Australia’s aged care sector is a tapestry of cultures, with over half of its workforce – 51% according to the 2021 ABS Census – born overseas, predominantly from countries like Nepal, India, and the Philippines.
This diversity brings invaluable skills to a sector grappling with staff shortages, but it also sparks complex debates about workplace dynamics, particularly around the use of native languages by foreign-born staff.
In shared spaces like lunchrooms, where colleagues might converse in a language others don’t understand, feelings of exclusion can surface.
For residents, especially those with dementia, hearing unfamiliar languages can be disorienting. Is it rude for foreign-born staff to speak their native tongue in aged care settings?
Or is mandating English-only communication an unfair constraint on a multicultural workforce? The answer lies in balancing cultural sensitivity, professional responsibility, and the wellbeing of residents and staff.
A multicultural workforce, a divided workplace
The aged care workforce reflects Australia’s cultural diversity, with 39% of residential aged care employees speaking a language other than English at home, per the 2021 Census.
This linguistic diversity is a strength, enabling staff to connect with residents from varied backgrounds. However, it can also create friction when foreign-born staff use their native languages at work, particularly in communal areas like staff rooms or during care delivery.
Feedback from the Aged Care Worker Support group on Facebook reveals a range of perspectives. One Australian-born worker described feeling “uncomfortable” when colleagues spoke Nepali in the nurses’ station, a sentiment echoed by others who felt excluded in similar situations.
Another noted residents’ complaints, saying staff speaking non-English languages in their rooms felt “disrespectful” and left residents wondering if they were being discussed. Yet, not all views are critical. Some staff, like one who mentioned colleagues asking permission to speak their language, see no issue as long as English is used when addressing residents or coworkers.
Others argue that banning native languages dismisses the cultural identities of workers navigating an already challenging system.
Cultural norms often shape perceptions of rudeness. In Australian workplace culture, speaking a language others don’t understand in their presence can be seen as exclusionary, especially in shared spaces. One commenter stated, “It’s rude. They could be bagging the crap out of you, and we have no clue.”
This fear of being talked about, whether justified or not, heightens feelings of isolation. For foreign-born staff, however, using their native tongue may be a matter of ease and efficiency, particularly in a high-pressure job. As one worker noted, it can “boost team morale” and reduce miscommunication in critical situations, such as discussing a resident’s care.
The resident experience: A critical lens
The debate intensifies when considering residents, many of whom have dementia or cognitive impairments. For someone with dementia, waking to unfamiliar words spoken by caregivers can be profoundly unsettling.
One commenter highlighted that such situations “cause behaviour issues, especially in residents who are living with dementia, most are scared and feel confronted.” Families have also raised concerns, with some escalating complaints to the Aged Care Commission over staff using non-English languages in front of residents.
Clear communication is central to quality care. The Aged Care Quality Standards emphasise person-centred care, which includes ensuring residents feel safe and understood. When staff speak a language residents don’t comprehend, particularly during personal care, it risks eroding trust.
One worker recounted residents saying staff “say ‘yes’ to everything so the staff will go away,” illustrating how language barriers can deepen feelings of neglect or misunderstanding.
On the other hand, multilingual staff can be a vital asset for non-English-speaking residents, offering comfort in their native tongue – a benefit often overlooked in calls for English-only policies.
Context matters: When and where language is used
Is it rude to speak a foreign language in an aged care setting? Context is key. In professional settings – on the floor, during handovers, or in residents’ rooms – English should be the default to ensure clarity and inclusivity.
This isn’t about suppressing cultural identity but about prioritising residents’ needs and fostering a cohesive team environment. Many facilities have policies mandating English during work hours but allowing native languages on breaks, a compromise that balances professional demands with personal needs.
One worker described their workplace’s rule: “English only on the floor, but staff can speak whatever language they like on their break.” This approach respects both the job’s requirements and staff’s cultural backgrounds.
In communal spaces like staff rooms, the issue is less straightforward. While it’s natural for multilingual staff to use their native tongue, especially among colleagues from the same background, sensitivity to others’ feelings is crucial. Simple gestures, like asking, “Does it bother you if we speak our language?” can build trust.
Cultural awareness training could further bridge divides, encouraging open dialogue about how language use impacts team dynamics.
Management has a pivotal role in addressing these tensions. Many commenters expressed frustration over ignored or inconsistently enforced language policies. Clear, communicated guidelines, paired with consequences for repeated violations, could resolve this.
Additionally, supporting multilingual staff with English-language training and cultural integration programmes could ease friction, ensuring they feel valued without disrupting workplace harmony.
Fostering empathy and inclusion
The aged care sector’s strength lies in its diversity, but this comes with the responsibility to navigate differences thoughtfully. For Australian-born staff, empathy involves recognising that speaking a native language isn’t inherently disrespectful – it’s often a reflex born of comfort or necessity.
