4 ms·

How is that fair to employees at Google that are conservative? What obligation do you think that a company should have to respect the political leanings of its

by nkurz 8y ago

How is that fair to employees at Google that are conservative? What obligation do you think that a company should have to respect the political leanings of its employees? While it might be in a company's self-interest not to alienate talented employees with minority political beliefs, do you believe it should be forbidden for the company to "choose sides"?

nodesocket 8y ago
Just as liberals like to promote social justice, I think it's not fair to conservatives that are harassed, outed, and unfairly represented. Since when is it ok for a company to hold a political rally?
- jayd16 8y ago
  Not that I agree but certainly since the Citizens United ruling.
- nkurz 8y ago
  Since when is it ok for a company to hold a political rally? There are at least two separate angles, legal and moral. I'm certainly not aware of all the laws, but I think 'jayd16' in the sibling is right that it's been definitely legal under federal law for a company to express support for a particular party or candidate at least since the Citizen's United decision. California state law may override this with regard to a "rally" with it's "hostile workplace" laws, but I don't think there is clear precedent. This seems like reasonable overview article on the legal situation: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2016/10/21/what-your-boss-can-and-cant-do-when-it-comes-to-politics-at-work/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2016/10... Morally, I personally view it mostly from the angle of "free association". For me, if a group of people who run a company want to express their support for a candidate, they should be allowed to do so even if not all the employees agree. If the group's goal is primarily monetary, I'd expect that they'd avoid alienating employees because of their political beliefs, but I don't think it should be forbidden for them to have other priorities, even if it causes certain employees to feel unwelcome. This isn't great, but it's better (in my mind) than the alternative of forcing the larger group to silence themselves. I was asking you what your thoughts were on it, because currently the usual pairing is "conservative" and "pro-Citizen's United". You seem to be pro-conservative (or at least concerned about the treatment of conservative employees) but against allowing corporations to express political preference. Thus I was wondering where the lines are for you.

by nkurz 8y ago

nodesocket 8y ago

Just as liberals like to promote social justice, I think it's not fair to conservatives that are harassed, outed, and unfairly represented. Since when is it ok for a company to hold a political rally?

jayd16 8y ago
Not that I agree but certainly since the Citizens United ruling.
nkurz 8y ago
Since when is it ok for a company to hold a political rally? There are at least two separate angles, legal and moral. I'm certainly not aware of all the laws, but I think 'jayd16' in the sibling is right that it's been definitely legal under federal law for a company to express support for a particular party or candidate at least since the Citizen's United decision. California state law may override this with regard to a "rally" with it's "hostile workplace" laws, but I don't think there is clear precedent. This seems like reasonable overview article on the legal situation: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2016/10/21/what-your-boss-can-and-cant-do-when-it-comes-to-politics-at-work/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2016/10... Morally, I personally view it mostly from the angle of "free association". For me, if a group of people who run a company want to express their support for a candidate, they should be allowed to do so even if not all the employees agree. If the group's goal is primarily monetary, I'd expect that they'd avoid alienating employees because of their political beliefs, but I don't think it should be forbidden for them to have other priorities, even if it causes certain employees to feel unwelcome. This isn't great, but it's better (in my mind) than the alternative of forcing the larger group to silence themselves. I was asking you what your thoughts were on it, because currently the usual pairing is "conservative" and "pro-Citizen's United". You seem to be pro-conservative (or at least concerned about the treatment of conservative employees) but against allowing corporations to express political preference. Thus I was wondering where the lines are for you.