Being Bilingual in Spanish a discrimination against job seekers
Public Comments (2,313)
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Oct 7th, 2015Someone from Salinas, CA signed.
Oct 6th, 2015Someone from Houston, TX signed.
Oct 5th, 2015Someone from Tavernier, FL signed.
Oct 4th, 2015Someone from Charlotte, NC writes:
It is not a work skill, such as Excel or PowerPoint, which can be learned in a semester. The jobs require "fluent in Spanish" which takes immersion or multiple classes. Where are the "Spanish as a second language" classes for those of us that are legal and seeking employment? Tons of FREE "English as a second language" classes advertised. We are the discarded Americans.Oct 4th, 2015Someone from Odessa, TX writes:
It's ridiculous that I miss out on so many job opportunities in the state of Texas, because I'm not bilingual.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 4th, 2015Someone from Salem, OR signed.
Oct 1st, 2015Someone from Miami, FL writes:
This is the United States of America. I'm Haitian American but we do not expect everyone to know French or creole because we are here in the USA. I think it is should be discrimination for companies to hire Spanish/English speakers for a non-translator job. Hiring only Spanish speakers for jobs that are not for translation should be reported to EEOC. Most Hispanics expect here in the USA everyone must speak Spanish. I think this is what Donald Trump believes too.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 1st, 2015Someone from Chelan, WA signed.
Oct 1st, 2015Someone from Chelan, WA writes:
I would like to quote someone on this immigration issue as a topic of the day. It applied in his time and in ours. Mr. Teddy Roosevelt "We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birth-place or origin. But this is predicated upon the man?s becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn?t doing his part as an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 29th, 2015Someone from Orange, CA writes:
For Any job in America it is language discrimination to require applicants to be bilingual. You couy be fully qualified, but because you do not speak Spanish you're denied employment in the USA so wrong!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 29th, 2015Someone from New Brunswick, NJ writes:
Lots of very good points from previous letter writers. I agree with so many. English-speaking folks speaking the homeland's language at HOME!? Nope! Not good enough these days. It's ridiculous! This is the United States and English is our language, not Spanish. Yes, I realize that businesses want to be able to serve the immigrant Hispanic community, but they are catering to them. In fact, they may actually be doing a disservice to them by removing the incentive to learn English, which is the common language in so many fields (e.g. aviation) and is still something they need to learn. It's short-sighted, unless we are all going to be speaking only Spanish in the years to come. I jest, but only halfheartedly. Even government jobs now have the 'bilingual' requirement. Really?!?? The US Government...in the US. And, whenever I'm told that the job requirement -- er, ahem, preference -- is 'bilingual' I always ask "what languages?" It seems they try to soften their own discrimination. Bilingual sounds so innocuous, musical even. It sounds so much better than "we really want you to be able to speak Spanish here at this job in the United States for this US company." How can we allow this to happen? We need more people to speak out and stop this nonsense! This is a new form of employment discrimination that is being ignored by both political parties unfortunately.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 29th, 2015Someone from San Bernardino, CA writes:
It's not fair. What about are children and their futures? The school system is making it a requirement now for them to learn Spanish. CrazyREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 28th, 2015Someone from Salt Lake City, UT writes:
I agree!! Speaking Spanish, albeit a wonderful additional skill, should not be allowed to be used as a discriminating factor against job seekers. Unless as listed above translating is a specific job function such as a translator position. In the example of the person who commented about applying for mental health jobs, that is especially inappropriate. If that is a requirement it should be part of licensure, however it isn't, therefore employers should not discriminate for that reason. If the situation was reversed and someone does not speak English, that would be inappropriate as well, it's reverse discrimination. Also, for the woman who commented below, lecturing on people who need to educate themselves; maybe consider some people may have limited resources and do not have the luxury to pay for Spanish or other language classes or may have a learning disability or similar barrier. Educate yourself. We all have different circumstances.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 28th, 2015Someone from Alexander, AR writes:
I have applied for over 50 jobs in California which require or prefer bilingual in Spanish. I thought they would still look at my qualifications and call for an interview but crickets.... I have redone my resume and cover letter over 10x hoping to make it better. Jobs state that it is either fully licensed which kicks me out or when I find counselor intern, must be bilingual. And I really need to relocate because there are zero mental health jobs here in my city. It's so difficult to find a job and when you do interview they say why did you work at Gap or Kroger or why haven't you worked in your field. Hmm...REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 27th, 2015Someone from Houston, TX writes:
I am a 7th-generation White American woman. I speak 5 (five) languages fluently. My goal is to speak 10 (ten) languages fluently. Have you people who believe that America should be English only forgotten what America is about? Have you read what is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty? We invite people from all over the world to come to our country and then we as a nation are ready to discriminate against them right away because they do not have the language skills. Instead of complaining and being a part of the problem, educate yourselves! If you want a job, go out and get the skills that the employers want. You are not entitled to any position you want simply because you think you should have it. You have the ability to get an education. Exercise your brains and be smart. Then, search for the job you want based on the skills that you have. Business is becoming more and more global. Any stubborn die-hards who believe that English-only is the way to go are sadly going to learn the hard way that the world will continue without them.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 25th, 2015Someone from San Jose, CA writes:
I am an immigrant from Asia. We do not get any preferential treatment. We earn our money. the government is favoring one group of people - the Spanish speakers and bending over to accommodate them when half of them do not contribute to the system. Let them learn the language, earn their own money and provide for their own families. Even government jobs have requirements for bilingual speakers. This is unfair to other group of people.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 23rd, 2015Someone from Lake Charles, LA signed.
