English-Only Workplace Policy

Description

California law protects workers from illegal English-only policies in the workplace. If you’ve been disciplined, demoted, or terminated for speaking another language, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Contact the Dolan Law Firm in San Francisco or at any of our California offices to discuss your case with an attorney.

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In this section, we're going to talk about whether or not an employer can require someone to speak English only. California law, Government Code Section 12951 makes it illegal for an employer to require that only English be spoken in a workplace. Employers can't ban the speaking of a language other than English and demand only that English be spoken unless there is a legitimate business necessity. If certain parts of a job necessitate that only English be spoken, an employer has to give notice to the employees when English is required. An employee cannot be disciplined, demoted, or terminated for speaking another language in the workplace. If someone is retaliated, demoted, or terminated, they have the right to bring legal action to recover both economic damages for the loss of their wages, as well as non-economic damages for things such as emotional distress, anxiety, and humiliation. If you or someone you know has been affected by an illegal English-only policy, give us a call at the Dolan Law Firm, dolanlawfirm.com.

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Christopher B. Dolan leads a team of attorneys in Los Angeles, Oakland, Redondo Beach, and San Francisco, representing personal injury, discrimination, and employment law cases. We are the best lawyers we hope you’ll never need. Our successful courtroom cases have resulted in our recognition for excellence by: 

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