Should a Person Speak English to Work for the City? (employment, degree)

[crankywithakeyboard]

I don't work for the city but we used to be owned by them and still have to watch some of their training videos. This is a very, very large Southern city. I was amazed when we were watching an environmental policies video and the supervisor was speaking to his subordinate in Spanish. Is English-speaking ability a requirement for working for cities? I thought it would be. Not trying to start an English language debate but just found this really strange.

[thebunny]

I think it depends on whether or not they either speak enough English to do the job, or if not speaking English is actually an issue.

[myrc60]

I would hope so. If they don't speak English then I would expect there to be a language barrier with many of the residents. However, with the influx of Spanish speakers, bilingual is probably more acceptable.

[texdav]

I think it shuld be a requiremnt as mcuh as be a spinish interpreter means speaking both.

[MrRational]

I can't think of any (municipal or other) jobs that shouldn't require a basic level of verbal English.
For safety reasons alone there are 100 or more words that MUST be understood.

Beyond this most menial of shovel and broom, no contact with the public level...
a far greater degree of English proficiency should be required.

[queenofny26]

If they are in America then its only but right.....

[ashleybryant87]

I definitely find it irritating. Being bilingual is one thing, but using Spanish in a training video is ridiculous!

[bs13690]

Why does someone filling potholes or some other manual labor job need to speak English? While English is the de facto "official" language, why should the government require it for all employment? I could see English as a requirement for someone who has to interact with the public.

I do think it should be a requirement for the person to at least be an American citizen.

I'm surprised the debate hasn't started already. Saying you are not trying to start an English language debate with this thread is like lighting a whole box of matches in your kitchen and saying you are not trying to burn the house down.

[Squirl]

In our democratic society, I think the vote should decide. I must admit to my personal belief that if one takes residence in a country and receives income there, s/he should speak the language the voters have decided is the "official" language. However, I don't believe Texas has signed on to the "English First" movement so in Texas a city worker who has a job that doesn't require any communication maybe shouldn't have to be fluent in English beyond knowing the few English words needed to accomplish the job.

States | English First

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by bs13690

Saying you are not trying to start an English language debate with this thread is like lighting a whole box of matches in your kitchen and saying you are not trying to burn the house down.

Very "rep-able" comment!