Overreaching English-Only Policies Spell Trouble for Employers

English-only policies have long been criticized and targeted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Here's a look at some recent litigation.

12 minute read January 30, 2012 at 05:00 PM

Delyanne Barros

Overreaching English-Only Policies Spell Trouble for Employers

In May 2011, eight Hispanic employees of the City of Rochester, NY, filed an action against the City, among other defendants, for implementing a sweeping English-only policy that prohibited Spanish from being spoken at all times, including breaks and whether it was within or outside the presence of non-Spanish speaking employees. (See Rodriguez v.

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