For foreign-born staff, it means understanding how their language use might unintentionally exclude others or unsettle residents. Managers must cultivate an environment where these conversations can occur without fear of accusations like racism or dismissiveness.
The sector thrives when respect underpins communication, regardless of the language spoken. Policies that prioritise English in professional contexts while allowing cultural expression during breaks can create a workplace where all staff feel included and residents feel secure.
In a field built on care, the true measure of respect is not the language used but the intent behind it, ensuring every voice, whether staff or resident, is heard and valued.
It is rude to speak non-English Language at work, especially in front of residents and staff. Disrespectful. It might be very comfortable for some, but just a noise for English speaking people and devisive (non-inclusive). It is still an English speaking country. It would not be allowed in other countries out of respect for culture, language and people of that country. On personal experience it is very frustrating and annoying to hear a noise of another language, irritating to the ear and unpleasant work environment to be. Another reason people leave work of aged care if you talk about shortages.
When my Husband was very sick in Hospital, the night staff were Asian and they would not speak to him in English, they only spoke in their own language over him. He was seriously ill and I would leave after all day nursing him myself at about 11pm. He begged me to stay and sleep on the floor as they were not looking after him and wouldn’t talk to him. Private hospital too. Disgusting lack of respect.
It is uncomfortable when foureigners speak in their own language even in the staffroom. They have one over the English speaking minorities in Aged Care and they know it. If they truly want to show inclusion and respect to the natives they need to use English the whole time they are at work. Their English is often so bad that they would be doing themselves a favour by speaking English all the time when at work which would assist them to be more prolific in the English language.
Instead of bring in people from overseas pay OUR workers DECENT MONEY……our elderly shouldn’t have to try and understand what people from overseas are trying to say in broken English.
Thank you so much bring up suhc as critical isseus at wokrplace that we are facing. I do agee 100 % in a multicural workign enviornment we should speak only English to making sure inclusion is the part of our job ethical responsibility.
I work with a lot of People who speak different languages. On the floor whilst working it should be English spoken. In the Staff room the only complaint I have is when They speak in Their Native tongue very loudly.
I actually love hearing the different languages!
I find it very annoying and inconsiderate when immigrants talk very loudly in their own language in public places such as hospitals, lunch rooms etc. If they wish to communicate in their own language they should make sure that other’s privacy is respected which does not normally happen and this leads to other people feel excluded. It all comes down to respect for one another. It is a common courtesy to speak in a public place the common language which in our case is English and everyone will be happy.
I worked in a RACF for five years. I always felt it was ‘disrespectful’ to talk in front of residents in a language they could not understand – its (supposedly) their home after all. But in the staff room I didn’t care what language people spoke. In fact I liked it when staff spoke in a language I didn’t understand as it meant I could zone out and ignore them – feeling more comfortable in my own head than having to engage with people I had nothing in common with. I don’t find it offensive hearing a foreign language. It must be hard being in a country where your own toungue is an alien construct. I’ve never felt that ‘foreigners’ HAVE TO adopt Australian ways. Live your own life – I don’t care – I don’t feel threatened.
If speaking to english speaking residents or patients must speak English the only time they should speak their own language is when dealing with patients from their own country.
Safety is dependent upon clear communication and staff for whom English is a second language need to practice workplace English as often as they can.
When the doctor speaks to care staff in their shared language, excluding residents from their own care, we know we have a big problem. That happens.
If the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission was serious about Quality and Safety they would prioritise communication as a big issue.
There are a number of good internet based English language programs and it should be possible to get one of them to include common care terms in their program?
I know the Commission is busy, but this must be a hugely important safety issue.
When staff in my area speak in their own language, I do draw attention to it. HOWEVER, I make it clear, that if they are trying to explain something important that will take a single sentence in their own language, compared with several in English, and the meaning might NOT be completely understood, that is ok to use their own language. I also remind them that none of our residents share the same language.
There is no official language in Australia. However, workers are there to provide residents with appropriate care and therefore should use the appropriate language around them as they are working in what is essentially their home. On an unpaid meal break, workers should be free to speak whatever language they like, with consideration to who is also around them. It is just as much their break as it is everyone else’s and if they feel most relaxed and comfortable speaking their native tongue than let them. If you’re paranoid about being spoken about, it’s time to get a life.
Being employed in an English speaking establishment all should speak English, it is most uncomfortable hearing other languages spoken and wondering if they are talking about you. Speaking in other languages can feel threatening to those who only speak English. Good manners standards are one does not whisper in front of another or speak in a language that is foreign. Diversity is wonderful in cultures but there is a time and a place for everything, share the culture but do not alienate people by leaving them out of the conversation!