Does it bother you that you can get fired for what you say at work? It is against the first amendment......?

Question

Here is what I am talking about. I could be having a conversation with a customer that another customer doesn't like. They can in turn tell my boss or a higher up and I could consequently be fired. That doesn't limit freedom of speech? It is ultimately restricting people from communication/expressing themselves and coming together.

I am talking about gov. issues.

Here is another example. What about relating environmental issues/ethical issues in regards to their purchases. If I offend them by FACTS ...etc.etc.

Here is what I am talking about. I could be having a conversation with a customer that another customer doesn't like. They can in turn tell my boss or a higher up and I could consequently be fired. That doesn't limit freedom of speech? It is ultimately restricting people from communication/expressing themselves and coming together.

32 minutes ago
I am talking about gov. issues.

29 minutes ago
Here is another example. What about relating environmental issues/ethical issues in regards to their purchases. If I offend them by FACTS ...etc.etc.

Answer 1

most states (concerning jobs) are an "at will" state..meaning you can get fired anytime...unless you are union. if you think your were wrongly fired, you need to file here first before you retain an attorney. this site can also explain unfair firing practices.
http://www.eeoc.gov

Answer 2

They can fire you only if they make it perfectly clear that limitations of behavior are part of your job specifications at the onset of hiring! If they they fail to inform the potential hire or new hire then if the employee is willing to go to court they can't fire the person. What's regrettable is that the employee must spend the resources to defend his position in court! The employers must be made to pay all the legal expenses incurred when this happens! All workers have rights and just because someone hires you, doesn't mean that your rights are abrogated in the least measure!

Answer 3

The ONLY thing the First Amendment guarantees you is that you won't be arrested for what you say (short of yelling "fire"). It does not guarantee you that there are no consequences to what you say. So, if you say something inappropriate to your work setting, your boss can fire your butt.

Re: your detail...You can fight the accusation on the basis that the accusation was WRONG...assuming the customer was wrong. That's different than limiting your freedom of speech. "Coming together" I would assume is NOT part of your job description. If you were talking politics, or whatever...you should be doing that on your own time.

Somehow I suspect your boss would rather that you NOT offend his customers. Duh!

Answer 4

The First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Do you work for Congress? Are the Feds violating your "Freedom of Speech"?

You liberals always think that the First Amendment comes without consequences. Say whatever you want, but realize that there are consequences for what you say.

Answer 5

FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ONE THING ,, BUT WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT AT WORK,,THAT CAN GET YOU FIRED ??? YOU CAN'T GET FIRED FOR TALKING ABOUT POLITICS OR EVEN RELIGION ,YOU CAN GET FIRED FOR SEXUAL COMMENTS OR HARASSMENT ,

OK

SO PERSON # 1 SAID SOMETHING TO PERSON # 2 AND THIS WAS OVER HEARD BY PERSON# 3,,,,PERSON# 3 REPORTED WHAT THEY HEARD IN THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN PERSON'S #1 AND #2,IS THIS RIGHT SO FAR?

IF SO PERSON# 1 CAN'T BE FIRED BECAUSE THIS IS CONSIDERED HEAR SAY EVIDENCE ,THEY MAY HAVE TOTALY MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS BEING SAID BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT INVOLVED FIRST HAND IN THE CONVERSATION THEY ONLY HEARD BITS AND PIECES.,,,SECOND HAND INFORMATION,,NO ONE CAN VERIFY WHAT THE PERSON #3 ACTUALY HEARD.DOES THIS HELP??

AND YES IT DOES BOTHER ME ,VERY MUCH

Answer 6

What bothers me is they are trying to extend that to what you say outside of work. There have been numerous examples of people getting fired for outside of work speech etc. citing "it makes the company look bad" It's a fine line that companies seem to break at will but sometimes are nailed.

Answer 7

A business (or organization) is there to make money and provide a service. If you say something to the detriment of those two things, I see no reason why you shouldn't be fired.

First amendment protects speech in that you can't be JAILED for it. It doesn't provide employment guarantees.

Answer 8

Nope, the Constitution regulates, or is supposed to self regulate government, not private business. When you are off work or unemployed, you can stand on the street corner and talk about anything you want.

Answer 9

Just what are you saying? If you use what could be interpreted as inflammatory, disruptive, speech yes you can be let go. Don't forget malicious gossip either. You may consider what you say to be harmless, but others may take offense. You read as though you are one of those who are all concerned with your rights. Others have rights too, like not to have to listen to it. Rein in the attitude.

Answer 10

Actually, that isn't against the First Amendment. You have every right to say what you want but the company you work for has every right to fire you for it. You work for the company and as such you are expected to comply by there rules of conduct and if you don't they can fire you.

Answer 11

Yes, it IS against the 1st ammendment. However: have you ever heard the phrase-"Discretion is the better part of valour"? I you want to keep your job, you should keep quiet, unless, there IS a specific wrong being commited. There ARE times that you do have to speak-out, but consider the circumstances before you do say something that you might regret later.