an older white woman understands Spanish so well? So play it safe and keep PRIVATE....JUST THAT....PRIVATE! Regardless of the language.
When I was an aide in LTC, the rule was English in patient care areas. I was the only aide that spoke only English, and others routinely conversed in their native language (Creole) in front of me. I found it very rude to myself, the English speaking nurses, and the residents who were confused enough to begin with (this was a dementia unit), never mind someone speaking around them in a language that they don't understand.
At the hospital I worked at, I never found language to be an issue, staff wise. Occasionally some of the Chinese-speaking nurses & techs would have personal conversations in the break room in Chinese, but would speak English in front of other staff, or would respond to a jokingly stated "hey, speak english! we can't understand ya!"
We got a large Asian population at this hospital, and I can't tell you how many times I had to thank my fellow techs who would help me out when I was unable to communicate with some of my patients. We also get a reasonably sized Spanish speaking population, but most of our Spanish speaking patients spoke about as much English as I spoke Spanish, (and I understand more Spanish than I can speak myself) so it usually worked out ok (in terms of me completing ADLs with them as a tech--obviously for discharge teaching etc, we'd get an interpreter.)
I can count on one hand the number of times I have overheard people talking about me in Spanish not realizing I understand them. So when I encounter people speaking in another language, I just assume they are not talking about me and move on. :)
I think what's rude is the gossiping itself, not the fact that it's done in another language (that you may or may not understand). If you do understand something you didn't like hearing, call that person on it in a language you're comfortable with. If you don't understand something said, how can you be offended? Are you so insecure that you automatically assume it's about you?
As for feeling left out, what have you done to engage them in conversation? Have you made an effort in the break room or did you feel uncomfortable jumping in?
Absolutely, English only on the floor, I agree. In the breakroom, however, I just don't think it's reasonable to expect people who share a native language you don't to speak your native language just because you're in the room
There was an "english only" policy in quite a few of the facilities I did clinicals in. And most did speak English only.
I am now in a LTC facility and I am the only one who doesn't speak Spanish fluently (I know some but not enough to say I speak or understand it well) or any other language other than English. We have an English only policy which includes speaking ONLY English while in the building whether you are on your break or not (since its a paid break)..outside the building you can speak whatever you want on your time.
Most of the girls I work with don't abide by it when they aren't around patients but when I have walked into the area they were speaking in, they immediately changed over to English and apologized to me for speaking (fill in the blank).
One particular lady I work with speaks very broken English, she was talking with a nurse while we were all in the same room. The nurse said to me that they were sorry they were speaking Creole, they weren't talking about me and that Mary (the person who speaks broken english) was trying to explain something about a patient and couldn't really find the right words in English.
I told her that I was wasn't worried that they were talking about me because I confident enough that if she had something bad/good to say about me I knew that she would confront me and say it in english. LOL
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
While I do find it somewhat rude when people break into other languages, I don't see how an employer can reasonably enforce an "English only" rule except in the case of patient care and reporting on patient status.
Let's just put aside our ego for a second. First of all, the chances that someone is talking about you, but masking it in another language is not only pretty darn egotistical -- it's also pretty unlikely. How do they know you don't speak their language? If they're talking bad about you, an English-only rule isn't going to keep them from talking bad about you. They'll just take it to the med room.
Second, you can't make a rule against people being rude. Christ, it would be a beautiful thing if you could, but you just can't.
Third, what if the employees were passing written notes back and forth. Are you going to implement a "No note-passing" rule? Where does it end?
If it's not about the welfare of the patients, I couldn't give a crap about what someone else chooses to do with their time.
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.
I previously worked at a MD office were the doctor, staff, and patients mostly spoke Spanish (except me) and there were times when they would speak Spanish in front on me. It didn't bother me until I walked in the break room one day with my name at the start of a sentence and some words in Spanish followed by laughter. What they didn't know was I know Spanish just can't speak it. I walked into the room and very nicely told them that the next time they wanted to call someone an stupid idiot (not the words they used) in their language they need to make sure that the person isn't behind them listening and if they have something to say about me then they need to say it to me. They quickly tried to cover their tracks and say that they weren't talking about me. Even after it didn't bother me if they spoke Spanish but they were more careful with what they said. I had more problems with the patients that only spoke Spainish complaining about the white girl than my co-workers.
The floor I work on now has nurses from the Philipines and India and they too speak their primary language when having conversations between themselves. The difference is they were polite enough to ask me if I'm bothered by it. I told them no as long as I don't hear my name (jokingly). The nurse explained to me that since English isn't their primary language that it's easier for them to explain things to each other in their language. Which I totally understood and that's they way it is. If one has a question about something they'll try to explain it in English and if they can't find the right word they'll speak their primary language and once they get the answer it's back to English.
Specializes in Dialysis, Nephrology & Cosmetic Surgery.
Although we have a lot of overseas nurses in the UK whos primary language is not English I personally have not come across a situation were these nurses conversed with each other in their own language in my company.
I think in the UK they are certainly aware that this type of behavior could lead to discilpinary action. The employment laws in the UK are so strict - sometimes ridiculously so - but having a conversation that deliberatly excludes a person can be classed as intimidation.
DonaldJ - you say you can't make a rule against being rude, I agree you can't stop people being rude, that is their free will but you can take action against it and impose consequences.
I have quite a broad accent and speak quite fast, I am aware that I can be difficult to understand by others, especially to many staff we have from overseas, so I make a conscious effort to speak clearly and slow down to help them understand me - just good manners and helping that person feel welcome, but you always get some nasty individuals who don't care about the feelings of others.
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araujojr
1 Article; 110 Posts
You should be able to speak any language while in the "break room" unless you are eavesdropping! If you don't understand the language than how would you presumed it is not "personal." If they want to speak in their language let them!!!!!!! You don't see this dilemma in Europe. Only in the good old USA.