Is freedom of speech unconditional? What happens when employers attempt to limit that freedom?
Barry: Americans cherish free speech as a birthright. Employers cherish the freedom to manage their workforce as they please. I’m concerned about what happens when the two collide. Pressures to protect brands, cope with uncertain markets, and maximize financial results lead many firms to be reflexively suspicious of otherwise harmless worker speech. Sfakiyanudis: As an employer, it comes down to time and place. Employers recognize that the demand on an employee to put in more time at the office requires them to be more flexible with regard to Web browsing, online shopping, and communicating via instant messages. However, when an employee takes advantage of this flexibility, the entire enterprise suffers. Barry: The moderation you articulate masks difficult choices. If the only issues were recreational browsing and online shopping, it would be easy to strike a middle ground. But the hard problems involve political and religious speech, community activism, and professional identity. Many
