<div dir="ltr"><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><h1 class="">Whole Foods Softens "English Only" Stance</h1>
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<a class="" href="http://my.fool.com/profile/tmfsymington/info.aspx?source=iapsitlnk0000002"><span content="Steve Symington">Steve Symington</span></a>
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<span class="">June 18, 2013</span>
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<p>Following a <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/06/07/new-mexico-governor-glad-whole-foods-reviewing-lan.aspx" target="_blank">brief uproar</a> less than two weeks ago regarding its language policy, organic grocery specialist <strong>Whole Foods Market</strong> (<span class="">NASDAQ: <a class="" href="http://caps.fool.com/Ticker/WFM.aspx?source=isssitthv0000001">WFM</a></span> <a class="" title="Add WFM to My Watchlist" href="http://my.fool.com/watchlist/add?ticker=WFM&source=iwlsitbut0000010"> </a>) Friday officially softened the previous "English-only" stance outlined in its employee handbook.</p>
<p><strong>Out with the old...</strong><br>The initial incident arose
when two Albuquerque workers claimed they were suspended after
complaining about the policy. Whole Foods management, for their part,
stated that the paid, one-day suspensions didn't actually stem from a
violation of the policy, but instead were the result of "rude" workplace
behavior exhibited by the employees.</p>
<p>Even so, co-CEO Walter Robb noted in a company <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/our-revised-team-member-language-guidelines" target="_blank">blog posting</a>
that the "unfortunate incident" has provided Whole Foods the
opportunity to revise the language of the policy "which, while in place
for years, does not reflect and is not in alignment with the spirit of
this company."</p>
<p>Also in the post, Robb wrote, "On behalf of the Whole Foods Market
Leadership Network ... we sincerely apologize that a section of our
handbook regarding team member interactions in the workplace was not
clearly written, and for any misunderstandings or offense it has
created. Its intention was to foster inclusion, not exclusion."</p>
<p>Sure enough, part of the old policy dictated that English-speaking
workers must speak English to customers and other employees while on the
clock, unless "all present prefer to speak a language other than
English."</p>
<p><strong>...and in with the new</strong><br>By contrast, the respective sections of the new policy state:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If you speak English and you need to communicate with an
English-speaking customer, please speak with them in English, unless
requested otherwise by the customer.</p>
<p>When speaking with customers or fellow Team Members, please make sure
you are sensitive to others who may want to join in your conversation
or ask you a question. If needed, switch to a common language to be
inclusive and respectful.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>What's more, similar to the old policy, employees who don't
understand English are asked to inform a "Team Leader so that
communications may be translated" for them.</p>
<p>Finally, Robb noted that Whole Foods has sent the revised policy to
both the New Mexico LULAC and the American Civil Liberties Union for
their feedback, and intends to "continue [having] conversations with
these organizations."</p>
<p><strong>Foolish final thoughts<br></strong>Seems fair enough; after
all, while Whole Foods' original policy certainly didn't take a hard
line to demand all employees speak English at all times, the company did
quickly realize that the words could be misconstrued, and revised them
to reflect that what they say is the true spirit of the policy.</p>
<p>What's more, it also seems fair to give Whole Foods the benefit of
the doubt considering it's one of only 13 companies to appear on <em>Fortune</em>
magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" every year since the list's
inception in 1998. In addition, you can bet it's in Whole Foods' best
interest to maintain fair diversity policies, considering it also
regularly appears on <em>Fortune</em>'s "Most Diverse" list, with its workforce made up of 44% women and 43% minorities.</p>
<p>But what do you think? Did Whole Foods management do the right thing
here, or was their reaction less than sincere? Feel free to chime in
using the comments section below. </p>
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