quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri

I have to wonder how these people got hired in the first place. If they can't communicate in the predominate () language, how did they get through the interviews?

quote:

ORIGINAL: tj444

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri
I have to wonder how these people got hired in the first place. If they can't communicate in the predominate () language, how did they get through the interviews?

they were breathing??? Lets face it, with a wage of $7.50/hr they are looking for someone that will accept that wage and stick around for as long as possible to keep turnover as low as they can..
I also expect they might have an employee incentive to bring/refer new potential employees to open positions, and some of the managers likely are bilingual (to be able to solve problems in both languages & train/direct employees in both languages)..

• A Conservative interpretation of the US Constitution
  
• Personal Responsibility
  
• Help for the truly needy
  
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri

quote:

ORIGINAL: tj444

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri
I have to wonder how these people got hired in the first place. If they can't communicate in the predominate () language, how did they get through the interviews?

they were breathing??? Lets face it, with a wage of $7.50/hr they are looking for someone that will accept that wage and stick around for as long as possible to keep turnover as low as they can..
I also expect they might have an employee incentive to bring/refer new potential employees to open positions, and some of the managers likely are bilingual (to be able to solve problems in both languages & train/direct employees in both languages)..

That still doesn't solve the problem the employer is likely to have by hiring those who can't communicate effectively with the likely customer, though. An employer should be looking at that, too. Lack of ability to communicate effectively with the likely customer should prevent an employer from hiring a person who is likely to be required to effectively communicate with the likely customer, even if the manager is bilingual and has no problem communicating.

Now, it's possible that jlf isn't the likely customer in that store, and that the cashier is quite adept at communicating with the likely customer.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tj444

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri

quote:

ORIGINAL: tj444

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri
I have to wonder how these people got hired in the first place. If they can't communicate in the predominate () language, how did they get through the interviews?

they were breathing??? Lets face it, with a wage of $7.50/hr they are looking for someone that will accept that wage and stick around for as long as possible to keep turnover as low as they can..
I also expect they might have an employee incentive to bring/refer new potential employees to open positions, and some of the managers likely are bilingual (to be able to solve problems in both languages & train/direct employees in both languages)..

That still doesn't solve the problem the employer is likely to have by hiring those who can't communicate effectively with the likely customer, though. An employer should be looking at that, too. Lack of ability to communicate effectively with the likely customer should prevent an employer from hiring a person who is likely to be required to effectively communicate with the likely customer, even if the manager is bilingual and has no problem communicating.
Now, it's possible that jlf isn't the likely customer in that store, and that the cashier is quite adept at communicating with the likely customer.

of course it doesn't, you asked how they got hired in some companies & I told ya how ..
I would not hire someone that couldn't communicate effectively but that doesn't mean some companies don't just want a live body that can write whatever meal number the customer asks for.. but that is what makes bilingual employees valuable, in my mind at least.. so anyone not learning both languages is putting themselves at a disadvantage (& I am talking about English only speaking work seekers also, btw)..

• A Conservative interpretation of the US Constitution
  
• Personal Responsibility
  
• Help for the truly needy
  
• Limited Government
  
• Consumption Tax (non-profit charities and food exempt)
  

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri

quote:

ORIGINAL: PeonForHer
FR
What about English lessons provided and paid for by the companies who get all this cheap immigrant labour? A fair proposition, no? A company like McDonalds could even give participants one of their handsome and much prized certificates - similar to those they give to outstanding members of their restaurant 'crews' - at the end of each course.

That might end up making it more difficult for an immigrant to get hired, though. If a company has to provide ESL instruction, it might be easier to just not hire those that would require it. And, there's nothing guaranteeing that a new employee would accept the education, either (it's doubtful that any would turn it down, but it's not a guarantee).

I have to wonder how these people got hired in the first place. If they can't communicate in the predominate () language, how did they get through the interviews?

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri

quote:

ORIGINAL: vincentML

quote:

I answered this above so will add that when an employee of Publix in Hollywood Florida did not understand my question "Where is the wine?" I was able to pull out enough Spanish to get this answered as I had learned it for my trip to Costa Rica.
I do have a problem with hiring employees to serve customers when said employees are not fluent in the customer's language. I blame the employer.

It is quite wonderful how multicultural one can become when open contact is available. I don't see where fluent English is required to stock shelves or scan items at the check out in Publix.

Fluent? No.

