Being Bilingual in Spanish a discrimination against job seekers
Public Comments (2,313)
-
Aug 2nd, 2017Lisa P. from Hollister, CA writes:
We can no longer continue catering to every immigrant or illegal that comes to the USA. When this country was looking to grow and build it had immigrants coming from all over to take part in becoming one with a country that was going to give them a better life. They became citizens & were more than happy to work hard, learn the language, appreciate their freedom and were proud of their new home they called the USA. Nothing was handed to them nor did they expect it be. Today, that is not the case. Our politicians and bleeding heart liberals think that everyone that comes here with a "woe is me" story or skips across our borders, gets to go to the head of the line in front of all the hard working American citizens that get "Nothing for Free"!!! We pay for it all. All while most of us live paycheck to paycheck. Healthcare, section 8 housing, education, COLLEGE at that, food, childcare, free services such as translators in hospitals, government facilities, court, lawyers the list goes on and on. And if that isn't bad enough we (Americans) get turned down for a job because we don't speak SPANISH??? If foreigners can't speak English, get a job, take care of themselves, contribute to the country, follow the laws, assimilate and everything else that's required of us as American Citizens, then STAY THE HELL OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!! We owe no one but our own, especially our Military, Seniors, and of course our children!! I can guarantee that if all Americans lost their jobs or couldn't get one because they couldn't speak Spanish, we'd be on our own and wouldn't get to go to the front of the line...ever!! We have a good thing here but if we don't stand up for what we have and protect it, we're gonna get screwed!!! And if a company requires you to speak Spanish in order to be hired, they should be reported and sued for discrimination!! Why do all the foreigners get to throw out their discrimination card, but we get a deck of jokers!! Last I checked this was the UNITED STATED OF AMERICA, English is "OUR" language!! -
Aug 2nd, 2017Jaime H. from Colorado Springs, CO signed.
Jul 31st, 2017Jaime H. from Colorado Springs, CO signed.
Jul 31st, 2017Jolene W. from Hemet, CA writes:
MUST BE BILINGUAL on a job application is descrimination. What happened to the good ok days. MUST SPEAK AND READ 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, CancelJul 31st, 2017Jolene W. from Hemet, CA writes:
I feel the same way. Trying to get a job that I have skills for but denied because I don't speak Spanish is not fair People should speak English I the U.S.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, CancelJul 29th, 2017J P. from San Diego, CA writes:
People will say that the U.S. hasn't made English its official language and so that makes it okay for companies to hire bilingual employees. Really? Then what language is taught to students in schools in the U.S. from preschool to college - its English. The books students read from in school are in English. The only time a class is taught in Spanish is when you are learning the language. When I was in school, all my subjects were taught in English - Science, History, Math, etc and they still are, all over this country. What has happened to the United States?!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, CancelJul 25th, 2017America I. from Elk Grove Village, IL writes:
Economic migrants come to the USA, a beautiful free country and turn it into a Spanish speaking world where they are prejudiced against USA native borne speaking Americans. Instead of being grateful they are trying to turn our country into the countries they came from. They should go back to their own countries instead of displacing Americans. Worst of all, this is a subsidized tragedy.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, CancelJul 25th, 2017Beverly H. from San Pedro, CA writes:
I am a African American women with my Masters in Human Resource Management and I have been insulted with the feed back from interviewees. You have set the bar for the next person we will interview. However; we are seeking Spanish speaking employees for this position. My heart just dropped and I knew when I walk out that interview that I would not get that job! Not based on my qualifications but based on the language that I speak "Fluent 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, CancelJul 24th, 2017Someone from Pasadena, TX writes:
I have been a Medical Assistant for over thirteen years. I have even taught classes in my field. Why is it I can not find a job that doesn't require me to be fluent in another language? If I do happen to run across one it pays a little above most minimum wage.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, CancelJul 21st, 2017Texas born A. from Houston, TX writes:
I am sooooo outraged by all this must be bilingual crap! I don't feel that i should be punished in the United States of America, for being born in the United States of America, thus only being able to speak English! Despite my very laxed writing in this comment, I am very educated and articulate, but unfortunately, that gets me nowhere, as my 20 years or experience doesn't either. And this is all because I only speak my native language, English! It is so frustrating and heart breaking for people to tell me I must fluently speak another language in order to keep a home, my vehicle, feeed and clothe my children, etc. It's almost as if being told "become a welfare mom, live in slums, or learn Spanish". I am so discouraged and heart broken right now that nothing I do or say, nor how professional I am in presentation, or my proven track record, is enough for me to find decent employment with decent pay and benefits. I am stuck working in a seasonal field, all because I have been unable to land emolument over the past two years, mainly because I'm an administrative professional, and I don not speak fluent Spanish. I speak a little, and understand a little bit more than I speak, but it is quite difficult for me to attempt to rush to learn a language that I would only need for work. I don't speak Spanish in my home, or at church, or in any one aspect of my life. So how would I be able to practice or hold on to what little bit I learn? I constantly forget words, and how to put together phrases because I don't need to speak Spanish anywhere. It's so frustrating that I can be punished this way where I live and was born and raised.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, CancelJul 18th, 2017Someone from Santa Cruz, CA writes:
