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Last week's firing of NPR correspondent Juan Williams was a hot topic in media circles, with a wide range of opinions on Williams' initial comment about Muslims and whether or not his right to free speech was violated. Personally, while I found Williams' statement to be both hateful and puzzlingly stereotypical, I didn't think that comment in and of itself was worthy of Williams losing his job. NPR nonetheless fired Williams quicker than you can say "a three year/$2 million Fox News contract extension," and a much richer Williams is now some sort of odd hero to the very conservatives who typically scream bloody murder every time he defends Obama on Fox News.
Only in America.
Still, this situation did raise an interesting point that relates to all of us with a day job and a mortgage. Namely, how can us regular people negotiate the thin line between expressing our personal opinions and respecting the rules of our employers?
Most employers have published standards of acceptable conduct. There are all sorts of legal disclaimers in the employment contracts that most of us sign (and seldom read) when agreeing to accept a job offer. These standards cover the obvious things (drug use, felony convictions), and in today's cyber-driven society, increasingly provide guidelines for social media usage. People have been fired for badmouthing their bosses on Facebook, fishing for jobs on LinkedIn, and sending obscene Tweets. And yes, in case you're wondering, employees have been fired for comments posted on blogs.
In short, anything you say (or type) can be used against you by your employers -- even if giving opinions (as in Juan Williams' case) is actually your day job. If those opinions violate the terms of your main gig, you are out of luck. Of course you could always file suit if you feel you were unfairly terminated, but thus far Williams has made no mention of such an impending action. His new $2 million gig is a good reason. But for the average person, it probably won't be worth the money or hassle.
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Given Williams' history of making oddball comments on Fox News, it's fair to say that this incident wasn't the sole reason for NPR firing him, merely the final nail in the coffin. Another employee with an otherwise spotless track record likely would have gotten away with a suspension. Yet, while Williams emerged from his situation much richer (although probably not wiser), the same rules probably don't apply to the rest of us.
The Juan Williams incident teaches us this: Be careful what you say. Or type. Today there is no privacy, so "freedom of speech" as it has been defined by many in the workplace, is a thing of the past.
Jay Anderson is a freelance writer from Washington, DC, whose work has been featured in the Washington Post and on NPR. When he's not busy talking smack here, he runs the award-winning blog AverageBro.com. Follow him via Twitter @AverageBro.
Comments: (17)
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By: ooozzzzz on 10/27/2010 5:24PM
Quote from article: "Namely, how can us regular people negotiate the thin line between expressing our personal opinions and respecting the rules of our employers?"
How do you negotitate the thin line?..by reading, asking needed questions and understanding the guidelines, rules and regulations of the organization that you work for.
You can't cry ignorance.
When anyone is employed, especially in a corporate organization, you are required to read (unless you did not) and sign a document or series of documents regarding the rules and regulations of that organization, no different than the people who are employed by Blackvoices or anywhere else (nd that may also include regular training) so Juan Williams, who was employed ny NPR for 10+ years, read (hopefully) and signed those documents upon employment and who also has been warned several times over the years by his boss about straddling the line, knew this and can't plead ignorance.
People need to remember, the organization that you work for make the rules, you don't and if they feel the need to fire you for non compliance with their guidelines, rules and regulations, then so be it, wait for your two weeks pay, look fr another job and and stop crying.
The only difference here is that Juan Williams got lucky, a three year, 2 million dollar bailout safety net by Fox News and if Fox News, who Mr. Williams only works part-time for as a political analysts, did not save him, he would be on his knees begging the Muslim world for forgiveness for his comments.
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By: Brady on 10/27/2010 7:01PM
Well thank God for Fox News, for HELPING THE BROTHER OUT!
I guess it could be worse, he could be on some 3rd rate network like BET or TVone, sandwiched between reruns of the jeffersons and sanford and son.
i hope he is thankful, he is being seen be millions, instead of hundreds.
