The Health Sciences Centre recently issued a memo to staff members, informing them they’re only to speak English, except in designated areas.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said that while the memo was new, the policy itself requiring workers to speak only English while on duty at WRHA facilities has been in place for a few years.
“It is critical. We received complaints from patients and patients’ families and often other co-workers about the feeling of exclusivity when you’re not speaking in a language everyone can understand,” said Karen Clearwater from the WRHA.
A notice about the respectful workplace policy’s language requirement was recently posted on bulletin boards, reminding workers what the policy is and that failure to follow it may result in a formal discussion in human resources.
Preeth Kainth, an HSC employee, said the English-only policy does make sense in front of patients, but suggests it shouldn’t be a concern when patients aren’t around.
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” said Kainth.
CTV News spoke with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission Monday about the policy.
“If the employer can prove this is an essential requirement, then of course we would not have any concerns,” said Yvonne Peters, vice chair of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.
The Manitoba Human Rights Commission said it’s never had a language complaint go through the entire formal procedure, but it feels that could change in the future.
The WRHA said it has never had to formally discipline an employee for speaking a language other than English.
Officials said the WRHA has, however, spoken with employees to remind them about the policy and why they must follow it.