Able to converse with the customers? Absolutely, if they are going to be out with the customers.

An employee, be it a merchandiser or cashier, etc., is representing the company. It's in the best interest of the employer for that employee to be able to communicate with the customers, if there is likely to be customer contact. While being fluent is helpful, being able to communicate doesn't necessarily require fluency.

quote:

ORIGINAL: vincentML

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri

quote:

ORIGINAL: vincentML

quote:

I answered this above so will add that when an employee of Publix in Hollywood Florida did not understand my question "Where is the wine?" I was able to pull out enough Spanish to get this answered as I had learned it for my trip to Costa Rica.
I do have a problem with hiring employees to serve customers when said employees are not fluent in the customer's language. I blame the employer.

It is quite wonderful how multicultural one can become when open contact is available. I don't see where fluent English is required to stock shelves or scan items at the check out in Publix.

Fluent? No.
Able to converse with the customers? Absolutely, if they are going to be out with the customers.
An employee, be it a merchandiser or cashier, etc., is representing the company. It's in the best interest of the employer for that employee to be able to communicate with the customers, if there is likely to be customer contact. While being fluent is helpful, being able to communicate doesn't necessarily require fluency.

Then the employer would be the best judge of whether to hire or not; surely they are not stupid management (not for long anyway :)
There might be some other metrics to consider. 1. it may be good for public relations in a state like Florida where there is a large Latino population, 2. perhaps the lack of language fluency is compensated by a more diligent work ethic.

• A Conservative interpretation of the US Constitution
  
• Personal Responsibility
  
• Help for the truly needy
  
• Limited Government
  
• Consumption Tax (non-profit charities and food exempt)
  

quote:

ORIGINAL: EdBowie
There is a specialty within ESL called ESP (English for Specific Purposes), where employers pay for English tailored to the job. It probably isn't time effective for fast food workers, but many other industries pay for it.

• A Conservative interpretation of the US Constitution
  
• Personal Responsibility
  
• Help for the truly needy
  
• Limited Government
  
• Consumption Tax (non-profit charities and food exempt)
  

quote:

Lets face it, with a wage of $7.50/hr they are looking for someone that will accept that wage and stick around

quote:

ORIGINAL: truckinslave

quote:

Lets face it, with a wage of $7.50/hr they are looking for someone that will accept that wage and stick around

Which brings up another problem of our currently unbridled unchecked immigration: the downward pressure it exerts on wages.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phydeaux

It really has nothing to do with greedy corps offshoring.

Its either adapt or die. Offshoring was an attempt to adapt.
Same reasons we no longer make textiles, Tvs, levis, most cars, radios, kitchen appliances, ships....

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phydeaux

It really has nothing to do with greedy corps offshoring.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phydeaux

Its either adapt or die.

quote:

ORIGINAL: mnottertail

Certainly, an employer has every right to choose who to employ and who not to employ... Well, unless there is some government intervention preventing free choice in those matters.

And when there is, there is good cause, convicted felons and child molesters cannot work at certain jobs, and it is illegal to hire illegal aliens... I guess there are other reasons the government dont allow people to have free choice in these matters.

quote:

ORIGINAL: vincentML
Also illegal to hire intergalactic alien felons escaped from Alpha Cenquentin

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zonie63

quote:

ORIGINAL: vincentML
Also illegal to hire intergalactic alien felons escaped from Alpha Cenquentin

I don't think Alpha Cenquentin is a member of the Federation, although I'll have to check. Still, I believe it's permissible to employ aliens from non-Federation worlds, except for Romulans (unless they defect). Even reformed Borg can be employed, just like Seven of Nine.

• A Conservative interpretation of the US Constitution
  
• Personal Responsibility
  
• Help for the truly needy
  
• Limited Government
  
• Consumption Tax (non-profit charities and food exempt)
  

quote:

ORIGINAL: truckinslave

quote:

And what worked 500 years ago isn't nesseccerally
going to work today is it?

No no no.
Our need for essentially unlimited immigration will never ever ever ever ebb. Never abate, slow, or cease. Never
We're all the children of immigrants, you know.
What are you, some kind of racist?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam
If you taught that long in Dade Co, you must also be aware of the parochial/private schools in Hialeah and little Havana that taught K-12 in Spanish until the state outlawed that practice in the late 80's.

That's right kids. Parents paid extra to make sure their kids did NOT speak English until the 3rd generation when the state finally outlawed the practice.