The prosecution centres on an alleged breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which refers to the duty of employers to protect non employees from "risks to their health or safety".
But before adopting an English-only policy, employers should carefully consider the necessity of such a policy, the risks of a legal challenge, and the effect on employee morale.
The trend poses risks for domestic workers who lack a safety net, and for their employers, who may face audits and penalties if an employee later files for benefits and reports the income.