NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Alexander Tries Again On Bill To Allow English-Only Policies

Alexander Tries Again On Bill To Allow English-Only Policies

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander will try again to pass legislation that lets companies ban workers from speaking any language other than English in the workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission spokesman David Grinberg said companies already can require workers to speak English when talking to customers or co-workers, but sometimes they try to punish workers for speaking another language in the break room or while on the phone with a relative.

The commission occasionally files suit against employers with these blanket English-only policies.

Alexander's Protection of English in the Workplace Act would prevent the commission from getting involved in language discrimination suits.

Alexander, who is running for re-election, said not allowing employers to make English-only rules devalues the language and hurts the country.

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