#Should employees speak up about their company’s silence on racial injustice?

“#Should employees speak up about their company’s silence on racial injustice?”

July 19, 2020 | 10:30am

I’ve enjoyed your column for years but am stunned with your response to the person who wants to try to force their employer to make a statement about racial injustice. This person has the freedom of speech and is entitled to their own thoughts but doesn’t have the right to tell others what to say or think, personally, in business or otherwise. If there is workplace discrimination, laws are in place, as you’ve advised. So this one person, because they don’t like their company’s choice, is entitled to go after them and force them to think their way?

In a word: yes. Employees have the right to try to influence their employer to action, in a professional manner. Many workplace changes throughout history have been as a result of employees speaking up. When they do, companies have the right to listen and take action, or choose not to. I told this particular employee that, if they feel strongly about this matter, they could professionally make their case to whoever is in charge. Whether or not the employer takes action is up to them. I don’t have to agree with what every employee wants, but I will always advocate for their voices to be heard.

I’m curious. What happens to people who are in the news for doing things such as pulling a gun on a couple in a parking lot, or a white man following a black woman in her car, in her own neighborhood? What happens when their employers see this? Do they keep their jobs?

Well, I think there have been many examples of people in the news caught doing really stupid things, where it has subsequently been reported that they have lost their jobs. Generally, most people are employed “at-will” which means you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all, just not for any reason protected under the law. Stupidity is not a protected reason, and your conduct outside of work is not protected, either. You have the right to any personal beliefs and feelings, but if you make them known, and your employer feels those beliefs offend or damage the credibility and reputation of the business, they have the right to say they don’t want to employ you.

Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. E-mail your questions to [email protected]. Follow Greg on Twitter: @greggiangrande and at GoToGreg.com, dedicated to helping New Yorkers get back to work.