McDonald's probe over 'English language' rule
Fast food giant McDonald's could be in trouble with race watchdogs for asking its staff to speak English, it was revealed today.
An outlet in Manchester put up a sign ordering employees to use English at all times in the store - including the staff room.
But experts now believe they could have infringed workers' human rights and European employment law.
The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) confirmed their legal experts were examining the case.
"We have received some complaints and we are going to look at it," a spokeswoman said.
The McDonald's staff sign said: "Attention All Staff. Due to the common language within the store, all staff members must use English at all times.
"This is in accordance to HQ."
It added: "Warnings can be issued to anyone who doesn't follow this notice. Thank-you."
Some of the staff complained to Qassim Afzal, a former Manchester City Councillor and member of the federal executive of the Liberal Democrat Party, who speaks on equality issues.
He said: "They came to see me. They were really upset. They feel they were being deprived of a natural way of expressing themselves. They are British born people.
"I think it is discriminatory. It is ridiculous.
"I have spoken to the CRE. I think they are looking at article 13 of the European Directive and the 2000 Race Relations Act and the amendment and the Equal Human Rights Commission to decide is this an infringement of human rights for being prevented from speaking in their heritage or native language."
The shop in the Orient Food Hall of the Trafford Centre shopping centre, employs 70 staff, a third of which are from ethnic minorities.
Mr Afzal said McDonald's, as a multi-national company, should be more sensitive and the use of other languages will help people respect each other's languages and differences.
"Britain is a diverse country. We have so many languages, we have just enlarged Europe to 25 countries."
Employment law specialists said the "English language only" rule could be discriminatory - because only someone of English origin could fully comply.
Shop managers at the Manchester outlet referred callers to their HQ in London.
