Polish most common language after English in workplace 21.02.07
Polish is now the most spoken language after English in West Midlands businesses, according to new research.
The study carried out by the RLN found that more than twice as many organisations in the region employ Polish speakers, compared with any other foreign mother tongue.
At companies where English is not the first language for all staff, 35 per cent employ Polish speakers. This compares to 16 per cent of companies with French-speaking employees or speakers of Asian languages, and 11 per cent with Spanish speakers.
Since Poland joined the European Union in 2004, Britain has become home to hundreds of thousands from Eastern Europe. An estimated 20,000 Poles have settled in West Midlands towns and cities, with an increasing number employed in rural areas as fruit and flower-pickers.
Chris Everall, the manager of the Regional Language Network West Midlands, said that it was in companies’ best interests to identify and address challenges posed by a multi-lingual workforce.
“The research highlights the growing number of foreign language-speakers across the West Midlands and in particular, the high number of Polish speakers. This has given rise to a variety of potential language and cultural barriers within the workplace.
“For example, employers are legally required to communicate health and safety information to all their employees – yet migrant workers might not have sufficient English to understand it. In a number of cases we have encountered, a Polish employee has signed a contract of employment, but has not been able to understand its terms and conditions. This places both employee and employer at a disadvantage.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, in association with the RLN, is holding an event to provide local employers with an insight into laws and regulations that affect migrant workers. “Complying and Employing Migrant Workers” takes place on Monday 6 March between 9 am and 2.30 pm at Burgoynes Marques, Lyonshall. To find out more visit our events pages.
Click here to find out more information on the research or to download the full report.
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