Why Does One Need To Speak Polish So As To Obtain A Decorators Job?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/643324/Economic-migrants-to-be-favoured-for-work-AHEAD-of-jobless-Britons?_ga=1.153079929.1972918048.1449042186

/// One advert on the Universal Jobmatch site stressed it was “essential” an experienced painter and decorator was able to converse in Polish. ///

We should demand that all workers should first speak fluent English, but then that would be of no use to those employers who want a pool of EU cheap labour.

No wonder most of business want to stay in the EU.

[andy-hughes]

One doesn't.

If you read the feature carefully, you will see that only one advert refers to it being 'essential' to speak another language, and on the basis of the job offered, that clearly transgresses legal restrictions on the wording of adverts.

But the rest infer that it would be an advantage, and that is not illegal.

It is biased, undesirable, prejudicial and morally wrong, but it is not illegal.

[youngmafbog]

True, but Aog didnt say they were illegal.

I think its a ruddy disgrace.

Time to get OUT!

[andy-hughes]

YMB - //True, but Aog didnt say they were illegal. //

He didn't, but his OP refers to needing to speak Polish to get a decorators job - only in an illegal advert is that the case - the rest of the instances that make up the feature do not make such requests.

[youngmafbog]

If someone advertises inferring or stating it is an advantage then you can bet your bottom dollar those employed will match the criteria.

[jackthehat]

At first glance, it does seem to be discriminatory.
But without additional details it's difficult to tell.
Perhaps the owner of the Painting and Decorating business is a successful Pole who doesn't speech much English and would prefer to have staff who can follow his instructions?

[andy-hughes]

YMB - //If someone advertises inferring or stating it is an advantage then you can bet your bottom dollar those employed will match the criteria. //

Indeed - and that is grossly unfair, but sadly, it is not illegal.

[Svejk]

///who doesn't speech much English ///

I can see that being a problem. ;)

[naomi24]

//his OP refers to needing to speak Polish to get a decorators job - only in an illegal advert is that the case//

I'm pretty sure it's not illegal to advertise for an employee who speaks a particular language. Many jobs require a knowledge of other languages. In this instance the illegal bit would be if the jobs are limited to Romanians, Poles etc., only - and I can't see that the adverts state that.

[agchristie]

You could say its a prime example of nonsense...

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - //I'm pretty sure it's not illegal to advertise for an employee who speaks a particular language. Many jobs require a knowledge of other languages. In this instance the illegal bit would be if the jobs are limited to Romanians, Poles etc., only - and I can't see that the adverts state that. //

Indeed - and it may be that a native Polish speaker - or any other applicant who is multi-lingual - as a lot of immigrant workers are - would be given the job on that basis.

But that would be impossible to prove.

[jackthehat]

I'm mangling my posts in recent days.....I can't even blame it on the ginger jam sandwich I dropped on my keyboard which has left me with sticky (very sticky) H and N keys.... :o(

[youngmafbog]

True Naomi but most jobs requiring foreign languages are for jobs communicating with people in other countries, such as in Banks or call centers.

Not sure how it can be applied to a Painter!

[andy-hughes]

Svejk - /////who doesn't speech much English ///

jack's predictive text doesn't for one!!

[Gromit]

I suppose if many of the team of decorators are Polish, then the ability to converse with colleagues makes that language essential.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/tradesmen-labour-jobs/painter-and-decorator/1154439098

There are many jobs advertised that require a foreign language to be spoken. That does not make the advert illegal or discriminatory.

http://www.indeed.co.uk/cmp/IRONFX-Global-UK-Limited/jobs/Polish-Speaking-9639e5764f877da1?q=Polish+Speaking+Trading

We live in a Global economy, and London is a multi lingual city.

[naomi24]

youngmafbog, I imagine the other painters are Polish and therefore there is a need for new recruits to be able to communicate.

[youngmafbog]

Maybe if they employed a native speaker they could learn the local lingo and reduce the need for expensive interpreters if they need Plod or the NHS etc.

Mind you London so I suppose local lingo would exclude most of you on here!

[naomi24]

//Mind you London so I suppose local lingo would exclude most of you on here! //

Haha! I'm a Londoner but I confess some of the 'local' lingo posted on here baffles even me!!

[andy-hughes]

allen - //Not that it matters, //

The subject of inference is on another thread so you're right - it doesn't matter.

[stuey]

It might simplify matters if the ad was worded "Applicants must be bilingual in English and Polish.".