"When English Is the Rule at Work," The New York Times
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued the Salvation Army for enforcing an English-only rule in 2004, leading to the dismissal of two Spanish-speaking employees. The case, which is pending, has stirred national tension. According to the EEOC, there was no proper legal basis for implementing the rule. The Civil Rights Act requires an organization's English-only rules to be nondiscriminatory and serve a clear business or safety purpose. Littler's Wendy Krincek explains the proper conditions under which an organization may enforce English-only rules. "You've got to show a business necessity," said Krincek.
