English in the Work Place: Common Sense

“Common sense is not so common,” once said philosopher Voltaire. One of the greatest concerns for my constituents is the growing scarcity of common sense in government. People have begun to lose faith in Washington because even the seemingly obvious course of action too often gets bogged down with paradoxical regulations and political correctness. No greater evidence is needed than the current push by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to stifle the use of the English language in American workplaces.

The EEOC currently has a discrimination lawsuit pending against the Salvation Army. The alleged discrimination was simply requiring their employees to speak English while on the job. This stunningly reasonable policy has landed this charity in court facing federal retribution.
This unjust litigation serves as an example that rational thought is under assault. American employers should not fear penalty for operating their business in our founding and principle language. As it has for centuries, proficiency in English remains essential for sustained success and prosperity in America.

Sadly, the Salvation Army lawsuit is not an isolated case. Five employees at a sheet metal plant in Connecticut sued their employer for having a “Common Language Policy.” The policy was instituted only during working hours and for safety concerns.

In 2000, the EEOC won a case against a bankrupt operator service for instituting an English-only workplace rule. The EEOC went after the company after it had already declared bankruptcy and took them for another $700,000.

English is a part of the fundamental structure of our economy and helps keep our commerce moving. Throughout the history of the United States, English has been a common thread to unify the American people much as we are united under one flag. To become a citizen, the U.S. government requires the ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. It is absurd to tell an American business owner that the same requirement may not be applied to the workplace.
To protect against senseless litigation, I have introduced the Common Sense English Act. This legislation would amend current law so that it is NOT an unlawful employment practice for an employer to require workers to speak English while engaged in work activities. Simply, it gives employers the freedom to operate their business in English as they see fit.

At a time of serious challenges, it is deeply troubling that our federal government is working to undermine the principles upon which we do agree. We should not be spending precious resources in defiance of the will of the American people to sue employers who promote English in the workplace.

The English language has always been fundamental to our unity and vital to the American marketplace. While we celebrate the diverse background of the American people, we must not discourage the promotion of our national identity. Common sense dictates that we allow the use of our common language in the workplace.

Congressman Tom Price (R) represents Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District, including all of North Fulton County.