These days, you can't say anything without offending someone. We have a strict policy at my job, we are not allowed to talk about religion. Around Christmas, you know how some company's do the secret Santa thing and everyone exchanges gifts. Well, at my job, we couldn't call it Secret Santa, because the firm thought it might offend people. So we called it, secret snowflake. I totally understand about the whole religion thing, but secret snowflake...you gotta be kidding me!
2007-06-28 08:08:07 · 28 answers · asked by Liberal City 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I work at a private company. A small law firm.
2007-06-28 08:12:49 · update #1
Crabby, good point..I suppose.
2007-06-28 08:31:27 · update #2
Do you work for a government agency, or private company?
The left has declared all-out War on Christmas. I'm not a Christian, and this offends me.
2007-06-28 08:11:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 7⤋
"Secret snowflake" is being far too oversensitive. First of all "Santa" has nothing to do with religion. Santa is just an idea that represents goodwill and kindness. Personally, I'm more offended by "snowflake" because I used to live in Chicago and moved to the west coast to get away from snow. As some others said, it may not be a free speech issue, but it is a stupidity issue.
2007-06-28 18:02:21 · answer #2 · answered by David M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well--not to be judgemental, but your firm sounds obnoxiously anal. I agree that's ridiculous.
But its not a free speech issue--you should know that if you work at a law firm. But-to review: the state cannot restrict speech (with some specific and very limited exceptions). Nor can another individual or group use force or other forms of coercion to silence anyone; they can talk back and criticize--or ostracize all they want, as long as they don't cross that line.
On the other hand, if you go into someones home and make yourself obnoxious, he's perfectly within his rights to show you the door. Its his hous and his rules.
An employee/employer relationship is a bit more complicated. The employer can set certain conditions of employment--up to a point--and that can include what the employer regards as necessary limits on speech. It's not a blank check--your boss can't dictate what you say on your own time (at home, with friends, etc.).
So--asinine as this is, its not a violation of your right to free speech.
2007-06-28 15:29:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
All different nominations except Santa as representing different cultures not just Christian, Factually the present day red suit jolly fat Santa has absolutely nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. But to a lot of S.P's he represents a connection which they will do anything & everything to sever. Christianity still holds a lot power in the U.S. & that drives the motavation of the S.P movment to take Christmas & poor old Santa out of the main stream.
As far as I am concerened it is my constutional right to say Santa & Christmas even if some one else does not say it, that is there choice just like this is mine.
2007-06-28 15:26:59 · answer #4 · answered by Polilical conundrum... 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know everyone loves to hate Walmart these days. But remember in the 1990's, they refused to take down the Merry Christmas signs? They got blasted in the Media and Clinton?
Are not they a Private Company who has rights?
They even offered to put up Chanuka, and also "Seasons Greetings" for the Agnostic. And were still blasted.
Making a Political statement about Santa Claus goes a little far for me...
You are right....YIKES!!!!!
2007-06-28 15:15:35 · answer #5 · answered by Ken C 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's political correctness. Why is really hard to say. You'd think that - with the same movement that was fighting for the principles that mutated into PC also fighting for free speach - it wouldn't have gone this far. My theory is that it's symptomatic of that movement having lost it's way, and focusing on self-perpetuation rather than accomplishing it's original goals - something that tends to happen to any popular movement over time.
That example is particularly silly, since 'Santa' is a secular image, anyway.
2007-06-28 17:15:07 · answer #6 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Liberals want it that way. I never noticed Republicans throwing food, pencils, or screaming epithets so loudly at guest speakers at Universities, like Columbia, and American.
Mostly the Libs in the Senate voted Yea, on the amnesty bill, completely against 98% of the American Peoples desires. I guess the Libs don't HEAR very well, either. Or is it just selective hearing? You decide.
PS to Libs....Do you like having the Democratic Senate, and House, you recently elected ignore you, and your wishes?
2007-06-28 15:19:35 · answer #7 · answered by xenypoo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of speech does not apply to private firms; they just cannot discriminate against employees based on race, religion, sex, nationality, etc. Other than that, a private company can devise its own rules and regulations. You should have known that when you signed the employment contract.
2007-06-28 15:16:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Bill of Rights only protects our rights from the government. A private company can restrict your speech all they want. They shouldn't, but they can.
2007-06-28 15:17:55 · answer #9 · answered by Aegis of Freedom 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The constitution does not prevent your company from limiting your speech while on the job.
2007-06-28 15:19:57 · answer #10 · answered by beren 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How does the firm know if workers could be offended?
If you can't exchange gifts at work, you can do it in another place.
2007-06-28 15:17:10 · answer #11 · answered by Mysterio 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