Legal News

English-only allegations yield settlement for Latino workers

By Richard Binder

A class-action lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Los Angeles resulted in a settlement in favor of Latino workers in California and Texas who were allegedly punished for speaking Spanish in their workplaces.  The lawsuit alleged that Skilled Healthcare Group Inc. and affiliated firms, based in Orange County with facilities in six Western and Southern states, enforced an English-only rule against Latinos but not other ethnic groups and their languages.

Anna Park, the EEOC's regional attorney in Los Angeles, said Latino workers were prohibited from speaking Spanish to Spanish-speaking nursing home residents, disciplined for speaking their native tongue in the parking lot on breaks and subjected to other forms of discrimination and harassment.

Thomas Mackey, the healthcare firm's attorney, disputed the allegations and said the two sides settled the lawsuit without testing the claims as a way to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation.

The lawsuit was part of a growing raft of charges filed nationwide alleging national origin discrimination. In 2008, filings increased to a record high of 10,601, up 13% from the previous year. Among them, 204 filings involved English-only rules, according to EEOC figures.

Workers named in the suit will be granted up to $450,000, free English classes and other relief.

Full story at LA Times.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on April 16, 2009 (boomark / email).