By Todd Hatton/AP
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has signed a bill declaring that it is not discriminatory for employers to establish English-only policies where there are legitimate business reasons for doing so. Federal courts have ruled that employers can require workers to speak English only when it is for a business or safety reason.
Tennessee Human Rights Commission Director Beverly Watts says the new bill may create problems for employers because it gives the impression that broad English-only policies are acceptable. Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker says the governor signed the measure because it doesn't change Tennessee law and it contains unrelated employment protections for volunteer rescue squad workers.