Your right to use Welsh at work

The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 made provision about the official status of the Welsh language in Wales and gave everyone:

✓ the freedom to use Welsh and

✓ the right to speak and use Welsh with others in Wales without prevention, interference nor suffering any disadvantage – including in every workplace and every sector

In organisations whose duties come under the Welsh Language Standards you have specific rights in your workplace – find out more below.

Why Welsh Language rights is a trade union issue

Supporting Welsh language rights in the workplace is a key part of our beliefs in fair work, equality and social justice.

As trade unionists we promote equality and diversity and want to ensure social inclusion in terms of the Welsh language.

Wales TUC works in partnership with Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society) to support workers’ rights to speak and use, learn and enjoy the Welsh language freely in the workplace. And together we support the provision of services in Welsh – reflecting its use in the full range of normal life situations – including at home, for leisure, and in the community.

What is fair work?

Fair work promotes visible fair conditions at work which respect workers’ rights. Wales TUC works with the Welsh Government and employers in social partnership with the aim of creating a “equal, fair and just Wales with fair work at its core.” (Welsh Government)

Our campaign for equality for the Welsh language at work sits within the fair work agenda:

“Fair work is work which fulfils the rights of workers, supports worker wellbeing, and provides workers with a voice. Fair work is the presence of observable conditions at work which means workers are fairly rewarded, heard and represented, and can progress in a secure, healthy, and inclusive working environment, where their rights as workers are respected.” (A Guide to Fair Work, Welsh Government)

How to get help with using Welsh at work 

• Ask your employer what services they offer in Welsh  
• Talk to your union rep about any problems you experience when using Welsh at work or for support to request opportunities and time off work to learn Welsh and upskill  
• Campaign to raise the profile of the Welsh language in your workplace through your union. Share our Welsh language rights flyer with colleagues to raise awareness 
• Complain to the Welsh Language Commissioner anonymously and free of charge. They have a duty to consider your complaint and to try to ensure fairness for you  
• Learn Welsh – You may be able to learn Welsh using the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) whether you’re a member of a union or not  
• Suggest that your union joins the Wales TUC Welsh Language Forum and works with us to develop their Welsh language offering  

Background to your rights - The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 

The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 gave everyone the freedom to use Welsh, official status for the Welsh language in Wales, and created the post of the Welsh Language Commissioner and Welsh Language Standards – standards and conduct duties relating to the Welsh language, that organisations included within a listed category and named specifically in the Measure, must comply with, in the provision of public services. 

The Welsh Language Commissioner promotes and facilitates the use of Welsh, whilst seeking to ensure that Welsh is not treated less favourably than English and creates rights through enforcement duties. The Commissioner also has the power to investigate cases of alleged interference with an individuals’ right to use Welsh in particular circumstances.

Download the Commissioner's leaflet "Live in Welsh - Work in Welsh"

As a consequence of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 everyone has: 

• The freedom to use Welsh 
• The right to speak and use Welsh with others in Wales without prevention, interference nor suffering any disadvantage – including in every workplace and every sector. 

The freedom to communicate in Welsh belongs to everyone. 

Download our Right to use Welsh at work flyer

Rights that are gradually being introduced to workers in Wales over time

In organisations whose duties come under the Welsh Language Standards, you have rights such as these:

• The right to use Welsh and to hear Welsh in the workplace
• The right to apply for a job in Welsh and to receive a contract in Welsh
• The right to specify Welsh as being the language your employer should communicate with you and provide services for you e.g. for recording holiday leave and hours of work
• The right to learn Welsh or to receive training to develop your skills to work through the medium of Welsh or to a language awareness course
• The right to receive information in Welsh e.g. on the intranet of the organisation
• The right to increase your use of Welsh in the workplace as a result of steps taken by your employer to create favourable conditions for you to do so e.g. by making it possible to work on a computer and to use Welsh in meetings
• The right to raise a complaint with your employer in Welsh
• The right to see Welsh on signs and to hear announcements in Welsh in the workplace

You can ask your employer what services they offer in Welsh.

You have a right to complain to the Welsh Language Commissioner, who has a duty to consider your complaint and to try to ensure fairness for you, and there isn’t a cost for you to do so.

The Welsh Language Commissioner works on a voluntary basis with private sector organisations and the third sector with the aim of increasing opportunities within them to use Welsh.

Wales TUC works in partnership with Cymdeithas yr Iaith to support Welsh in the workplace

The Wales TUC works in partnership with Cymdeithas yr Iaith and focuses on supporting and promoting – with the aim of protecting - the future of the Welsh language as a living language in workplaces and communities throughout Wales and as part of the wider agenda for fair work, equality and social justice.

Together we seek to protect workers’ freedom and rights to use Welsh in the workplace as part of our goals for fair work, equality and social justice.

We support and promote opportunities for workers who want to learn Welsh and upskill.

We want to see additional Welsh language rights introduced and implemented over time. And we want to see Welsh being normalised in every workplace across Wales.

Wales TUC’s ‘Cynnig Cymraeg’ (Welsh Language Offer)

At Wales TUC we want everyone to be able to communicate with us in the language of their choice.   We’re pleased to have received the Welsh Language Commissioner’s recognition for our ‘Cynnig Cymraeg’ (Welsh Language Offer). This sets out clearly which services you can expect to receive from us in Welsh.

See our full ’Cynnig Cymraeg’ commitments

Can we help your union to communicate more in Welsh?

We are committed to increasing Welsh language communications across the trade union movement. If you work for a union and you’d like to increase your use of the Welsh language please contact Dr Mandy James on mjames@tuc.org.uk