I agree! I have been turned down because I can speak casual Spanish but not FLUENT. I've lived in Spain and have a place in Mexico and get by with my broken Spanish. Now when I applied for a job they turn me down cause my Spanish is not fluent! My dad came here from Hungary in 1945 after being in the Holocaust. He only finished 6th grade there before the Nazis took him away into the Concentration Camps at 15 year old. When he survived and arrived on Ellis Island he had to sign an agreement not to rely on any government hand outs. He assimilated and learned the English language. Built a business and supported us without anyone or anything. Now, I have applied to numerous jobs which i would love to have the opportunity to work for but because I'm NOT fluent in Spanish they won't consider me!!! Well....why can't the immigrants learn our language? Why as an American citizen am I limited? So frustrating! I'm not a prejudice person yet I really want to start an activist group to educate others and start a law with companies that REQUIRE SPEAKING FLUENT SPANISH....against the law! If I were residing in Mexico, Spain or any other Latino country I would understand. But here in America? Let's start an Activist group. I don't know where to start?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, CancelJul 14th, 2017Someone from Rialto, CA writes:
You can file a claim with the EEOC if your employer bases employment on whether you speak a certain language. The EEOC will then investigate and may even file a lawsuit against your employer. For example, in 2009, it sued Michoacan Seafood Group, LLC for firing two otherwise qualified employees who did not speak Spanish. It sought to permanently stop the company from discriminating against its employees. It also sought back wages, compensatory and punitive damages and other relief for the employees who were fired and a number of other former employees who 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, CancelJul 11th, 2017Someone from Houston, TX writes:
It is ridiculous that an English only speaker cannot even get an entry level job without knowing Spanish. I'm tired of seeing bilingual preferred, required, etc. So many teenagers cannot get summer jobs at fast food places because they don't speak Spanish. If we can offer free Spanish lessons, and coddle their kids through school teaching them in Spanish, why can't Spanish lessons be offered for everyone else? Or better yet, make English the official language. English is still known as the language for business dealings in other countries, why is the USA back peddling by caving and make sure we cater to one specific group?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, CancelJul 10th, 2017Lynn G. from Hemet, CA writes:
Spanish should be offered FREE as (S)panish as a (S)econd (L)anguage, just as ESL is offered free to non- English speakers. Government discriminates against non-Spanish speakers by not funding classes. Gives advantage to those who already know Spanish to get jobs from Americans. This is government 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, CancelJul 7th, 2017Someone from Far Rockaway, NY signed.
Jul 6th, 2017Someone from North Miami Beach, FL writes:
I agree. Finding a job in South Florida without being "bilingual" is virtually impossible and everyone who is not from Cuba or Russia is virtually discriminated for not being able to speak Spanish or Russian. I have a bachelors degree from a top university in jobs that I could've easily gotten in other areas are now impossible for me to get down here because they force everybody to have to be bilingual but I was not born Hispanic. Please outlaw this descriminatory practice ASAP in the USA!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, CancelJul 6th, 2017Christ M. from New York, NY signed.
Jul 5th, 2017Cindy E. from Las Vegas, NV writes:
I believe at some point in time, in the US, English only speakers will be pushed out of the job market for the predominate Hispanic population which is growing rapidly. I think and immigrant coming to the US must learn the country's language, not the other way around. The almighty dollar wins again. There are going to be many law suits and pressure in our government to make English, the primary, not secondary language of this county.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, CancelJul 4th, 2017Someone from Houston, TX writes:
I completely agree. I live in Houston Tx and it's the most discriminatory state in the US that I can think of. I have a degree, I am very professional and speak moderate spanish but can not find employment in this city unless i am fluent in spanish, AKA, bilingual. Did I mention I also took Japanese in an American college and live in the United States. This is unfair to many of us who work hard in school to acquire a skill and is turned away in the real world because of the discriminatory practice of, must be bilingual. I can understand bilingual as plus but not as a requirement for a job in the United States of America. This is an extremely unacceptable and very frustrating practice.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, CancelJul 3rd, 2017Someone from Houston, TX writes:
Im having such a hard time finding a job here in Houston Texas..all the jobs want billingual spanish speakers...I have a degree and cant even get a job because I dont speak spanish...I feel im being descriminated against...for illegal immigrants that don't bother to learn english...This is the USA...or language is 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, CancelJul 3rd, 2017Someone from Sarasota, FL signed.
