Being Bilingual in Spanish a discrimination against job seekers
Public Comments (2,313)
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Jan 12th, 2017Someone from Fort Worth, TX writes:
U.S. Companies are profiting while snubbing the very customer base that made their businesses possible.. Requiring bilingual skills to work at ANY job in the U.S. so that companies can reap more profits from a community of non-English speaking customers should be illegal. If a job requires bilingual skills the employee should be paid as an interpreter on top of the primary job functions pay. Instead companies maintain the same pay while requiring more skills or even decrease pay as they know they are hiring from a minority group that will work for less to get their foot in the door.. A win-win for big business and a total loss for the American people. By forcing businesses to double the cost of their bilingual employees this will curb the trend of this ridiculous job discrimination (yes that is what it is.. our forefathers and those who gave their lives and limbs defending the American way of life would be appalled at the rate we are giving it away..) and at the very least make it worth while (and possible for English speaking workers) to learn a new language. All companies that require bilingual should also have to pay for training in whatever language they are requiring and NO ONE who is capable of doing the job (minus the bilingual requirement) should be denied the opportunity. This is absolutely creating a racial/cultural tear in the fabric of our country. Instead of welcoming new immigrants and helping them assimilate.. we must now fear our ability to provide for our families is threatened by them as we the American people born and raised here are marginalized and forgotten.. This has to be stopped now it is only encouraging more illegal entry into our country which in turn will cause this to become a requirement for more jobs. If one were trying to flood this country with illegals this is exactly the type of job discrimination you would expect to see.. What an incredibly effective way for big business to keep workers pay down (yes minority groups will work for less thus driving down workers pay) while at the same time increasing your customer base.. Diversity is a wonderful thing however the burden of learning a second language must and has ALWAYS been on the immigrants shoulders. If companies want to increase profits they must do so in a way that lifts all of us up.. not by usurping our laws and good intentions with complete disregard for the citizens of this country. "Don't tread on me" comes to mind.. -
Jan 12th, 2017SUSAN S. from San Ysidro, CA writes:
Somebody needs to investigate why all the "must be bilingual in spanish" jobs are only going to Latino Hispanic Chicano Mexican, even people from Tijuana, Mexico are getting hired ahead of non Hispanics Americans. Discrimination?REPORT COMMENTS
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Jan 11th, 2017Someone from Arvada, CO writes:
Twenty-five percent of Professional Human Resources jobs now require bilingual skills. This seems a discrimatory practice.REPORT COMMENTS
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Jan 10th, 2017Someone from Santa Ana, CA writes:
I completely agree that it is discriminatory against native citizens, it is not a skill to speak Spanish unless it is as a translator job.REPORT COMMENTS
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Jan 9th, 2017Someone from Charleston, WV writes:
I do not understand how speaking Spanish has become a job requirement in an English speaking country. It's should be as simple as this. English should be the only required language for jobs. Companies should not be trying to accommodate Spanish speakers. If anyone wants to live in this country, learn English. I am not racist. This is just common sense. I'm not moving to Germany or Ireland any time soon because I do not speak German or Irish. Common sense people. Our government needs to do something about this now. This is not Spain or Mexico. This is the United States of America, we are English speaking people, and we need jobs. Americans having jobs takes priority over immigrants feeling "comfortable" or not having to learn our language.REPORT COMMENTS
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Jan 8th, 2017Someone from Houston, TX signed.
Jan 8th, 2017Amy Rose H. from Richmond Hill, NY writes:
Completely agree. 3 years no job. I live in Queens, came from the UK and all appropriate jobs in my area want Spanish, Chinese, Russian etc. Sorry, did I stop off in the wrong country? I am worried for your country and considering going home with my American hubby. Integration, not assimilation. What your ancestors would see is an invasion. I do not live in Spain and citizens supposedly require English, no? So who exactly are getting these jobs and for what reason? Have you common sense? Wake up America.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 6th, 2017Kelsey L. from San Antonio, TX writes:
I am a 24 year old college student looking for retail or food service jobs and it is appalling and discouraging how many of these jobs require a candidate to be bilingual in spanish. This type of requirement should NOT be allowed for jobs that do not pertain to foreign languages. This is blatant discrimination to Americans who do not speak spanish and that makes up the vast majority.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 5th, 2017Someone from Santa Ana, CA writes:
It is discrimination point blank and as an African American I am sick and tired of the numerous ways that the country finds to keep us out of work. This needs to be banned and, is absolutely absurd, it really is sad to hear our own people defending the Spanish requirement.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2017Eden M. from Zillah, WA signed.
Jan 4th, 2017Eden M. from Zillah, WA signed.
