Navigating Language Policies in Multilingual Workplaces: Insights and Best Practices

Sir, my organization has a clause that requires everyone to speak English; no regional language is allowed. Can they force a language? Will my right to speak my national language get curtailed? The said firm is a BPO.

Hi,

Needless to say, your BPO must have multilingual employees to maintain uniformity and prevent any accidents. Such steps are perhaps taken for this reason. However, I think you can suggest a communication pattern for unofficial matters. Also, try to understand the basic reasons behind such clauses and please interact with HR.

Lastly, I would like to say, as far as languages are concerned, it cannot be made mandatory. But yes, HR needs to counsel people to spread and maintain a good culture.

Regards,
Rupesh

Hi Singh,

It's great that your company has taken a step forward by implementing a clause to enhance employee communication. However, you should not enforce this clause by imposing penalties or affecting an employee's pay/salary.

If you notice any employees conversing in a regional language during office hours, you can simply remind them about the communication policy.

Regards,
Deepak

If the terms and conditions of employment contain a clause that you should speak only English, then you will have to follow it because it is expected that you have joined the establishment after accepting this particular clause of employment also. It is not just salary, weekly off, holidays, or working hours that are applicable to an employee; everything in the employment manual is applicable. The case would be different if the management insists you to speak English (or any language) after your joining and without taking all employees into confidence.

Madhu.T.K

Mr. Madhu TK has "hit the nail on the head." Could you kindly clarify the situation.

One of the reasons for such a requirement in a multilingual country is to curb our tendency to speak in our mother tongue, even in the presence of persons who are from other regions that do not understand the language. I have found this "annoying" and "disrespectful" habit when we have invited people for parties.

Is the National Language your mother tongue?

Dear friend,

The use of language in the workplace is not normally compulsory during one-on-one conversations. However, in a BPO setting, you have no choice but to speak a language that your customers are familiar with. This requirement is part of the service conditions. In all fairness, there is nothing wrong with enforcing this strictly in the workplace. You cannot claim it to be your birthright or the language of your state or mother tongue. If you want the job, try to be like a Roman in Rome.

Kumar S.

There is nothing wrong for management to communicate with its employees to follow one pattern of language as a medium, and I welcome that. If every individual speaks in their language of choice, then uniformity is not maintained.

When office circulars, inter-office correspondences, and office orders are all in English, why not insist on English as the language in a common platform? When someone is habituated to speaking in Hindi, Tamil, or another vernacular, they may continue communicating in the same way when others are nearby without realizing that the other person may not understand their language. This could give the impression to a third person that these two individuals want to hide something from them, although that may not be the case.

Furthermore, every language has its own accent. You cannot imagine something in Hindi and convey it in English. If someone practices speaking in Tamil at the office and suddenly needs to switch to English, they may end up speaking "Tanglish," struggling to use the correct vocabulary. While this may be acceptable within a small group, imagine if such individuals need to present to an elite group of people from abroad – they represent the company, not just themselves.

Additionally, why must someone view this as a "forceful" activity? Practice makes perfect. One can see this situation as a positive opportunity to sharpen and hone their English speaking skills. It all depends on the individual's mental framework.

V. Balaji