Fired For Speaking Spanish

[Beethoven's Cricket]

Even though she was hired for speaking spanish in addition to English, she was fired for the same. Stunning.

Quote: Latina Lista is reporting that Ana Mateo, a bilingual school secretary, has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, claiming that her civil rights were violated after she was allegedly fired for continuing to speak Spanish to parents. Local Charlotte station WSOC broke the news:

The lawsuit against Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is now in federal court because a former employee said the CMS violated her civil rights because she spoke Spanish to parents even though she was hired to be the school’s bilingual secretary…

She claims in September of 2008, when a new principal came to the school, a new rule was given to all staff members to not speak Spanish to parents. The lawsuit claims Mateo, a bilingual secretary, continued to speak Spanish to many parents, after all, the school is more than a third Hispanic, well above the district average…Within a month of the alleged new rule, Mateo was told the school accepted her resignation, even though she says she never offered to resign.

Mateo filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which issued a response indicating that there is evidence that supports her allegations. While the school district claims it does not have an official English-only policy, WSOC also found that school staff members were telling parents that they could not even speak Spanish to one another on school grounds.

In the past, the National Education Association (NEA) has slammed English-only initiatives in schools as “government-sanctioned bigotry” that only makes it more “difficult for schools to prepare students for jobs of the future.” A study posted on NEA’s website states that school administrators “must have skills and the means for communicating with Latino parents and enlisting them as allies.” “There is a critical role for teachers and schools in helping parents to support their children’s schooling,” concludes Patricia Gándara of the University of California–Los Angeles.

[BoogyMan]

Violate the rules, lose the job. What is the problem? Does ThinkProgress not have rules for its employee base?

[Pookie]

What does ThinkProgress have to do with the topic? Why do conservatives try to steer others away from the real issue?
Explain that. Thank you.
Purrs,
Pookie

[BoogyMan]

(Feb. 15, 2010 04:06 PM)Pookie Wrote:  What does ThinkProgress have to do with the topic? Why do conservatives try to steer others away from the real issue?
Explain that. Thank you.
Purrs,
Pookie

Poor Pookie, ThinkProgress is making an issue where it seems none exists. If a rule was broken the person will be disciplined. In this case it cost a job.

It is a PART of the issue. Does ThinkProgress not have rules for its employees? Does it not expect them to follow any rules?

[Pookie]

I don't know. You tell me.
Purrs,
Pookie

[Beethoven's Cricket]

(Feb. 14, 2010 10:35 AM)BoogyMan Wrote:  Violate the rules, lose the job. What is the problem? Does ThinkProgress not have rules for its employee base?

(Feb. 15, 2010 05:15 PM)BoogyMan Wrote:  

(Feb. 15, 2010 04:06 PM)Pookie Wrote:  What does ThinkProgress have to do with the topic? Why do conservatives try to steer others away from the real issue?
Explain that. Thank you.
Purrs,
Pookie

Poor Pookie, ThinkProgress is making an issue where it seems none exists. If a rule was broken the person will be disciplined. In this case it cost a job.

It is a PART of the issue. Does ThinkProgress not have rules for its employees? Does it not expect them to follow any rules?

This isn't about ThinkProgress. It's about a woman who was hired to be a bilingual secretary and then fired for speaking Spanish. Explain how that is defensible.

[BoogyMan]

(Feb. 19, 2010 11:35 PM)Beethoven's Cricket Wrote:  

(Feb. 14, 2010 10:35 AM)BoogyMan Wrote:  Violate the rules, lose the job. What is the problem? Does ThinkProgress not have rules for its employee base?

(Feb. 15, 2010 05:15 PM)BoogyMan Wrote:  

(Feb. 15, 2010 04:06 PM)Pookie Wrote:  What does ThinkProgress have to do with the topic? Why do conservatives try to steer others away from the real issue?
Explain that. Thank you.
Purrs,
Pookie

Poor Pookie, ThinkProgress is making an issue where it seems none exists. If a rule was broken the person will be disciplined. In this case it cost a job.

It is a PART of the issue. Does ThinkProgress not have rules for its employees? Does it not expect them to follow any rules?

This isn't about ThinkProgress. It's about a woman who was hired to be a bilingual secretary and then fired for speaking Spanish. Explain how that is defensible.

Was she not told to STOP speaking spanish on the job? If she was not, she should not be fired. If she WAS told to stop, then ThinkProgress is yet again ginning up a story where one does not exist.

[Anon-ey-mouse]

"She claims in September of 2008, when a new principal came to the school, a new rule was given to all staff members to not speak Spanish to parents. The lawsuit claims Mateo, a bilingual secretary, continued to speak Spanish to many parents" That was taken right out of the OP link. Pretty cut and dry imo

[BoogyMan]

(Feb. 20, 2010 01:55 PM)Anon-ey-mouse Wrote:  "She claims in September of 2008, when a new principal came to the school, a new rule was given to all staff members to not speak Spanish to parents. The lawsuit claims Mateo, a bilingual secretary, continued to speak Spanish to many parents" That was taken right out of the OP link. Pretty cut and dry imo

Anon, I would have to agree with your take on this, it seems pretty cut and dried.

[Pookie]

I want to see who else has an idea or a suggestion here?
Something different? Anything?
Purrs,
Pookie