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Thomas Cook Welsh rule 'unlawful' Thomas Cook Welsh rule 'unlawful'
(20 minutes later)
A ban by Thomas Cook on its staff speaking Welsh to discuss work "quite probably" breaks the law, according to the Commission for Racial Equality. Travel agent Thomas Cook's request for Welsh speakers to discuss work in English "probably" breaks the law, says the Commission for Racial Equality.
The travel agents told staff in Bangor - one of the strongest Welsh-speaking areas - they must hold work-related conversations in English. Its staff in Bangor, Gwynedd, were told that all work-related discussions with colleagues must be in English.
The Welsh Language Society called it "disgraceful" and said it highlighted the need for a new Welsh Language Act. Thomas Cook said its staff had not been banned from speaking Welsh, or any other language, privately.
The Welsh Assembly Government said the firm's rule was "wholly unacceptable". Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society) said it highlighted the need for a new Welsh Language Act.
It emerged last week that staff at the Gwynedd store had been asked to use only English to discuss business. It has emerged that staff at the Gwynedd store had been asked to use English only to discuss business matters, such as training and team performance.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman confirmed the policy applied to all non-English languages. In a statement, Thomas Cook said the policy did not apply to personal conversations between staff, nor did it apply to Welsh-speaking customers wishing to be served in Welsh.
The firm said the policy ensures "clear communication at all times" The statement read: "Thomas Cook can confirm that its staff have not been banned from speaking Welsh - or any other language - in its network of UK stores.
A company statement said: "Thomas Cook requests that all staff speak English when discussing work-related matters in the work place. "The company has always requested that its staff, regardless of any geographical location, speak English to other staff members when discussing work-related matters in the work place.
"This ensures clear communication at all times and is respectful to team members who do not speak other languages."This ensures clear communication at all times and is respectful to team members who do not speak other languages.
"Thomas Cook employs staff from many cultural backgrounds, therefore the company appreciates its staff may want to talk to colleagues in other languages for anything that is not business related". "Thomas Cook employs staff from many cultural backgrounds, therefore the company appreciates its staff may want to talk to colleagues in other languages for anything that is not business related."
The Commission for Racial Equality in Wales, will consult its lawyers on Monday, while the language society has already been in contact with the firm. If you've got customers coming in speaking Welsh, employees who are fluent, then they have a right to speak whatever language they wish in the workplace Hywel Griffiths, chair, Cymdeithas yr Iaith
A bilingual sign has now been put in the window of the company's office in Bangor which reads: "Despite press reports you are very welcome to do your business here through the medium of Welsh."
The Commission for Racial Equality in Wales said it would be consulting its lawyers, while the language society has already been in contact with the firm.
Commission director Chris Myant told BBC Radio Wales that Thomas Cook's policy was "quite probably" in breach of the Race Relations Act.Commission director Chris Myant told BBC Radio Wales that Thomas Cook's policy was "quite probably" in breach of the Race Relations Act.
If you've got customers coming in speaking Welsh, employees who are fluent, then they have a right to speak whatever language they wish in the workplace Hywel Griffiths, the chair of Cymdeithas Yr Iaith
He said: "It's somewhat silly. It's not something that will work in the workplace.He said: "It's somewhat silly. It's not something that will work in the workplace.
"We won't make a definite statement until we've actually seen the full details. But this is something that won't run with the Race Relations Act in general.""We won't make a definite statement until we've actually seen the full details. But this is something that won't run with the Race Relations Act in general."
Mr Myant said Thomas Cook managers could visit his office if they wanted to see how "you can make bilingual offices work".Mr Myant said Thomas Cook managers could visit his office if they wanted to see how "you can make bilingual offices work".
Hywel Griffiths, the chair of Cymdeithas Yr Iaith, told the same programme he thought the firm's decision was "disgraceful". 'Crass insensitivity'
Hywel Griffiths, chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, thought the firm's decision was "disgraceful".
"It really wouldn't have happened if a [new] Welsh Language Act had been in force," he said."It really wouldn't have happened if a [new] Welsh Language Act had been in force," he said.
"If you've got customers coming in speaking Welsh, employees who are fluent, then they have a right to speak whatever language they wish in the workplace.""If you've got customers coming in speaking Welsh, employees who are fluent, then they have a right to speak whatever language they wish in the workplace."
'Crass insensitivity'
Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP Elfyn Llwyd, said Thomas Cook had showed "crass insensitivity" and deserved to be "hammered economically" if it did not change its policy.Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP Elfyn Llwyd, said Thomas Cook had showed "crass insensitivity" and deserved to be "hammered economically" if it did not change its policy.
He said he would ask the Leader of the House of Commons, Jack Straw, why the firm should be the preferred supplier of travel services for members of Parliament, a contract he said was worth millions. He said he would ask the House of Commons Leader Jack Straw why the firm should be the preferred supplier of travel services for MPs, a contract he said was worth millions.
David Rosser, director of the CBI in Wales, said there was no need for the "legislative hammer" of a new Welsh Language Act. David Rosser, director of the employers' organisation CBI in Wales, said there was no need for a new Welsh Language Act.
He said: "This is highly unusual. It don't think we need a legislative hammer to crack this nut.He said: "This is highly unusual. It don't think we need a legislative hammer to crack this nut.
He said: "If enough customers don't like this and take their business elsewhere - that is really how to tackle this issue."He said: "If enough customers don't like this and take their business elsewhere - that is really how to tackle this issue."
The Welsh Assembly Government said the firm's rule was "wholly unacceptable".