[lg policy] Kansas: Ford County considers English-only

[Harold Schiffman]

   - County considers English-only
   - By Gloria Tucker / Dodge City Daily Globe

   Posted Jan. 5, 2016 at 1:01 AM

   Dodge City, Kan.

   Ford County Commission decided to table an English-only language policy
   that would affect its employees Monday.

   The policy states, "Since many of our citizens and most of our employees
   only are able to speak, write, and understand the English language, all
   County employees must have English proficiency."

   According to the policy, English would be used for all county
   work-related matters, whenever they are engaged in county business unless
   the citizens or others with whom employees are doing business on behalf of
   the County are not English proficient.

   The policy stops short of requiring non-working time, such as work
   breaks and meal periods, as English-only periods.

   "I had request by a couple of department heads for a language policy,"
   said Pat Heeke, human resources administrator. "They were concerned their
   training for their new staff may not be conveyed the way they intended
   because the employees weren't speaking English. I asked for an employment
   law attorney to draft a policy based on the requests I received."

   Heeke said county attorney Glenn Kerbs found the policy legal.

   "He wanted everyone to be advised that English-only policies have to be
   drafted very carefully so we don't give any hint we're trying to
   discriminate in any way, shape or form for equal opportunity," she said.
   "The reason we feel this is okay is our policy is not limiting speaking
   non-English on their non-work time, on break, but the English-only is a
   business necessity. We need to make sure the employees are being trained
   correctly and communicating with patrons with correct information."

   According to the policy, the policy would help maintain workplace
   safety; assure excellent service to the public; assure good employee
   relations by encouraging inclusion and team work within working units or
   crews; and facilitate communication with citizens, employees and others who
   only understand English.

   "Employees who do not comply with this policy are subject to discipline,
   up to and including termination of employment," the policy states.

   Commissioner Danny Gillum said he struggled with the policy because the
   community has 26 different languages spoken.

   Commissioner Shawn Tasset suggested tabling the policy for more thought
   and discussion.

   "I'd like a little more time to think about it," Tasset said. "This has
   philosophical and deeper meaning than just employment policy."

   The commissioners agreed to discuss the policy more during a work
   session.

   In other business, the commissioners approved an electrical service bid
   of $5,204 for the Western State Bank Expo Center's stalls.

   The commissioners also appointed J.D. Gilbert as the Public Information
   Officer for Ford County. The Ford County Emergency Manager is still Ed Elam
   as his certification does not expire until November.

   Bills of $135,729 and mobile device stipend of $80 for the Ford County
   jail lieutenant were also approved.

   - http://www.dodgeglobe.com/article/20160105/NEWS/160109923



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