Jun 27th, 2017Someone from Miami Beach, FL writes:
One country one language. ENGLISH. Too many are coming here and not bothering to learn English . Private sector wants their business pushing American English speakers out of job market. Why are we catering to this? Forced out of a job market to people who Come here , live for 20 years and not bother to learn English ?? I was a exxchange student and learned Spanish and used it when living in Venezuela. I made the effort. I didn't go around demanding English and hover only with Americans. I joined society . I demand INCLUSION with ENGLISH at work and the government . This is rediculous. I've been seen job advertisements all in Spanish . NO! This has to stop! I'm a British citizen as well. Britain has a official language . ENGLISH. This is not a problem There as English is enforced and everyone learns. My husband is a immigrant from Europe and speaks 5 languages. He's got a green card and Masters and dedicated to the USA. He has trouble Finding a job as so many demand Spanish . He doesn't want to be a translator . This is rediculous . It is the immigrants responsibility to find a interpreter to help them and learn the language . I have been a immigrant and now my husband is. I see both sides and NOT the lazy selfish side. ONE COUNTRY ONE 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, CancelJun 27th, 2017Sam P. from Tucson, AZ writes:
So I just tried this government job seekers website and called the number in my city (Tucson) -> https://des.az.gov/services/employment/job-seekers/jobs-program-cash-assistance-recipients [(520) 638-2224]. Upon the guy answering he says no English, Spanish only. Am I living in Mexico now? Can we hurry up and build the wall and deport all these Spanish only speakers? Isn't speaking English one of the requirements of living in America?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, CancelJun 27th, 2017Someone from Staten Island, NY writes:
I agree. People who move here need to learn English. Why shouldn't they?????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, CancelJun 27th, 2017Someone from Herndon, VA writes:
I am an Indian American. I speak Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English languages. That's a total of 4 languages. I have been experiencing a problem when applying for jobs within the Northern Virginia area. Lots of prospective employers state in their job ads that they want bilingual Spanish speaking candidates for the positions being advertised. It is very disappointing for me to be automatically disqualified for jobs simply because I do not speak Spanish as well. I don't think it is fair for employers to expect me at my age to go learn English to survive in the American job market. Despite having been born in India my parents and I learned English to function fully in USA. Having English as the national language of USA would at least allow all legal Americans to compete equally and fairly for the positions in our already difficult economy.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, CancelJun 26th, 2017Bianca L. from Channelview, TX writes:
It's already against the law. What isn't against the law is that requiring you to speak Spanish (or any other language) can be enforced if the primary base of consumers for the company speak another language. I absolutely hate it too though. It's stupid and puts everyone but Latinos out of good skilled jobs.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, CancelJun 25th, 2017Someone from Akron, OH signed.
