Share:

Being Bilingual in Spanish a discrimination against job seekers

Public Comments (2,313)
  • Jul 30th, 2015
    Someone from Irving, TX writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I've been turned own for many jobs I would love to have simply because I don't speak Spanish. I am a hard worker and I have the right experience, skills and qualifications, but I get turned down because I'm a Caucasian American who speaks my NATIVE LANGUAGE? If you move here, learn the country's damn language. America may not have an official language but it's pretty damn clear that English is it. Turning a hardworking, qualified person for a job simply because they don't speak a language that 25% (feels more like 90% of the country now) of people speak? White privilege my ass.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 30th, 2015
    Someone from Canoga Park, CA signed.
  • Jul 29th, 2015
    Someone from Pico Rivera, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I have a BSN, and I have no vertical or lateral movement in my current job because I don't speak Spanish!! Basically, I cannot transfer out of my current position because most of the jobs are demanding for Bilingual Spanish. Pathetic. I am happy to see that I am not the only one that feels this way about illegal immigrants coming to our beautiful country and corrupting it with their illegitimate demands to speak their language. Learn English like everyone else had to learn. If I went to Mexico or South America, etc, I would not get away with speaking English only. I have spoken with illegal immigrants (they admitted they were "undocumented"), and they said there is no need or incentive to speak English. They carry on with Spanish because they are allowed to do so. Disgusting that I can't get a better job in California, because I don't speak fluent Spanish.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 27th, 2015
    Someone from Cibolo, TX writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I live just north of San Antonio and I have an engineering degree and a degree in science. I am an honors graduate in both degrees from UT Austin and I have patents in Chemistry. I have been out of work for over 4 months now and I have been applying like crazy. I do speak and write some Spanish, but I am not fluent and I cannot get a job for the life of me. I've very significantly lowered my salary requirements to almost minimum wage. This has to be discrimination of some type because it makes no sense otherwise. What other reason could possibly exist for why an educated man who is willing to work for very little money and who is extremely willing to work cannot find any work; all I get is rejections. I was at my last job for 3 1/2 years. What really perturbs me is that I am not unable to speak Spanish. I took 2 years of it in school and I still speak and write it, just not fluently. I am a native English speaker, so I cannot answer on job applications that I am fluent in Spanish and so I am disqualified immediately. THIS IS DISCRIMINATION!
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 27th, 2015
    Someone from Lutz, FL writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    unfair to be a requirement
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 25th, 2015
    Someone from Estero, FL writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    It is a travesty that in America even though you are more qualified than another person who speeks Spanish you are not hired solely based on that. This is discrimination at its core. Cry out to your legislators and demand that this needs to stop and surely should be added to the fairness in the work place act.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 25th, 2015
    Someone from Sherman Oaks, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    Im willing to do the jobs mexicans wont do.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 24th, 2015
    Someone from Lorton, VA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I understand that the United States has no official language, however English is still very much the majority spoken. It should be considered discrimination for employers to deny monolingual citizens jobs based on their inability to speak the minority's language. Speaking a second language should be considered a skill and not a requirement. It's simply unethical and quite disrespectful to hardworking people.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 24th, 2015
    Someone from Corona, CA signed.
  • Jul 23rd, 2015
    Someone from Long Beach, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    Since we live in America, English should be the primary language. Therefore American job seekers should not require them to be bilingual. It over steps an invisible line for discrimination in preferring a certain race's language, other than our country's basic language. Understandably, America is a melting pot, but it should not refuse citizens born on it's land, a job to accommodate immigrants from another country. This is not a rejection for present bilinguals, but for employers refusing a position to a well skilled American that only speaks English.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 21st, 2015
    Someone from Fort Lauderdale, FL writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    Its not only discrimination it's a downright disgrace when a company requires you to speak spanish or be bilingual to get a job the ones that won't learn to speak English when they come to this country are the ones who are geting the government assistance as well as getting the jobs especially in Dade County Florida
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 21st, 2015
    Someone from Las Vegas, NV writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    Im a military veteran seeking employment and its been hard since most jobs in Las Vegas want you to be bilingual. Ive taken Spanish in high school but I don't think I should be disqualified from any position based off of a language barrier.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 19th, 2015
    Someone from Oak Harbor, WA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I am a recent college graduate with a BA in Humam Services and am continously being rendered disqualified for positions because I am not a bilingual spanish speaker. I find this unfair and discriminatory, as it puts preference on certain ethnicities over others. I am qualified for all these positions, yet am not even considered. It is not right that qualified Americans are rejected for jobs based on the need to accomadate immigrants who lack basic English skills. Its only getting worse.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 17th, 2015
    Someone from Mason, OH writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I don't speak English, and I American Citizen of born. I don;t find a job because I have to know bilingual.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 17th, 2015
    Someone from East Orange, NJ signed.
