Immigration Solicitors

Workers at the distribution centre of arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft have been banned from speaking any other language apart from English – or face being sacked.

The warehouse of the arts and craft company is based in Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire and Hobbycraft has advised migrant workers at the company that the company policy is for employees only to speak English while at work. Workers can converse in their own language in the canteen, however.

Hobbycraft says that the policy is intended to promote a “good working environment” at the distribution centre.

Human resources director for Hobbycraft, Chris Fenlon, said:

“Having the ability to speak English is part of the recruitment criteria in our distribution centre.

“However, within the social areas colleagues can speak all languages.

“Therefore, we do ask that during working hours in the warehouse, colleagues speak English. This is to create a good working environment where all colleagues can communicate effectively.”

An unnamed worker from Poland called the policy “silly”, however – and employment lawyers are warning that the Hobbycraft policy could be illegal and constitute indirect racial discrimination.

It is alleged workers were called into the canteen at the distribution centre and warned that speaking foreign languages in the warehouse could result in them being sacked.

However, an English speaking worker at the distribution centre said:

“It might sound daft, but it can create problems when people are speaking different languages.”

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