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A group of Hispanic custodians at the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver are claiming they are victims of discrimination.
They’ve filed a complaint against the campus operator that could be reviewed by a federal judge.
“Too many things have happened to me there that I don’t even know how to explain it,” said Auraria custodian Bertha Ribota.
Ribota said she was injured at work because she couldn’t read a warning sign that was in English. “If I could speak English I wouldn’t have the problems that exist,” said Ribota.
“What is sort of a neutral business practice, that they speak English on campus and it’s an English-only campus has a discriminatory impact on this group of workers,” said attorney Tim Markham.
When asked if it was a problem those employees were not being informed of those things in their native language, campus spokesman Blaine Nickeson replied, “I don’t know if that’s a problem. I think it’s one of the concerns. I will go on to say there’s not a statute to translate.”
There shouldn't be a Law.
Campus operators said there is no state law requiring complete translations. It is standard at other universities in Colorado.
Campus operators said there is no state law requiring complete translations. It is standard at other universities in Colorado.
Originally posted by intrepid
Campus operators said there is no state law requiring complete translations. It is standard at other universities in Colorado.
Sounds like it's a common practice to have warnings translated but these guys got caught with their pants down.
Originally posted by LeatherNLace
The injured worker has a legitimate case. OSHA regulations require that warning signs be posted in both English AND Spanish. Like it or not, there are people who do not speak English and are hired by the employer with full knowledge that there is a language barrier. This is the employers fault for hiring non-English speaking workers and/or not providing the required warning signs.edit on 10-5-2013 by LeatherNLace because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by ElohimJD
They are being sued for breaking no laws, when hired, these employees understood this campus is English only.
Originally posted by DistantRumor
reply to post by guohua
If an organization is going to hire people that don't speak English, then it is their responsibility that they are still safe in the work place.
No one forced them to hire these people who don't speak English, it was their choice. And since it was their choice, it is their duty to ensure their safety and that includes providing warning signs in the language of the people they decide to hire.
Originally posted by DistantRumor
reply to post by guohua
If an organization is going to hire people that don't speak English, then it is their responsibility that they are still safe in the work place.
No one forced them to hire these people who don't speak English, it was their choice. And since it was their choice, it is their duty to ensure their safety and that includes providing warning signs in the language of the people they decide to hire.
Originally posted by hounddoghowlie
for all those that say the company didn't have to hire these spanish speaking people, what would you say if they got sued for discrimination, for not hiring hispanic workers, that don't speak english.
Originally posted by abecedarian
OSHA signage regulations.
Nowhere does it specify language.
1910.145(f)(4)(iv)
The signal word and the major message shall be understandable to all employees who may be exposed to the identified hazard.
Originally posted by hounddoghowlie
for all those that say the company didn't have to hire these spanish speaking people, what would you say if they got sued for discrimination, for not hiring hispanic workers, that don't speak english.
Originally posted by LeatherNLace
The injured worker has a legitimate case. OSHA regulations require that warning signs be posted in both English AND Spanish. Like it or not, there are people who do not speak English and are hired by the employer with full knowledge that there is a language barrier. This is the employers fault for hiring non-English speaking workers and/or not providing the required warning signs.edit on 10-5-2013 by LeatherNLace because: (no reason given)
"Voluntary Use of Bilingual Signage
While OSHA does not mandate that signs be posted in both English and Spanish, it does require that workers be informed and educated about workplace hazards in an effective manner, which could include bilingual signage, according to one OSHA official. Even without an explicit rule, many companies are choosing to post signs in both languages because they have such a high number of Hispanic employees.
Read more at: www.graphicproducts.com..."
Originally posted by LeatherNLace
Originally posted by ElohimJD
They are being sued for breaking no laws, when hired, these employees understood this campus is English only.
You do realize that there is a difference between a criminal case (law broken) and a civil lawsuit (negligence). The employer interviewed the employee prior to the hiring. Obviously the employee didn't know that the campus was "English only", because someone hired him. The employer knew there was a language barrier. The employer failed to provide warning signs in the employees spoken language. That is what we call negligence. Negligence is not necessarily a crime, but it certainly is grounds for a lawsuit.
edit on 10-5-2013 by LeatherNLace because: (no reason given)