Jan 4th, 2017Someone from Zillah, WA writes:
I have experienced great difficulty over the past year trying to find a job. I'm young and college-educated, yet can't even find jobs that I'm overqualified for, all because I can't speak Spanish. In high school I took 3 years of it and struggled. I also learned that the Spanish that's taught in school's is proper Spanish, which many Hispanics don't speak. Just like how the English many people speak isn't proper. I live in an area where the Hispanic population dominates the Caucasian population, which makes finding a job even more difficult. Even looking in other cities that I'd have to commute to isn't promising, as jobs in those cities require you to be bilingual. It's unfair that my education has essentially gone to waste and I can't pay for my own bills. I don't receive government assistance, as I believe it's for people who really, truly need it. I've also been living with my parents since I finished college. I feel guilty that they help with my bills, along with having to pay their own. If serious changes aren't made, the consequences of requiring job-seekers to be bilingual is going to become even more detrimental.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 4th, 2017Someone from El Paso, TX writes:
I am a military spouse living with my husband at his duty station. His last duty station, I was unable to find work because of two reasons. 1. We were in the middle of nowhere, quite literally, and jobs were scarce amongst all of the spouses. 2. The jobs that were there were being filled by people who had no affiliation with the military and were locals. It hurt us financially only having one income, and that was with no children. Now, we are at a new duty station where thank the heavens we aren't in the middle of nowhere and jobs are plentiful. However, I have hit a new bump in the road. No one will hire me because I do not speak Spanish. Every job listing states Spanish is required. I am from a very rural state (West Virginia), there was never a requirement to speak another language. This is so frustrating. Until I finish my degree, or we move to another duty station, where hopefully I'll be able to secure a job, we will still be living off of income. Also, AAFES continues to hire locals, so still no job for spouses but that's another story.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 3rd, 2017Someone from Fort Lauderdale, FL writes:
I agree it is not fair to me I went to school and I have a family to take care of i'ma a sinlgle mother. I went to Mexico on vacation they didn't speak English and this was a resort for tourists. I find this discriminating! Americans should not have to speak Spanish. I know hispanics that have been living here their whole lives and speak no English They won't bother to learn because the people out there doing this are making it ok.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 3rd, 2017Someone from Bryan, TX writes:
This is not Mexico and I refuse to speak Spanish here or even acknowledge that I understand it. If these people want to live in America they need to learn the language of the land. The fact that employers can require an American working in America to speak Spanish is completely absurd.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJan 1st, 2017Someone from Ventura, CA writes:
I have not been able to find work in my Southern California community for 2 years because I don't speak Spanish. Even the county jobs require it. I'm sick of it and it's completely unfair. Spanish speaking people are not even encouraged to learn English. I would like to see this change.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 29th, 2016J P. from San Diego, CA writes:
Does anyone know how to write to President-Elect Donald Trump? I really admire how he wants to protect the American worker by preventing American companies from moving overseas but he does not know the fight we have everyday in the U.S. with the inability to apply for jobs because of the "Bilingual requirement."REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 29th, 2016Someone from Upland, CA writes:
Could not agree more! I see lots of perfect jobs...but must speak Spanish...or Mandarin or Chinese. It is out of control! Most cities are this way in Southern Calif. There is a new piece of equipment that you can attach to the phones and if someone is speaking Spanish or Chinese or whatever...you hear them in English...and when you speak back...they are hearing you in their language! Every single business needs this! If you are in retail or fast food...the person ordering needs to speak English...if not bring someone with you or they have to wait for a Spanish or Chinese speaker to help them! If I was going to move to Spain or China...you best believe I would be fluent in their language before even thinking about moving over there!! This is really so unfair! Every single ad for office workers will usually say at the bottom of the ad...must speak Spanish. What are we supposed to do?? These companies dont want someone who speaks High School Spanish...they want someone who SPEAKS it...reads it and writes it...fluently!!! Jobs are not very plentiful if you dont speak Spanish..what the heck is going on?? If you dont speak English ...find someone who does and then contact a company..why should we be penalized because we only speak English? It is just nuts!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 29th, 2016Someone from Vancouver, WA writes:
California is the wrong place to be if seeking a job without knowing how to speak Spanish. Rather than complain about it, I moved out of state. Found a job making $6 more an hour in my career field outside the state. Currently living in a NON-sanctuary city has been eye opening. What a difference!! The move was well worth it for many, many reasons. California should not be allowed any federal funding since it continues to ignore the obvious violations of federal laws by allow employers: Requiring fluency in Spanish to get or keep a job in the United States violates the race and national origin discriminatory provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Only in some cases can an employer stipulate a fluency requirement. Federal law bars an employer from discriminating against an employee or potential employee on the basis of age, gender, race, national origin, religion and marital and family status. National origin includes your ancestry, birthplace and culture. Discriminating against you because of the ethnicity of your last name also violates federal law. Since the language you speak is directly tied to your national origin, requiring you to speak anything else also violates federal law. Your employer must notify you of a fluency requirement, especially when the language is not your primary language. Firing or otherwise disciplining you for not being fluent, or not offering you a job because you aren't fluent, violates federal law. An employer can face legal consequences for doing so. REPORT THEM!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 29th, 2016Someone from Bakersfield, CA writes:
