Filipinos at California Hospital File Lawsuit Due to Discrimination over English-Only Rule
Tennessee workers and workers all across the country have certain expectations when they go to work. They expect to be treated with respect and dignity and to be treated fairly. Unfortunately, in many workplaces this does not always happen. Many workers face discrimination based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, and even weight. This is not fair to any employee and it is also against the law. If you feel that you have been discriminated against for any reason while at work, then you should speak with a Tennessee employment lawyer right away. They will hear your case and make sure you get the compensation and respect you deserve.
In this case, fifty-two Filipino nurses and other medical staff filed a lawsuit against their employer, Delano Regional Medical Center, claiming that the hospital banned them from speaking Tagalog and other Filipino languages, even though they still allowed other employees to speak Spanish and Hindi. These workers are hoping to join a complaint filed in August in Kern County over the hospital enforcing a rule that requires their employees to speak English.
In 2006, Filipino workers were called to a meeting and told to speak only English and were also told that surveillance cameras would be installed, if needed, to monitor them. Since the meeting, Filipino workers said they were told on a regular basis to speak only English even on their break time.
Elnora Cayme, who worked for the hospital from 1980 to 2008, stated that, “I felt like people were always watching us, even when we spoke English … people would come and approach us and tell us, ‘English only.’ “According to the lawsuit filed by the EEOC, the hospital in California’s San Joaquin Valley has created a hostile environment for Filipinos to work in by singling them out for punishments and expecting other workers to report them. The workers in this case, are seeking that the English-only rule to be changed, and for staff to be trained on the new rule.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
