A Fontana preschool that implemented an English-only instruction policy for its employees agreed to a $200,000 settlement with California after a teacher’s aide claimed management retaliated against her because that she spoke Spanish. The money could be distributed to former and current employees affected by the policy.
The problem started with a pen, the California Department of Civil Rights said in a news release Thursday. The state watchdog is investigating allegations of employer abuse and has filed lawsuits against Tesla, video game giant Activision Blizzard, Microsoft and the Ralphs supermarket chain.
In 2023, the state agency began its investigation into Leaps and Bounds, a private preschool and elementary school with locations in Escondido, La Puente and Fontana.
A school employee said her hours had been significantly reduced and she felt discriminated against because of her cultural background. After someone overheard an employee speaking Spanish — he was asking a co-worker for a pen — the school implemented a policy of using English only at work, the Department of Civil Rights said. The person claimed that employees were chatting in Spanish, so management responded by requiring employees to sign an agreement preventing them from speaking Spanish at work unless they needed to communicate with a parent who did not speak English, according to the settlement agreement.
“Educators deserve to feel celebrated for their heritage, but instead Leaps and Bounds’ so-called language ban fostered a hostile work culture that left staff feeling devalued and unwelcome,” said Kevin Kish, director of the California Department of Civil Rights, in a statement.
California civil rights laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on their national origin, race or ethnicity, according to the Department of Civil Rights.
The employee who filed the complaint was able to initiate mediation with the public agency and his employer. Leaps and Bounds agreed to end its English-only policy and train its staff on California civil rights laws.
Leaps and Bounds did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the California Department of Civil Rights could not be reached for additional information about the case. The settlement will fund $35,000 in compensation for the employee who filed the complaint and cover costs that will be incurred in notifying current and former employees who may be entitled to money.
