Is There Freedom of Speech at Work?
Today I noticed that a teenager in Kansas decided to speak her mind regarding the performance of her Governor during an event. It made me stop and think about how I have seen people lose their jobs as a result of something they have posted to a social media website such as Twitter. Chances are we all know of someone that this has happened to at some point, one of the most recent ones that comes to my mind is this guy.
So where does freedom of speech begin and end? How is it that Emma Sullivan is allowed to make such comments without facing any disciplinary actions? The answer lies in a little thing we sign and agree to when we start a new job, or enter into school. It is typically called "Code of Ethics", and it does a great job of restricting the rights that you are allowed to freely exercise elsewhere. If Emma had tweeted about her school or her principal she would have been given a month's worth of detention.
Same things goes for you and your boss or employer. Speak up about them publicly and you will find life more difficult around your office. Speak up about something outside of work and you won't have the same problem.
I believe the world is a better place when people are allowed to be themselves and speak their mind. Of course a certain decorum is expected, and people should accept the fact that not everyone would appreciate the words that have been spoken or written.
I doubt our Founding Fathers could have imagined Twitter, and how quickly a few words could impact so many others at once.
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