http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29956188

You can't use your native tongue - what could possibly go wrong?

It makes sense to ensure that all the staff can speak the language used by the majority of customers but I would have said that good customer service requires a bit of common sense flexibility - if the member of staff recognises the customer wants to speak in their native tongue and they can do so back then just do it.

I do however have some sympathy with the stipulation about using English in staff only areas - speaking a different language that excludes other members of staff does naff all to help inclusivity and can generate resentment and a hostile working environment.

Given that they were caught spying on German staff using cameras and microphones hidden in the staff areas of their shops, it might be that the people on the other end of the microphones don't understand Polish or Welsh...

I appreciate what you mean in your last paragraph, the thought had crossed my mind too. But it's all based on assumption short of bringing in an interpreter, and I don't think that trumps the right to speak the language you're most comfortable with. Especially when it's not a customer situation.

I can understand a company stating its language will be X for its internal documentation communication etc. how ever it seems sensible to me that when in a customer facing situation if you have the relevant language skills they should be utilised.

For staff areas, surely who cares what language the staff use to talk to friends in back of house areas.

Hilton international hotels have the corporate language as English, but endeavour to match the guests own language with language skills amongst the staff. Providing localisation, to guests home language, where ever possible.

It does sound daft at first.
But them my wife used to work at Boots at Heathrow. All the other staff talked to each other in urdu and she felt left out and isolated as a result. It's that sort of thing that makes many companies insist on staff speaking English as it's the one language everyone working here should be able to speak.
In this case I think English and Welsh should be allowed as they both national languages of that country.

I had the same problem in my previous company. me and 5 italians guys. Days could go past when noone would talk to me. Legally discoverable info would be filed in Italian.
So I left

Think yourself lucky... I live in Manchester! In fairness, most of what is said "kind of" resembles English

but you chose to move to Manchester I did not move to Italy

Does anytone chose to move to manchester

Lots of students do, for some reason. I've never understood it personally.

Yep, I did choose to move to Manchester. Can't complain really, as it's pretty much the same as everywhere else I've lived in the past, but with more northerners.

@jon The same reason lots of people go to London. They hear it's a cool place, with streets that are paved with gold etc... The truth is often very different.

paved with chips surely

The streets of Manchester are currently paved with rain. This is their usual state.


'Appen.