Demand staff to speak 'perfect English'? Have a legit need.

• Position: Legal Briefs

When a Maryland facilities management company hired a woman from El Salvador to be a part-time janitor, her interview and training were conducted in Spanish, as was her initial training. She worked with Spanish-speaking co-workers.

But a new manager fired her and said she could have her job back if she learned to "speak perfect English" in 30 days. The EEOC sued and the company settled for $37,500 and a promise to drop the language rule. (EEOC v. Blackstone Consulting, DC MD)

The lesson: The EEOC says rules requiring workers to speak only English...