MP JOINS SHOP STAFF IN PUSH FOR WELSH BADGES:
ENGLISH HEAD OFFICE TOLD TO ‘GET SERIOUS’
AHIGH STREET store needs to adopt a new approach to the Welsh language if it is “serious about respecting the rights of Welsh speakers”, an MP says.
It comes after the revelation that The Original Factory Shop’s head office in Burnley, Lancashire, refused to allow Pwllheli staff members to wear badges showing they can speak Welsh.
The company said the ‘Iaith Gwaith’ (Working Welsh) badges, produced by the Welsh Language Commissioner, “aren’t necessary”, as all staff members know basic phrases in Welsh.
The company said it would ensure staff have better knowledge of some Welsh statements to better assist customers, after one shopper alleged that she was told to leave the Pwllheli store after addressing a member of staff in Welsh in August.
The company have also claimed that, although they have not yet received an official request to their head office for their store teams to wear the Welshspeaker badges, they have approached the Welsh Language Commissioner for more information.
Local MP Liz Saville Roberts has now said that businesses who choose to set up shop in Welsh-speaking areas should be encouraging and supporting their staff to use the language at work.
Mrs Saville Roberts said: “I am encouraged that the Original Factory Shop themselves acknowledge most of their staff have a basic understanding of the Welsh language.
“But better provisions should be put in place to enable both customers and staff to conduct business in Welsh, especially in Pwllheli.
“One simple way to do this is to use visible signals like badges or lanyards.
“If Welsh-speaking customers wish to converse in their own language, then so be it. That is their right.
“Likewise, if staff members want to promote their ability to speak Welsh, the company should make most of the resources available to them to facilitate this.”
The small orange badges allow colleagues and customers to identify Welsh speakers so that they are able to have conversations in the language.
Lanyards are also available to help identify those who are willing and comfortable speaking Welsh.
A spokesperson for The Original Factory Shop said: “As mentioned before, we are committed to delivering excellent service to all customers, we have ensured any colleagues who are not fluent Welsh speakers, serving in Welsh speaking areas, have been provided with simple Welsh statements to help provide assistance.
“I can assure you we want to support the local communities of our stores and we are determined to ensure our Welsh-speaking customers receive the highest level of service possible in their native language.
“With reference to wearing Welshspeaking badges, we have requested some extra information from the Welsh Language Commissioner to help us understand whether this is a community-wide initiative or indeed a country-wide initiative, as we have many stores across North and South Wales.
“We have never received a request to our Head Office for our store teams to wear the badges.
“All we had heard was that the store had been requested, by a local councillor, to wear the badges.
“We have also reviewed a link, sent to us, with regards to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Hybu team support, which has been extremely helpful.”