Should someone who expresses a controversial opinion outside of work be fired from their job, even if their performance on the job is good?
Even though the premise is vague, I voted yes. Say an employee of the National Cattleman's Association started a blog on the evils of eating beef. Do you really think his/her employer is obligated to keep 'em on the payroll?
So if his blog said something like "I rather eat Tofu than beef, because I like the taste, but I know that the association raises a prime product"?
Depends. A grammar school teacher who is an active, and vocal member of NAMBLA, should be, in my opinion, fired. Generally speaking, if the unpopular opinion is not in any way job related and isn't so far out there that it qualifies as psychotic, no, it should not be a factor at work. If an accountant wants to spend his spare time seeking UFOs or if someone feels the U.S. would be better off if they'd lost the war with the Confederacy, they shouldn't be fired.
Doubt if that would be a fireable offense. (although if I was the employer and read something like that, I'd doubt the sanity of that employee!) The OP should've given us an example. Otherwise it's impossible to discuss whether or not firing is warranted.
Yes, they should never be allowed to make discriminatory remarks against Christian white Conservatives...never, or did you have something else in mind? No discriminatory remarks against anyone?
I remember during orientation at American Airlines, the question was asked, "Is it OK if we have a part-time job?" The answer was, "It's fine... as long as your employment here isn't a factor. For example, if you wanna be a stripper on the weekends, nobody here cares, as long as you don't wear your AA insignia pin while you're performing." Sounded reasonable to me.
"...some discriminatory remark..."? That would mean, for liberals such as you, virtually anyone who wrote anything could be fired. Let me ask, if someone said that they believed property owners, even businesses, have a right to say who can be on their property regardless of race. Would that be a offense in your mind that warranted firing?
I didn't answer the pole because it's not as simple as "Yes" or "No", It depends upon the nature of an opinion expressed, where it's expressed, and the employees agreement with the employer regarding conduct outside of work. If the employee signs an agreement that he/she won't say offensive things that could make the employer look bad outside of work and he/she doesn't follow that agreement he could be fired. Different places have different policies, just be aware of what it is where you work and you should be good. I understand employers letting go of employees who make asses of themselves on facebook or elsewhere, it can reflect poorly on the employer and be bad for business.
Depends on if it effects the customer. If John Doe is working for ACME that produces widgets, and John Doe's controversial opinion is somehow connected to ACME, and customers buy less ACME widgets because of it, of course he should be fired.
I think it's wrong that companies are so able to get into the personal lives of their employees. That's the real issue. Unfortunately the internet creates a situation where they can and do. We are all slaves to human resources thanks to all these supposedly freeing social media... and non-involvement isn't a saving grace, as many employers like to see that you have a Facebook account (allegedly because your behavior shows some traits... but let's face it-- it's because they can monitor you easier and look for reasons to get rid of you).
I've heard about employers scouting through FB to do a character check on a possible employee. My question is what did they do before SM? Most people's FB are set to private, and if you are a woman who uses both maiden and married name, you'll be hard to find. In a way, they are the ones wasting their time.