I have all the right skills, but the only thing that hurts is I don't speak Spanish. This is the USA. If you want to pay more for that skill, then by all means.. But to prevent one who is qualified from working because they don't speak Spanish is what's wrong with this country. I been having such a hard time finding work mostly because I cannot even be considered for employment (with the city, county, temp jobs, etc..) because I do not speak Spanish. This is bull..REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 26th, 2016Someone from Menifee, CA writes:
I've been trying to find a job for 3 years. I am a single Mother and I am skilled at many things. I have a long work history. However, I keep coming across employment positions that straight out state that spanish is a requirement. And those that don't state this in their job listings, end up asking in interviews. I've lost out on positions because I don't speak spanish. This is discrimination and something needs to be done about it!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 26th, 2016Someone from Bend, OR writes:
I have worked in many different industries in the past 15 years and some of them I have an extensive background and experience in them. I have noticed over the past few years how many jobs that I have been well qualified for, have not been offered due to the fact that I only speak English. Why should American citizens lose out on job opportunities just to cater to non English speaking illegal immigrants? This should be deemed discrimination, plain and simple.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 24th, 2016Carissa H. from Whittier, CA writes:
I was born and raised in the United States of America where our native language is and has always been English. Time and again jobs that I could do very well I have been ineligible for, because I do not speak Spanish. I'm being discriminated against in my own country, for not speaking another language besides our official language English.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 21st, 2016Someone from Cabazon, CA writes:
To ALL the employers that need bilingual employees MOVE ..MOVE >> MOVE.. your business out there . WE shall position ENGLISH business ONLY.. thank you for your efforts to keep english opportunities strong and available its your choice stop the crap or move out of the english speaking areas ASAP..SHUT THE COMPANY'S DOWN that don't use english as primary language ..REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 21st, 2016Gen A. from redondo beach, CA writes:
in america they have multi-languages. english was the 1st language of england not america nor anywhere else!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 18th, 2016Someone from Huntington Beach, CA writes:
English is our language....Not Spanish or any other language!! English first!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 18th, 2016Alana H. from Toms River, NJ signed.
Dec 18th, 2016Melinda D. from Tell City, IN writes:
About 10 years ago, when I arrived at a school to substitute teach, administration was angry, because I didn't speak Spanish. It turned out that the school had not listed being bilingual as a requirement. In this type of work, discrimination goes on every day in CA.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 18th, 2016Russell H. from Southgate, MI writes:
This is America. English ALWAYS comes first. NOT a foreign languageREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 18th, 2016Gayle H. from Watertown, WI writes:
English period it's that simple this is AmericaREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 16th, 2016Someone from Highland, CA signed.
Dec 15th, 2016Jennifer M. from Haddon Heights, NJ writes:
I am finding it increasingly difficult to obtain ANY office position because I am not bilingual. It seems that my 15+ years of experience and computer software expertise will get me an interview but not an offer once they ask the dreaded question.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 15th, 2016Someone from Nashville, TN writes:
Yes my mom whos worked with kids for over 20yrs applied for a play attendant job in Franklin, Tn at a workout place but didnt get the job because she didnt speak spanish. They threw on the application "must have several years of accounting" to get around the real reason she was turned away....cause she didnt speak spanish. I mean how many daycare jobs do you know that require employees needing several years of accounting just to be able to watch kids for an hour or two? But that is put on the application to get around the language/race discrimination law.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 14th, 2016Michelle F. from Gardena, CA writes:
I have also been disqualified from employment due to bilingual Spanish being a prerequisite. My husband and I are planning to move to Montana because of it.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 14th, 2016Mel C. from Bakersfield, CA writes:
Today I was told by a potential employer I was not being hired because I'm not fluent in Spanish. I'm "by far the more qualified candidate for the job," but since I don't speak Spanish I didn't get the position. Such bullsh!t !! *the quoted line is what the hiring manager said to me*REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 13th, 2016chris h. from Bakersfield, CA writes:
Hell yes! Some of those jobs have no reason to speak spanish. Like if I'm typing in names and numbers why do I need to know spanish. I don't. Mexicans want to hire mexicans....REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 13th, 2016Gil R. from Hammond, LA writes:
Funny how you want people here in US to learn how to speak English. Since they come here they should speak the language, you say. Stop being such a hypocrite for when you go to other countries whether for pleasure or business , you don't learn their language. the very first thing you want, demand is someone who speaks "your" language as if they have to cater to your needs. Bunch of hipocritical, selfish people. PleaseREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 13th, 2016Jerome G. from boynton beacn, FL writes:
if you live, work or anything else here in this country learn the language, this Bilingual in Spanish or any other language is ********, this must be strictly enforced on all employers no matter what, unless it's a translator job!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelDec 13th, 2016Jerome G. from boynton beacn, FL writes:
if you live, work or anything else here in this country learn the language, this Bilingual in Spanish or any other language is ********, this must be strictly enforced on all employers no matter what, unless it's a translator job!!!REPORT COMMENTS
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