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A Fontana preschool that implemented an English-only policy for its employees has agreed to a $200,000 settlement with the state of California, alleging that management retaliated against a teacher’s aide for speaking Spanish. The funds could be distributed to former and current employees affected by the policy.
The problem started with a pen, the California Department of Civil Rights announced in a news release Thursday. The state watchdog investigates claims of abuse by employers and has filed lawsuits against Tesla, video game giant Activision Blizzard, Microsoft and supermarket chain Ralphs.
In 2023, state authorities launched an investigation into Leap and Bounds, a private preschool and elementary school with locations in Escondido, La Puente, and Fontana.
School staff claimed that class time had been significantly reduced and that they felt discriminated against based on their cultural background. The school instituted an English-only workplace policy after someone overheard an employee speaking Spanish and asked a colleague for a pen, the Office of Civil Rights said. According to the settlement agreement, the person claimed that the employees were gossiping in Spanish, and management required employees to use Spanish language at work unless they needed to communicate with a non-English speaking parent. They reportedly asked them to sign an agreement prohibiting them from speaking the language.
Kevin Kish, director of the California Department of Civil Rights, said in a statement: “Educators have every right to feel like their heritage is being celebrated, but the Leap & Bounds language ban allegations are more indicative of a hostile work culture. “This encouraged staff to feel unvalued and unwelcome.”
According to the Office of Civil Rights, California civil rights law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of national origin, race, or ethnicity.
Employees who filed complaints were able to enter into mediation between state authorities and their employers. Leaps and Bounds agreed to eliminate its English-only policy and train staff in California civil rights laws.
Leap & Bounds did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the California Department of Civil Rights could not be reached for additional information about the case. The proposed settlement provides a $35,000 reward to the employee who filed the complaint and also covers the costs of notifying current and former employees who are entitled to the money.
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