A pizza-crust maker in Green Bay is coughing up $188,000 to be paid to 500 Hispanic applicants. This employer, TNT Crust, is accused of having received 500 applications and of not hiring anyone as the result.
The U.S. Labor Department brought this action based on occurrences in 2001 according to news reports. The action stated that the employer went to the extent of having Spanish language application forms prepared for the use of the Hispanics applying for jobs. It apparently discriminated by also requiring that the applicants take an English test to assure that each would be able to communicate with the other employees and management. It used the results of that testing to make its hiring decisions.
When did it become law in our country that we had to accommodate those who only spoke or read and wrote languages other than English? If I seek an employee and the best-qualified applicant speaks Farsi but not English, am I to be compelled to hire that person even though there are no other Farsi-capable people in my organization or my customer base?
The motto of the United States is E pluribus unum. That stands for "out of many, one" or words to that effect depending upon the translation from Latin. We are great because we assimilated many diverse peoples into one. And a significant part, if not the most significant part, of the reason for our success with that assimilation as a country is that we speak a single language across our country. Radio talkers have hammered this theme over the past few days and are on point, in my estimation, although their commentary was aimed at a presidential candidate that thinks it a shame I can't speak more than my native language. I embarrass him, but he embarrasses me as well so we're apparently even on that score.
If I am hiring people, I need to know that they are able to understand my direction and that I am able to understand their needs. I cannot run a business if I am expected to provide translation services, or if I cannot communicate with my associates. The idea that I have no control over the language capabilities of those I would hire is simply mind boggling.
The incrementalism of our socialistic government agencies takes yet another victim. A pizza crust company in Green Bay found itself in the politically correct cross hairs of the Feds.
Only in America...unfortunately!
