10.2190/E8FG-LPVY-5VFL-QAHB E8FGLPVY5VFLQAHB 283 Recent Developments in Federal Court Application of the EEOC Guidelines to English-Only Rules 283 295 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 E8FGLPVY5VFLQAHB.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=E8FGLPVY5VFLQAHB 4 Donald J. Petersen and Harvey R. Boller This article, based on an analysis of federal cases since <em>Garcia v. Spun Steak</em>, looks at the weight accorded by the courts to the EEOC Guidelines dealing with English-only rules. It documents a possible shift in viewpoint by those courts from small or no notice of the Guidelines, to substantial deference. In particular, the courts have emphasized that inadvertent violations of English-only rules should not subject an employee to discipline/discharge. Yet, in the absence of the Supreme Court s review of English-only rules, parties may remain uncertain as to the legality of such rules. Suggestions are offered which may place speak English-only rules in compliance with both the EEOC and the courts.