Federal rules generally prohibit employers from implementing English-only requirements.  But Senate Republicans recently succeeded in passing a measure that would prevent the EEOC from filing lawsuits to enforce those rules.

The bill’s sponsor, Lamar Alexander, a Republican from Tennessee, argues that employers should be free to require employees to communicate in English.  “One way to make sure that we have a . . . little more unity that is our country’s greatest accomplishment is to make certain that we value our common language,” Alexander said.

House Democrats and others attacked the proposed lawsuit ban, arguing that it will lead to increased discrimination.  Members of the Hispanic Caucus called Alexander’s amendment ”unnecessary language,” asserting that Title VII already allows employers to impose English-only rules where there is a legitimate business need.

We wanted to find out what you think, so our latest poll asked:  Should employers be allowed to impose English-only rules in the workplace?

Here’s how you responded.  It was a virtual dead-heat.

• 47% of you said:  Yes, but only if English is absolutely required for safety or other reasons.
• 46% of you said:  Yes, English-only rules are fine even though there’s no clear safety or other justification.
• 7% of you said:  No.

In other words — reflecting the divisiveness of the congressional debates – half of you are content with the current state of the law while the other half (like Alexander) wants a more aggressive approach.  Very interesting.

Stay tuned and thanks for expressing yourselves!