  • Jul 17th, 2015
    Someone from West Covina, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I can't get a job because I am not Bilingual This is not fair ,I have the skill but don't know Spanish and in my own country I have to know a other language not fair
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 15th, 2015
    Someone from Pasadena, TX signed.
  • Jul 15th, 2015
    Someone from Pasadena, TX writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I had T-mobile call and offer me a interview today and then take back their offer after learning I could not speak Spanish...
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 15th, 2015
    Someone from Las Vegas, NV signed.
  • Jul 14th, 2015
    Someone from Irving, TX writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    Since WHEN did Spanish become the PRIMARY language of America. This is down right discrimination and encouraging laziness to those who come to this ENGLISH speaking country and fail to adapt and learn the PRIMARY LANGUAGE. It's funny how we are a country of MANY CULTURES, YET, the ONLY group of people being pitied are the lazy hispanics who can't pass our classes, use our government funds which by the way are supported by TAX PAYERS, and lets not forget the illegals who we somehow can't seem to find yet they manage to get an ITIN to work in this country as an ILLEGAL citizen. Hispanics, Mexicans, whatever they want to be called are not the only people experiencing some type of warfare. Asians, Puerto Ricans, Indians, Africans, etc are experiencing the same IF NOT WORSE treatment in their country, but yet we ONLY cater to the IGNORANCE of those who can only "ES SPEAKIE SPANISH". America is entitled to be the "Land of the Free", but I refuse to support a "Land of Ignorance", and that's exactly what we've succumb to; prior to Obama and even Dummy Bush (the son). I rest my case! Good Day.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 14th, 2015
    Someone from Hollywood, FL signed.
  • Jul 13th, 2015
    Someone from Clearwater, FL signed.
  • Jul 13th, 2015
    Someone from Fullerton, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I work at an Ice Cream distribution company and because I don't speak Spanish the other girls in the office are absolute *******s to me. Last time I checked we are in California, Orange County even, if I don't speak Spanish and yes I am Hispanic how is that a bad thing? My parents were born here my grandparents were born here so English is what we speak. To me if you want to come here to California and you want all the benefits of being here then you should learn English. I know that they speak more English than they let on and that in its self is wrong. You want the American dollar? Speak the American language, I am Hispanic and my last name is Hernandez/Perez, I was born here and so were my parents and my grandparents. Why should I have to learn another language to satisfy you? I know without a doubt that if I went to Mexico I would not have a problem with the language barrier as long as money is coming out of my pocket, I SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT HAVE TO SPEAK SPANISH IN CALIFORNIA. YOU WANT CALIFORNIA PAYCHECKS? LEARN ENGLISH!!!!!!
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 10th, 2015
    Someone from Geneva, IL signed.
  • Jul 10th, 2015
    Someone from San Diego, CA signed.
  • Jul 9th, 2015
    Someone from Miami, FL writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    As a former president said: It“s the economy, stupid! Spanish speaker Immigrants generates more GDP yearly than Mexico. Hispanic consumers spend more money related to their salary than another group. Your bosses want this market and their money! Monolingual guys are less competitive than bi or multilingual people. That“s it! Purchasing power from growing and demanding hispanic group will be the future and everybody must adapt to this. Besides, i think nobody must be feeling bad to know several languages except lazy people
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 9th, 2015
    Someone from Patterson, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    It is very discouranging when you go to an interview and they require you to speak spanish during the interview to qualify you for the job. It is not fair to english speaking legal citizens to have to suffer the consequences because immigrants refuse to learn our native tongue.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 9th, 2015
    Someone from San Jose, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    i find that the fact you must be bilingual to get almost any job now very discriminatory, as stated by many if the job isnt about translating say for a store that caters to vacationers from other countries, this is no different than discrimination for buying a house if i said you must be english speaking to buy this house i would get sued for discrimination,so why is this very same law different than when it comes to work, by the way american born and speak 5 languages
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 8th, 2015
    Someone from Katy, TX writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    Are children, ALL children should be able to learn a second language from kindergarten on.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 8th, 2015
    Someone from Stockton, CA signed.
  • Jul 8th, 2015
    Someone from Stockton, CA signed.
