[Lgpolicy-list] [lg policy] UK: Welsh will 'never be banned' from stores, says Lidl

[Harold Schiffman]

Welsh will 'never be banned' from stores, says Lidl
[image: A Lidl store] Lidl said it wanted all staff and customers to feel
included
 Continue reading the main story
<http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-29976134#story_continues_1> Related
Stories

   - Lidl sparks 'English only' rule row
   <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-29956188>
   - £1m more for Welsh language centres
   <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-29903419>
   - £1.25m for Welsh language centres
   <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-28662015>

 Lidl supermarket has said the Welsh language had never and "will never" be
banned from its stores after claims staff could only speak English at work.

The firm had said staff should speak English to customers, irrespective of
their native language.

But now it confirmed employees could speak any language customers addressed
them in - including Welsh.

It comes after a row erupted after two employees in Scotland were banned
from speaking Polish on their tea break.

Apologising for the confusion surrounding the use of the Welsh language in
its stores, the company said it had "never and will never 'ban' the use of
the Welsh language at Lidl".

"Nor do we prohibit staff from speaking Welsh to each other," it said.

On Friday the retailer told BBC Welsh-language website Cymru Fyw
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/29968906> its policy for staff to speak in
English was to ensure all its staff and customers "felt comfortable".
'Comfortable environment'

"This is for the benefit of all our customers as well as our staff to
ensure a comfortable environment where all feel included," it said.

The Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Iaith) called the policy
"appalling" and Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws said she would
respond in due course.

On Sunday, however, Lidl UK sought to clarify its language policy, and said
it was a "great asset" to have such a multi-lingual workforce.

It said: "We understand that in certain regions of the UK there are other
official languages in use and we welcome the use of these in our stores. We
also ask that, if possible, our staff respond to customers in the language
in which they are addressed."

"We absolutely aim to empower and encourage any staff members to use their
language skills to assist customers."

It said staff were welcome to speak in their language of choice whilst on
breaks, but asked that they consider colleagues who may be sharing the
facilities.

Lidl UK said it continually reviews its policies and will be considering
all feedback.
More on This Story
Related Stories

   -  Lidl sparks 'English only' rule row
   <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-29956188>
   07 NOVEMBER 2014, WALES
   -  £1m more for Welsh language centres
   <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-29903419>
   04 NOVEMBER 2014, WALES POLITICS
   -  £1.25m for Welsh language centres
   <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-28662015>
   06 AUGUST 2014, WALES POLITICS
   -  Language call on planning laws
   <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-29846655>
   31 OCTOBER 2014, WALES
   -  Mixed prospects for bilingual pupils
   <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-29727935>
   23 OCTOBER 2014, WALES

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-29976134

-- 
**************************************
N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its
members
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)

For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to
https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/
listinfo/lgpolicy-list
*******************************************
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/lgpolicy-list/attachments/20141110/1ca23169/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
_______________________________________________
This message came to you by way of the lgpolicy-list mailing list
lgpolicy-list at groups.sas.upenn.edu
To manage your subscription unsubscribe, or arrange digest format: https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/lgpolicy-list