Sat Jul 2 15:13:44 UTC 2016

 'Speak English' Polish factory workers banned from speaking mother tongue
as it 'isolates' EUROPEAN factory workers have been told by bosses to speak
English at all times because they were making other workers feel "isolated
and intimidated" by speaking in their own tongue.
PUBLISHED: 13:55, Sat, Jul 2, 2016 | UPDATED: 14:07, Sat, Jul 2, 2016

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[image: Factory workers]GETTY
Polish factory workers have been told they must speak in English

The new policy
<http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/685569/polish-factory-workers-banned-speaking-mother-tongue-isolates-english#>
has been slammed as "unfair and discriminatory" and is said to be causing
divisions between Polish and Slovakian workers and English employees.

However bosses at medical products factory Orchid Orthopaedic Solutions, in
Sheffield South Yorkshire insists the policy was introduced as "a means to
create harmony at work".
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One English employee
<http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/685569/polish-factory-workers-banned-speaking-mother-tongue-isolates-english#>,
who didn't wish to be named, said the policy is believed to be introduced
after a staff member complained about Polish workers speaking to each other
in their own language.

Staff have now been forced into signing new versions of the company's rules
which includes the language policy.

[image: Orchid Orthopaedic Solutions, in Sheffield South Yorkshire]GOOGLE
The policy has come into effect at Orchid Orthopaedic Solutions, in
Sheffield South Yorkshire

The worker said: "I feel the company has escalated the problem and turned a
small situation into a big one rather than assessing the cause of the
problem.

I find it unfair and discriminatory

A worker

"If two Polish guys are conversing it's going to be much quicker for them
to get their job done.

“There's a lot of Polish and Slovakian workers - I find it unfair and
discriminatory."

A spokesman for Orchid said: "We are a multi-cultural employer
<http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/685569/polish-factory-workers-banned-speaking-mother-tongue-isolates-english#>
although English is obviously the common language.

[image: Factory workers]GETTY
Bosses say the policy was introduced to 'create harmony'

“In the past we have had situations where individuals have felt isolated
and intimidated when working alongside colleagues with different ethnic
backgrounds who are speaking in their mother tongue.

"In order for the workforce to feel comfortable at work we ask that during
working times everyone speaks English.

"This would not be considered a disciplinary issue but is simply a means to
create harmony at work."

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/685569/polish-factory-workers-banned-speaking-mother-tongue-isolates-english

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