  • Jul 8th, 2015
    Someone from Dallas, TX writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I have a Master's Degree in Library Science (MLS). I applied and went on job interviews many times especially from libraries like the Dallas Public Library and many libraries from Dallas, Texas or near the area. One of the reasons why I am having a hard time getting a job in a library is because I am not bilingual. When you read the library job descriptions they will tell you Bilingual is a plus, Bilingual preferred, or Bilingual is helpful but not necessary. Again, the libraries in Dallas, Texas or near the city want you to be bilingual. I do not think that is discriminating and it is not fair. The United States of America is supposed to be an English speaking country. It is not a requirement to speak English in Mexico and they only have one language and it is Spanish. Hispanics are not the only race of people in America. There is other race of people and they are required to speak English. I want to know how come other race of people is forced to speak English except for the Hispanics. What is so great about them? They should learn to speak English like everybody else. Are the Americans afraid of them or are they taking over this country? It does not make sense for it to be two different languages in this country. I am an American and I am not going to force myself to learn to speak Spanish for a job. The people in other countries have only one language and it is their native language. Also, it does not make sense for there to be two different languages on most products. America is wasting money having two different languages, as well as, products in two different languages. Why can't America do the same?
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 7th, 2015
    Someone from Santa Cruz, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    Requiring job applicants to be bilingual IS discrimination, no matter the wording used to disguise job description requirements in the workforce. Our country needs to stop catering to people who make little effort to learn OUR language (and to those who disrespect our laws by coming here illegally), yet seem to have no problems getting access to government benefits and working the systems designed for \'minorities\'. They haven\'t been minorities for a very long time, and the numbers continue to increase daily. STOP discrimination against English speaking natural born citizens in the US workforce, and stop catering to the people who come here feeling a sense of entitlement which I see every day in own my community. Make them prove they respect our county and our laws by coming here legally and by learning our language so that we aren't forced to learn theirs to communicate with them.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 7th, 2015
    Someone from Santa Cruz, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    Requiring job applicants to be bilingual IS discrimination, no matter how they try to disguise it's wording. I am the minority, not the hispanic/latino people where I live. Do you think that if we were to go to other countries they would go out of their way to speak English to us if it wasn't the language spoken in their country?? Our country needs to stop catering to people who make little effort to learn OUR language (and some who disrespect our laws by coming here illegally), yet seem to have no problems getting access to government benefits and working the systems designed for 'minorities'. They haven't been minorities for a very long time, and the numbers continue to increase every day.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 3rd, 2015
    Someone from Dickinson, TX signed.
  • Jul 2nd, 2015
    Someone from Pompano Beach, FL writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I quit my second job because I got yelled at for asking two people to speak English. The laws are really twisted in America. This is America, everyone should be speaking English. Half the jobs in Broward County, you have to be bilingual to be considered to work there. This is so unfair to Americans. Where can we go to work?
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jul 1st, 2015
    Someone from El Paso, TX signed.
  • Jun 30th, 2015
    Someone from Fresno, CA writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    It's frustrating, getting passed over for jobs that I am well qualified for but, because I'm not bilingual, I have no chance. I have a degree in Business and most of the jobs, out here in CA, require you to be bilingual in English/Spanish. Mostly every job post says "Must be bilingual". I feel it's discriminating. Not a whole lot of people who aren't Hispanic/Latino are fluent in Spanish. So basically, what the ads are telling you is if you're not Hispanic, don't apply. There used to be a time where if you happened to be bilingual, it was a plus and you received extra compensation. Now, its a requirement. Why do they allow this? I understand if it would help because most of the workers are Spanish speaking, but, this is America. Why can't they learn to speak English? Why do American-born citizens have to conform? It's not fair to those of us who were born here, who speak our national language, and who spent thousands of dollars on an education, only to be locked out of the job market for not being bilingual. Something needs to be done.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jun 29th, 2015
    Someone from Orlando, FL writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    I have been looking for a standard office job for months now. I have all the skills needed to do the job. The only speed bump I keep running into is the need to be bilingual in English and Spanish. Some jobs will say they PREFER bilingual speakers, which means if you don't speak Spanish, you might as well not even apply, because they are more than likely to choose another candidate who speaks Spanish over you, no matter how excellent your resume is. It is not fair and it is not right. America is an English-speaking country, and it is not fair to those who were born and raised here, who are now required to learn an entire different language just to accommodate others who have come into OUR country and can't speak the language.
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel
  • Jun 27th, 2015
    Someone from Houston, TX writes:
    Quotation mark icon
    This is insane - bilingual is being used discriminate and allow less educated and skilled to enter workplace environments over nationals
    REPORT COMMENTS

    Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.

       
    No, Cancel