Labour Court rejects Monika Stachon’s appeal over workplace language policy

The Labour Court rejected Monika Stachon’s appeal against a finding that her race and nationality discrimination complaint was not well founded. The determination was dated 29 November 2017. Stachon, a Polish national and general operative at Lake Region Medical Limited, argued that the company’s English-language policy indirectly discriminated against her and a Polish colleague. The policy required employees to use English when working on a line with colleagues who spoke other native languages, while allowing them to speak their own language during breaks. The company said the policy was intended to prevent anyone feeling excluded. The Court found that Stachon had not established the initial facts needed to raise an inference of discrimination. It therefore held that her appeal failed and upheld the Adjudication Officer’s decision.