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By: zhijzh on 10/27/2010 9:23PM
Still, this situation did raise an interesting point that relates to all of us with a day job and a mortgage. Namely, how can us regular people negotiate the thin line between expressing our personal opinions and respecting the rules of our employers?I am an Air Force and single at present .I need a woman who can love me back ..I also uploaded my hot photos on Uniformedmingle .c om under the name of hoho212..It's the largest and best club for seeking Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Police Force, and the admirers of those who wear the uniform.I just hope you don't mind me being a soldier ...Please Check it out!I'm serious.
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By: ACA on 10/27/2010 5:57PM
This is a Racist TV Station in Orlando, Fl. As a Black American, we enjoy the Family Fued, because of Steve Harvey, a Black American. However, this station decided that it would take the game show off and put on Inside Edition with Racist Tea Party Republican's Leaders being prejudice as always. I am a believer of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God,that was, is and will be. Therefore, it is Time for the Change. Controlling the Airwaves is Wrong and has been that way for Too Long. This is Fox's way of not showing Black Americans in a positive mode, because they are Old Hateful White Americans against Black Americans that have a African American President that needs All the People that voted him in for A Change to vote for His Party, Now.
The Black Americans that are believers in Christ need to show up in record numbers for this most important Election in our History. We are voting to Tell the World that Black Americans are the Right People, we will not be mistreated any longer. Speak Up Black Americans against the racism that you are experiencing everyday, such as: keeping your mouth close about the Evil that is tolerated, in order to continue to recieve Money on those jobs to pay the Bills, accepting Not being picked up in cabs in New York, told to go Pick Cotton in Alabama to a CouncilMan, the War on Drugs, is really a system to lock up Black Americans, Unemployment among us is highest, because some places are getting rid of Blacks, while maintaining Whites, and there are many other Racial problems in America that God has brought us through and The Lord is still in Control. Our Black Forepersons fought, bled and died for this Election, because it is Good verse Bad, Right against Wrong, The Republicians are Wrong and the Democrats are Right. For Everyone Else, choose you this day which side are you on? Florida,as the past elections, we have the Spotlight, it's Meeks' time, sorry Charlie, (you will be President someday).Let us Black Americans give The President his Faith back, which he gave up while fighting to become. He can Speak Up for Jesus Christ again. Thank You. ACA
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By: detmem on 10/27/2010 6:41PM
Freedom of speech has never existed in the workplace. The right to freedom of speech as granted by the Constitution means that the government can not silence your freedom of speech, it doesn't mean that there will not be consequences for what you say. You can say what you want to about anyone, the government isn't going to come and arrest you, however, you may close your jobs or even be shunned by your friends as a result.
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By: Charles on 10/27/2010 6:49PM
BV where to you get these writers. The use of hyperbole must be a prerequisite for getting on BV.
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By: Jay on 10/27/2010 11:12PM
Charles, the post titles are always extra provocative, and meant to draw you in. The post itself isn't exactly loaded with hyperbole.
I'm sure you'll correct me if you deem this statement wrong. I personally think the post itself is fairly nuanced.
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By: smittyboy on 10/27/2010 7:34PM
Sinse when have there ever been freedom of speach anywhere i America??!!!
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By: Ayo Ashanti on 10/27/2010 8:15PM
There has always only been limited "freedom of speech" in the workplace. Everyone that is employed on the lower stratas of the organization know that. With all the snitching and talebearing that goes on in most organizations, you have to keep your mouth shut. Now, people that are being paid very, very well are being directly impacted. How could they think they would be exempt?
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By: dre on 10/27/2010 9:24PM
It just so happened that I had donated to NPR without knowing that they had fired the former NPR analyst. Too bad I didn't know before that or I would have increased the donation. I have never cared for the opinions of the former NPR analyst. Each time I hear those opinions, it reminds me of the gentlemen with the funny mustache who had the chair broken over his big nose for running his mouth too much.
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