Posted on 09/16/2008 5:30:52 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
Macy's Inc. says it's investigating a complaint that Somali employees at its Southdale store in Edina received a letter prohibiting the speaking of Somali at work.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says it was contacted by six Somali-speaking employees of the Southdale Macy's who say they were warned that speaking Somali at work could warrant losing their jobs.
According to CAIR-MN, the Macy's East document reads: "It is Macy East's policy that a common language is spoken during work -- therefore, effective immediately all associates must speak English while working -- It is a job requirement to speak and read English."
The policy reportedly applies to employees who work in the warehouse packaging and unpacking merchandise, but not to employees who work in other parts of the store.
Somali-speaking workers say the request is discriminatory.
The group is asking Macy's for clarification.
Macy's issued a statement saying it does not tolerate discrimination and does not have an English-only policy. Macy's is promising a thorough investigation.
Do it Macy’s—you are a private company and there is nothing wrong with requiring English. The stupid government is the only one that possibly can’t - I don’t think the question has been tested yet.
These are warehouse employees.
It’s still critical that all business be conducted in a common language. Not only does it reduce costly errors, but a failure to understand and use English creates significant safety risks.
“Macy’s issued a statement saying it does not...have an English-only policy.”
#########
Understood.
So you will understand that if one of your employees does not speak to me in English I won’t be patronizing your stores.
These Macy’s exec’s have the private lines of the “dumb white hillbilly” cab drivers to get them from downtown to their Indian Hill Estates. The rest of us have to fight over the somali cab drivers. It’s true.
When I worked at Macy’s it was english only on the selling floor. I worked at Century 21 Department Store, it was english only even in the stockrooms.
Actually, litigation has been involved - so has the EEOC:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=lawful+only+speak+english+workplace&aq=f&oq=
I wonder if Macy*s is aware of the hostile work environment it is making for its English only workers? What happens when an English only supervisor gives an order to a Somali worker and that worker turns and says something to the other Somalis in their native language and they laugh?
This will destroy teamwork and leadership. Think about it Macy*s.
“Employers seem more and more willing — in the climate we have today — to make these kinds of choices and risk the legal problems associated with English-only policies. They think its appropriate to have English-only policies,” said Gregg Lemley, a partner in the St. Louis office of Bryan Cave who in recent years has helped a number of employers craft “tailored” English-only policies. “
Some article
Muslim parents, Willmar schools reach agreement on prayer time
by Ambar Espinoza, Minnesota Public Radio
September 16, 2008
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/16/willmar_school/
Imagine any other religion demanding school time to pray.
Yeah, not so much...
I see the Somalis have learned that the easiest way to earn money in America is to sue, sue, sue!
They don’t give a rat’s ass about prayer time or speaking English. They want the bucks that only hiring a lawyer can get you.
This is Post 9-11 and ANY thing that looks or hints at potential terrorism, like speaking furtively or openly in a foreign language not understood by the majority, can be taken as plans for violence. There's no way to tell friendly chatter from plans to terrorize if the Somalis do not speak English.
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