Somali workers resolve language issue with Macy's

Minneapolis Macy's
The Macy's store in downtown Minneapolis.
MPR Photo/Brandt Williams

(AP) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says complaints by Somali employees at an Edina Macy's have been resolved.

The employees had complained that a manager at the Southdale Mall Macy's store told them they could lose their jobs if they spoke any language besides English at work.

According to CAIR, the employees have now been told that they were given incorrect information.

At the time of the complaint, Macy's said in a statement that it does not tolerate discrimination and does not have an English-only policy.

A message left Monday for a Macy's spokeswoman was not immediately returned.

CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Taneeza Islam praised Macy's, saying its handling of the issue was prompt and professional.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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