Supercuts sued for ban on Spanish

Some Chicago businesses post "Se Habla Espanol" signs to boast about their Spanish-speaking employees.

But two hair stylists said in a federal lawsuit Thursday that their former bosses at Supercuts posted a different sign:

"Speaking a language other than English is not only disrespectful, it's also prohibited."

Stylists say the notice was put up in 2003, directed at employees as Supercuts managers allegedly barred them from speaking Spanish anywhere at work -- including in the break room or other places outside the earshot of customers.

"We absolutely, vehemently deny the allegations and believe the evidence will show otherwise," attorney Davi Hirsch said Thursday.

The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which joined in the lawsuit, argues that such a ban is a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin.

The EEOC, along with private attorney Kamran Memon, brought the lawsuit against Primps LLC and Management Advantage Group LLC, which own more than 20 Supercuts salons in the city and suburbs.

One of the stylists, Rosa Gonzalez, 54, of Chicago, said her bosses shot her dirty looks or would reprimand her if she spoke Spanish to co-workers while on break, or at other times, even when customers weren't around.

"I think it's not fair," said Gonzalez, who came to the United States 27 years ago from Guanajuato, Mexico. "Business[es] need to understand that we are free to speak our language."

Memon said Gonzalez and another stylist who filed the lawsuit, Blanca Sauceda, were reprimanded sometimes several times a week for speaking in Spanish on breaks. The two worked for the company at various locations for more than 10 years.

They ultimately quit at their Michigan Avenue location after they felt uncomfortable at work.

Memon said the two wouldn't challenge a policy that limits Spanish being spoken in front of English-speaking customers. But Memon said Gonzalez and Sauceda were told it was "ignorant" and "disrespectful" to speak Spanish at work.

EEOC trial attorney Ann Henry said the suit was brought after managers allegedly enforced a blanket ban at "more than one location."

But Hirsch, who represents the 20 Supercuts owned by Management Advantage Group, said no such ban exists and that the suggestion of one is ludicrous because Supercuts' work force is heavily Hispanic.

"The goal of the policy was to speak essentially whatever language you chose in the lunchroom or on breaks, when you're not servicing customers," Hirsch said.

Hirsch questioned why the employees didn't raise concerns until after they left the company.

The statement "In this country, we speak and conduct business in one language: English" is quite correct?

Tell you what: Why don't you start going to every one of the businesses on your street, and ask them what language they conduct business in. I think you would be surprised to find it is English.

Not willing to do that? Then shut your PC piehole.

The thing is, it doesn’t really matter what a person speaks anymore. It all depends on the $. That is about the only real language spoken that everyone listens too. If a company can make more money buy speaking Spanish, they are going to do it. If a person can sue because they can’t speak their own language, they are going to. Heck, a person can sue for being clumsy and spilling their McDonald's coffee on themselves and win! So speak what ever you want, because it all comes down to who has the money and power to know what language to speak. Granted I wish it was English because of where I work, there are some people who speak Spanish and there was a time when they made a mistake. I was asked why didn’t I say that they were making a mistake? I told them that I didn’t know they were going to do that because I don’t speak Spanish and had no idea what they were saying. I don’t care what language a person speaks, but if you are working and talking about work, everyone should speak the same language. Many business fall apart because of no communication between themselves, yet they are to afraid to say anything because of things like the aw suit against supercuts. One common language WHILE working is best for communication between co-workers, on break, they can use any language they want, but with customers, it should be what they want. The customer is always right.

language is not national origin! Many people speak languages not of their national origin.

(otherwise all those NYC french speakers could claim discrimination based on NYC origin)

seems this is just a nusance suit the lawyers are making up to get fees and a few well place comps to reporters creates an appropriate press story.

You can't stop Globalization... so GET OVER IT!!

Really? You obviously now nothing about the American spirit. Or anything about what America is. The "People" determine that not some, how did you say it, dimwhitted follower like you. It is embarrassing that you are a countrymen or even consider yourself American. Your masters are glad you have decided to become Borg.

The thing is, it doesn’t really matter what a person speaks anymore. It all depends on the $.

I hope what you say is not true. It is this exact mindset that only a dollar bill determines what a country is or what is good about life that will ultimately destroy us. It is what can and will ruin America just as it has all other great countries before us. Greed, selfishness and hedonistic pleasure. When they become the pinnacle of desire and what "we" are a country has no foundation. If the dollar bill is in fact our new god and all that we "Americans" value, honor and praise then we might as well spit on all that was ever good about us and the United States.

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