Search Results

Latinos have the highest labor force participation of all male worker groups. However, Latinos are overrepresented in high risk, low-skill/low wage work. This overrepresentation is due to low educational attainment or limited English language proficiency as well as other factors, and these limitations negatively affect their chances of moving into high wage jobs. Moreover, some of the workplaces that offer high risk, low skill/low wage jobs to Latinos establish English only rules that prohibit the speaking of any language other than English on the job. Such rules can cause hardship and sometimes injury to employees who do not speak English fluently and do not fully understand written and spoken safety instructions. This is not to say that limited language ability and limited education make Latinos less valuable employees. Rather companies who hire workers with limited skills should provide training especially workplace English as a Second Language classes. These classes can provide the vocabulary and language skills necessary to increase the comprehension of written and spoken instructions. In addition, the authors do not argue against the establishing of English only rules. On the contrary, the authors believe that businesses wishing to establish such rules seek competent legal assistance to ensure their English only rule fulfills the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's criteria that a legitimate business necessity exists that required the creation of the language rule. Furthermore, businesses establishing an English only rule should make every effort to explain to employees why creating this rule is in the businesses' best interest.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less