Sep 23rd, 2015Someone from Wellington, FL signed.
Sep 23rd, 2015Someone from Los Angeles, CA writes:
First off I'm multilingual as in I speak four languages including English. I'm a 8th generation here in the U.S. My family of German decent. Amongst my family we still speak German and in public it's English. I've served my country as did my father and grandfather and many cousins, uncles, and we all speak fluent native English. I love this country and the idea that all are welcome to come and work for and enjoy the American Dream. However if I have to learn Spanish in order to communicate w/ my coworkers its (excuse my language) ********. If you wish to move here then assimilate and learn English. If I go to Mexico the language is Spanish, to France its French, Germany its German and to Russia its Russian. We're in America and its ENGLISH. I'm tired of losing a job or not being considered because I'm a non Spanish speaker. I've been told by a few places I applied and a few I've worked for I should just learn Spanish. NO you should learn ENGLISH its really simple.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 22nd, 2015Someone from Corona, CA writes:
I am having a very difficult time seeking employment due to the fact I am not bilingual in Spanish. I am more than qualified for the positions that are available in my career field, but because I do not speak Spanish I am not qualified. This truly is discrimination if you only speak English.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 22nd, 2015Someone from Corona, CA signed.
Sep 22nd, 2015Someone from Saint Cloud, FL writes:
My main concern is that it is getting harder and harder to get a job where I live in Florida without the ability to speak Spanish. I cannot move and I have taken 2 years of Spanish courses at a college and I still cannot speak it. I just do not have the capacity to learn a different language. And what are my children going to do?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 22nd, 2015Someone from Miami, FL signed.
Sep 21st, 2015Someone from North Hollywood, CA writes:
It is ridiculous that people are being penalized because English is the Official Language of the United States of America. It is reverse discrimination to require a person to be bilingual. It is an added bonus, which should provide additional income. But it should not count against people who are not bilingual.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 21st, 2015Someone from Sanford, FL writes:
I was working at a Hospital in Orlando Florida, after taking mandatory sick leave for surgery, when i came back from it i was sent to HR and interviewed for a different position in the housekeeping at $9.25 hr verses my $13.10 hr Security Salary. I ask them why they stated that my position in the Security Dept was already taking, then they ask me if i can speak Spanish they would be able to reserve a different shift for me in my Security dept. I told no them no i don't speak Spanish fluently but enough to get by, they force me to resign if do not choose the housekeeping position. I try getting a Lawyer but they were afraid to represent me because most Orlando, FL lawyers get funding from their Firms..I was extremely angry and disappointed. Not only i have 19 yrs experience in the Field i have many certifications in the law enforcement field but it seem to not matter, and my Interviewer was Hispanic. This is discrimination at its best.....I spoke about this issue will get out of hand for many years but no listen to me..Now it became a nation problem to all English speakers of the US. ...WHEN DID THE US BECAME UNITED STATES OF SPAIN.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 20th, 2015Someone from San Luis Obispo, CA signed.
Sep 20th, 2015Someone from El Paso, TX writes:
I'm tired of America making our current citizens who are not bilingual, suffer.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 19th, 2015Someone from Las Vegas, NV signed.
Sep 18th, 2015Someone from Bellflower, CA signed.
Sep 18th, 2015Someone from Staten Island, NY writes:
It's a disgrace when you go to college, get debt for trying to advance your education but get turned down for work because your not bilingual. America is the only country that would make their own people learn another language to accommodate someone else that's not from here.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 18th, 2015Someone from Maitland, FL signed.
Sep 18th, 2015Someone from Temecula, CA signed.
Sep 18th, 2015Someone from Temecula, CA writes:
Amost alll jobs in southern California require spanish. Very few positions will hire non Spanish speaking canidates.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 17th, 2015Someone from Orlando, FL writes:
Florida employers are using this in so many jib openings effectively shutting a lot of qualified people from getting jobs and contributing to high unemployment numbers of black people.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 17th, 2015Someone from Orlando, FL writes:
Florida employers are using this in so many jib openings effectively shutting a lot of qualified people from getting jobs and contributing to high unemployment numbers of black people.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 17th, 2015Someone from Hollywood, FL signed.
Sep 17th, 2015Someone from Hollywood, FL signed.
Sep 16th, 2015Someone from Mira Loma, CA writes:
It's not fair that we have to accommodate people that want to be in our Country but do not want to learn our language! When we go to another country they don't make these provisions for us unless it's a tourist attraction! It's not fair that they can come and reap benefits and get all of the jobs! It's like a slap in the face! Not racist at all but right is right! If you want to be in an English speaking country you need to adapt not us!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelSep 16th, 2015Someone from Laurel, MD writes:
I think it's not fair that to be qualified for most jobs you have to be bilingual. This is America. The primary language here is English not spanish.REPORT COMMENTS
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