sample policies

34 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT DAILY
Other proactive approaches: Consider hiring supervisors who can give directions
and safety instructions in the language most comfortable to the majority of your
employees. Also, consider offering classes in English as a second language (at the work
site or through the local community college). And, finally, provide diversity training for
employees and supervisors to reduce tensions and build understanding.
SAMPLE POLICY
Some employers are implementing English policies such as the one below, posted by a
small manufacturer, whose 11 employees spoke seven different languages:
“English is the working language of our company. If you do not speak English well,
we ask that you make every effort to learn it. We hope that you’ll try to speak English
in the shop as much as possible.”
If your main goal is to ease tensions, consider adding this line:
“However, every employee is expected to treat others with respect in all aspects
of their working relationships. So we urge you not to use your fluency in another
language in any way that may humiliate your fellow employees.”