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By
<a href="http://www.mystatesman.com/staff/brian-gaar/">Brian Gaar</a>
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American-Statesman Staff</p>
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<a href="http://www.mystatesman.com/business/after-pressure-from-activists-whole-foods-changes-employee-language-policy/StELYF5URQFF0l4LAZzTeP/#comments" class="gmail-cm-share gmail-cm-story-comments">
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<p>
Posted: 6:52 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2013</p>
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<p>After an outcry from activists over an alleged “English-only”
policy for Whole Foods Market employees, company officials said Friday
they have revised the company’s language guidelines.</p><p>Last month,
two employees at a Whole Foods store in Albuquerque, N.M., said they
were suspended after complaining about being told they couldn’t speak
Spanish to each other while on the job.</p>
<p>A Whole Foods employee subsequently told an Associated Press
reporter that employees must speak English to customers and other
employees.</p><p>The incident prompted protests from ProgressNow New
Mexico, a Albuquerque advocacy group. Activists presented a petition to
Whole Foods’ Austin headquarters on Thursday, calling on the company to
change its policy.</p><p>In a blog post on the Whole Foods website on
Friday, co-CEO Walter Robb said that the two New Mexico employees were
suspended for a day with pay for behavior reasons, not for speaking
Spanish.</p><p>However, Robb apologized “that a section of our handbook
regarding (employee) interactions in the workplace was not clearly
written, and for any misunderstandings or offense it has created.”</p><p>Previously,
the company’s guidelines instructed employees: “If you speak English
and are in the presence of customers, it is essential that the
conversation be in English.”</p><p>It also stated: “If you speak English
and are in the presence of (employees), it is essential that the
conversation be in English any time you are on the clock and discussing
work-related tasks or subjects.”</p><p>That policy, while in place for years, “does not reflect and is not in alignment with the spirit of this company,” Robb said.</p><p>The updated policy now states:</p><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
(employees), please make sure you are sensitive to others who may want
to join your conversation or ask you a question. If needed, switch to a
common language to be inclusive and respectful.”</p><p>Activists hailed the change as a victory.</p><p>“We
are thankful that the company listened to its customers and was willing
to revise its policies to reflect the growing diversity of our
communities,” said Pat Davis, executive director of ProgressNow New
Mexico.</p><p><a href="http://www.mystatesman.com/business/after-pressure-from-activists-whole-foods-changes-employee-language-policy/StELYF5URQFF0l4LAZzTeP/">http://www.mystatesman.com/business/after-pressure-from-activists-whole-foods-changes-employee-language-policy/StELYF5URQFF0l4LAZzTeP/</a><br></p><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/" target="_blank">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
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