‘Speak English’ Polish factory workers banned from speaking mother tongue as it ‘isolates’

EUROPEAN factory workers have been told by bosses to speak English at all times because they were making other workers feel "isolated and intimidated" by speaking in their own tongue.

The new policy has been slammed as "unfair and discriminatory" and is said to be causing divisions between Polish and Slovakian workers and English employees.

However bosses at medical products factory Orchid Orthopaedic Solutions, in Sheffield South Yorkshire insists the policy was introduced as "a means to create harmony at work".

One English employee, who didn't wish to be named, said the policy is believed to be introduced after a staff member complained about Polish workers speaking to each other in their own language.

Staff have now been forced into signing new versions of the company's rules which includes the language policy.

The worker said: "I feel the company has escalated the problem and turned a small situation into a big one rather than assessing the cause of the problem.

I find it unfair and discriminatory
A worker
"If two Polish guys are conversing it's going to be much quicker for them to get their job done. 

“There's a lot of Polish and Slovakian workers — I find it unfair and discriminatory."

A spokesman for Orchid said: "We are a multi-cultural employer although English is obviously the common language. 

“In the past we have had situations where individuals have felt isolated and intimidated when working alongside colleagues with different ethnic backgrounds who are speaking in their mother tongue.

"In order for the workforce to feel comfortable at work we ask that during working times everyone speaks English.

"This would not be considered a disciplinary issue but is simply a means to create harmony at work."