Workforce Language Services

Despite the fact that Macy’s does not have an official English-only policy (in line with the clear law prohibiting such policies), eight Somali employees in Minnesota fear for their jobs.  These employees work in the basement sorting merchandise, have no little to no contact with customers, and are sometimes called upon to interpret for Somali customers on the sales floor.

Macy’s has launched an investigation into the allegations that the employees were threatended with dismissal. 

The article also provides some context into the legal framework and the recent rise in complaints regarding civil rights violations:

As part of the federal Civil Rights Act, employers are barred from making decisions about or harassing workers based on national origin, language or accent. But nationally, these complaints are on the rise.

Between 2002 and 2007, complaints to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rose from a few hundred to almost 9,400. And even though the law is clear in prohibiting English-only rules, it does allow exceptions for business necessity. That means employers can require English for communication with customers or for safety reasons.

English-only rules also violate Minnesota state human rights law. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights reports it has received about half a dozen English-only complaints recently. Most came from Hmong speakers.