Johnny C. Taylor Jr. is working on your HR questions as part of the USA Today series. Taylor is the world’s largest HR professional society and the president and CEO of the Human Resources Management Association, author of “Reset: A Guide to Leaders to Work in an Era of Trending Times.”
Do you have a question? Please send it here.
question: recently, I’ve heard stories about people who encourage businesses to fire employees for comment on social media and on the workplace political topic. Someone anonymously reported one of my friends to her company about what she said about Charlie Kirk’s shooting. Can businesses fire people for political statements and beliefs? – Earrings
Answer: 1) Employees are free to hold and share political beliefs, 2) Employers have the right not to hire workers and to fire workers, especially in a state of “will” when those beliefs and their way of expression disrupt the workplace.
The reality is that most companies do not make such decisions based on what their employees believe, but they are based on how their actions are reflected in the organization and affect others. That’s not about having an opinion. It’s about treating colleagues with respect and contributing to a cohesive, productive environment.
Workplace courtesy is important. Apathy costs more than $2 billion each day employers due to loss of productivity, turnover and absence. From a business perspective, it’s much easier to let go of one destructive employee than constantly mediating a conflict.
The workplace does not need to reflect the departments that appear on social media or cable news. Employers have both the right and the responsibility to protect a respectful civic culture. Therefore, while firing workers solely for statements or beliefs may be myopic, businesses can take action when their employees’ actions erode trust, respect, or cooperation. Courtesy is more than just manners – it’s good business.
The opinions and opinions expressed in this column are the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of USA Today.
