Primary Language for Staff

[Sara 0]

I'm in west Texas, and the primary language is English although the majority of our staff is of Hispanic origin. Today, something came up .... we were in a meeting (conducted in English) and some of the staff began speaking Spanish. This is not a rare occurrence. I piped up and said that it's rude to speak a language not understood by all in the meeting. Of course a big hooha ensued, and some of the staff (people who enjoy stirring up trouble) continued it into the main area by speaking to staff members that were NOT in the meeting and. Oh ... the meeting was attended by the Attending Physician and Department Heads, no floor staff. From that point on, I (more me than others because I spoke out) was treated shabbily. I've since spoken to the Admin. about it, explaining that I have no problem when speaking to Spanish-speaking residents or family, I don't even have an issue if the Spanish-speaking staff members speak in Spanish in the break room, whether I'm in there or not ... it's just rude and inappropriate in a meeting.

 

Is there a state regulation regarding this? I've heard there is from other staff addressing whether or not to speak out in Spanish in front of English speaking residents/family and that we can get a citation for it, but I'm not sure about in staff.

 

My Admin. said she'll take care of this so it doesn't get blown up too big (she was out of the office during this situation).

 

Truly, I don't think I'm being unreasonable .... I do speak languages other than Spanish, and make certain that if I'm speaking another language that I include others by speaking Language A and then translating it ino English for other listeners.

 

Any help or suggestions?

[mizncg8r 0]

I'm in west Texas, and the primary language is English although the majority of our staff is of Hispanic origin. Today, something came up .... we were in a meeting (conducted in English) and some of the staff began speaking Spanish. This is not a rare occurrence. I piped up and said that it's rude to speak a language not understood by all in the meeting. Of course a big hooha ensued, and some of the staff (people who enjoy stirring up trouble) continued it into the main area by speaking to staff members that were NOT in the meeting and. Oh ... the meeting was attended by the Attending Physician and Department Heads, no floor staff. From that point on, I (more me than others because I spoke out) was treated shabbily. I've since spoken to the Admin. about it, explaining that I have no problem when speaking to Spanish-speaking residents or family, I don't even have an issue if the Spanish-speaking staff members speak in Spanish in the break room, whether I'm in there or not ... it's just rude and inappropriate in a meeting.

 

Is there a state regulation regarding this? I've heard there is from other staff addressing whether or not to speak out in Spanish in front of English speaking residents/family and that we can get a citation for it, but I'm not sure about in staff.

 

My Admin. said she'll take care of this so it doesn't get blown up too big (she was out of the office during this situation).

 

Truly, I don't think I'm being unreasonable .... I do speak languages other than Spanish, and make certain that if I'm speaking another language that I include others by speaking Language A and then translating it ino English for other listeners.

 

Any help or suggestions?

[mizncg8r 0]

I'm in west Texas, and the primary language is English although the majority of our staff is of Hispanic origin. Today, something came up .... we were in a meeting (conducted in English) and some of the staff began speaking Spanish. This is not a rare occurrence. I piped up and said that it's rude to speak a language not understood by all in the meeting. Of course a big hooha ensued, and some of the staff (people who enjoy stirring up trouble) continued it into the main area by speaking to staff members that were NOT in the meeting and. Oh ... the meeting was attended by the Attending Physician and Department Heads, no floor staff. From that point on, I (more me than others because I spoke out) was treated shabbily. I've since spoken to the Admin. about it, explaining that I have no problem when speaking to Spanish-speaking residents or family, I don't even have an issue if the Spanish-speaking staff members speak in Spanish in the break room, whether I'm in there or not ... it's just rude and inappropriate in a meeting.

 

Is there a state regulation regarding this? I've heard there is from other staff addressing whether or not to speak out in Spanish in front of English speaking residents/family and that we can get a citation for it, but I'm not sure about in staff.

 

My Admin. said she'll take care of this so it doesn't get blown up too big (she was out of the office during this situation).

 

Truly, I don't think I'm being unreasonable .... I do speak languages other than Spanish, and make certain that if I'm speaking another language that I include others by speaking Language A and then translating it ino English for other listeners.

 

Any help or suggestions?

 

yuppers, hey from florida,

it is a dignity, rights issue. You cannot speak another laungage in frot of residents (happens here alot). Our staff is spanish, creole and hatian. we were tagged for this in April.

Tracy

[Pennie 26]

yuppers, hey from florida,

it is a dignity, rights issue. You cannot speak another laungage in frot of residents (happens here alot). Our staff is spanish, creole and hatian. we were tagged for this in April.

Tracy

 

Hi

You are asking about a reg for staff not res correct? I do not know about the regs for staff. However it is very rude for staff to do this & it is also rude that they are conversing to each other while a meeting is going on & someone is speaking. If they were called upon to answer a question from the speaker then she/he should have corrected them at that point saying they should speak in english. It sounds like the Admin needs to address this problem & establish some policy/procedures about this. As far as them treating you this way, they are acting childish there is always plenty of these at every facility. The other dept heads should stand by you & ifi they hear their staff gossiping about this & making a problem out of this it should be addressed by them rigth then & now. Morale is a hugh part of having good staff & letting any staff gossip & treat a dept head this way is a way to start a really bad morale problem. Like teh Admin says befoer this becomes to big of a problem she really needs to head this off & I suggest that she does this in a dept head meeting, making sure everyone knows that this type of behavior will not be tolerated!

So good for you!! Pennie