Can a supervisor prohibit an employee from speaking a language, other than English, on the job?
A rule requiring that employees speak only English on the job may be illegal unless an employer shows that the requirement is necessary for conducting business. If the employer believes such a rule is necessary, employees must be informed when English is required and the consequences for violating the rule. Therefore, a supervisor may not prohibit employees from speaking a language other than English in the workplace during their breaktimes, lunch periods, or when they are not conducting business.