Jun 23rd, 2017Someone from Provo, UT writes:
I am NOT going to be required to learn Spanish in order to be successful in my OWN ENGLISH speaking country. My husband is NOT going to be required to learn Spanish either. I can guarantee that if i went into another country to live, I would be required to learn THEIR language. And, do you know what??? THAT'S FAIR!!!! What is NOT FAIR is having to learn someone else's language in my OWN country. I am not, have never been, nor will I EVER be a Spanish speaker. Is Spanish a beautiful language?? Yes it is. I am all for people keeping hold of their roots. Forcing them on the rest of us is WRONG!! If I ever move to Spain, I will gladly learn Spanish, because I would be a guest in THEIR country. Yes, I would still speak English in my home and among my loved ones, but when doing business there and such, I would show them the respect that they deserve and speak Spanish. The United States of America is an English speaking country and will remain such. If people want to learn Spanish of their own accord, FINE. But, the more that you try to force me, the more I will refuse to do so.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, CancelJun 23rd, 2017Someone from Cape Coral, FL writes:
I find it ridiculous that employers already provide translation in documents and use translator means to communicate for customers or patients. But, not for potential employees. Our primary language is English. Immigrants come to our country and it is put on us to learn their language??? That's*****backwards if you ask me.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, CancelJun 16th, 2017Someone from La Crescenta, CA writes:
It's gotten ridiculous in California to look for a job. It's already against federal law to deny employment based on language of origin and yet every other posting requires Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian..where does this end, exactly? I am just wondering how many foreign languages I will need to learn just to work in a bank or office in my home country. Most of us are perfectly fine with welcoming others to our country, but at some point, we're being pushed out of our own homes and it needs to stop. So many think it's only the agriculture jobs that immigrants 'take' but nothing is further from the truth. A Bank of America branch in a nearby town was requiring Korean. Let that sink in for a moment. A teller job, paying probably twelve an hour requires a foreign language. Don't get me started on shipping, logistics, construction/plumbing or virtually any other office sort of job.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, CancelJun 15th, 2017Someone from Sylmar, CA writes:
This affected me as i previously had applied and worked for Food 4 Less in Sylmar, CA. I was one of many applicants who went through their probationary period. Only i was not accepted and given no reason as to not being qualified. Only thing i was not qualified to do is speak to other customers in their language which is (from what i encountered on the job) Spanish. I never witnessed a complaint besides hearing "You'll need to learn Spanish." from co-workers. I enjoyed every second while i was working there while being inspired by my surroundings to continue developing and was content to learn what i was required to learn. Sadly all that got cut short and i don't wanna be coined "Racist" but really nothing was holding me back from that job besides not having proficiency in Spanish and it holds me back from a variety of jobs in my area. Please consider this petition, to allow companies to give potential employee's a legal heads up before getting their hopes up and thrown away. Apologies if my context is not accurately portrayed or would require more examples.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, CancelJun 15th, 2017Someone from Houston, TX signed.
Jun 7th, 2017Someone from El Paso, TX signed.
Jun 7th, 2017Someone from Los Angeles, CA writes:
It's so blatantly used on positions with zero necessity, freely posted without fear of legal repercussion...As always, useless State Democrats only take action when a Republican runs on such issues.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, CancelJun 2nd, 2017Jay P. from San Diego, CA writes:
What is so strange is that foreigners have been emigrating to the United States for many years and there hasn't been a requirement to know any of their languages to get a job. In the past, all immigrants have assimilated while living in the United States by learning English, and you have no choice to learn English if you go to American schools because subjects are taught in English. I have heard older Mexicans say in documentaries that their parents would tell them not to speak Spanish outside of the home because other people would find it offensive and discriminate against them. Now, its okay to speak Spanish on the job when others may not know what you are saying and its okay to ask for employees who are bilingual in Spanish. Why has it changed in the last 10 years with having to know Spanish to get a job? It's absolutely backwards thinking.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, CancelMay 30th, 2017deb c. from Pasco, WA writes:
we need to wash away this Spanish speaking nonsense and take america back...speck English or learn English when you come to americaREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelMay 24th, 2017Someone from Kailua Kona, HI signed.
May 24th, 2017Someone from Calabasas, CA writes:
Fifty years ago, President Jimmy Carter said that educators were refusing to teach Spanish and that it would cost the economy billions of dollars. Director of the CIA, Leon Panetta said the same thing.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, CancelMay 22nd, 2017Someone from Crosby, TX signed.
May 22nd, 2017Someone from Simi Valley, CA writes:
My Son applied for a job at the Habbit a local burger chain in southern California. They have a help wanted sign out so he went in and applied. he is a healthy 20 year old looking for a job. the manager asked what position he was applying for; cook or front counter and he said he would not mind being a cook. the interviewing manager said that he needed to speak Spanish to work as a cook. this is not the store manager this is an area manager because he had to wait for when he would be at the store to interview. so it would lead me to believe this is a corporate thing. he said he would work the register instead then but the phone has not rung and i told him his breath. all of the front counter people are Bilingual and usually calling the orders back in Spanish. this is California and yes there are a lot of Spanish speaking people i work with a lot of people who speak Spanish but speaking Spanish should not be a requirement of being hired. when you only speak Spanish and no English i would have to question if you are even legal but lets face it this is California and nobody will do anything about it. but please lets dispel with the they are doing jobs we don't want to. as this continues where will our children and grandchildren work? or stop teaching English in our schools and only teach Spanish because a high school education inst good enough if you only speak 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
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.