Whole Foods reviewing language policy

Whole Foods Market has announced the company is reviewing its employee language policy after two New Mexico Spanish-speaking workers said they were suspended.

Company spokeswoman Libba Letton said Friday that the Austin, Texas-based organic grocery chain is re-examining the policy and it will be a topic at an all-leadership conference next week.

The move comes after two New Mexico employees said they were suspended for a day after recently complaining about a policy they say forbids them from speaking Spanish. The company says they were suspended for “rude” behavior.

Whole Foods says all English speaking workers must speak English to customers and other employees while on the clock, unless the customer speaks another language.

The New Mexico League of United Latin American Citizens said the company has a week to change the policy before advocates will launch a boycott.