Free Speech in the American Workplace

From the Dawn of Workers' Rights to the Rise of Social Media

Free Speech in the American Workplace cover

Free Speech in the American Workplace

From the Dawn of Workers' Rights to the Rise of Social Media

Description

This book examines the legal and ethical issues that can result when employees express opinions that conflict with those of their employer. It covers seven areas of employment - corporate; government (local, state, and federal); military; law enforcement; K-12 education; college professors and administrators; and sports - to look at case precedent and interrogate how technology has complicated this area of the law and employee-employer relations. Randy Bobbitt argues that, while free speech in the workplace has always been considered controversial, the phenomena of social media has coincided with a sharp increase in cases over the past decade, as disgruntled employees take to online forums to criticize their employers or express controversial opinions. By exploring these cases in both the private and public sectors, Bobbitt also highlights the difference in legal obligation to the protection of free speech between the two and demonstrates how employers in both sectors deviate from these obligations in certain cases. Scholars of communication, media law, labor law, US policy, history, and the first amendment will find this book of particular interest.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Legal Framework: The First Amendment, Whistleblowing, and Unionization
Chapter 2: Social Media and the Twenty-First Century Watercooler
Chapter 3: Free Speech in Corporate America: Robust Discussion vs. Office Harmony
Chapter 4: Free Speech for Government Employees: Public Concern vs. Personal Grievances
Chapter 5: Free Speech in the Military: Personal Expression vs. the Doctrine of Military Necessity
Chapter 6: Free Speech for First Responders: Personal Expression vs. Public Confidence
Chapter 7: Free Speech for K-12 Educators: Political Participation vs. Political and Legal Considerations
Chapter 8: Free Speech for College Educators: Academic Freedom vs. Political and Legal Considerations
Chapter 9: Free Speech in Sports: Fan Engagement vs. Locker Room Harmony
References
About the Author

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published 10 Jul 2025
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 330
ISBN 9781666951097
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Randy Bobbitt

Randy Bobbitt is an independent researcher and hol…

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