Damage control (for a business or organization) VS freedom of speech

[Aunt Spiker]

In the recent case of Juan and NPR, when you cut to the quick, what happened was damage control (founded or unfounded - not the issue in this thread) but none the less it was damage control VS his freedom of speech.

Using that type of scenario in mind (but not just focusing on the details of his situation):

At what point, if any, does a company's damage control trump one's employment rights when it comes to their voicing of personal opinions?

How many unsettling and disruptive issues can occur - where the management at the employees company, though not sanctioning or encouraging the employees views, is questioned before it becomes legitimate grounds for dismissal?

How much should a company tolerate when an employee ripples the waters and brings scrutiny, disruption and trouble to that company *unintentionally* (that means: the employee said something NOT about or related to the company - but it was painted TO the company, negatively, anyway)

 

[MaggieD]

In the recent case of Juan and NPR, when you cut to the quick, what happened was damage control (founded or unfounded - not the issue in this thread) but none the less it was damage control VS his freedom of speech.

Using that type of scenario in mind (but not just focusing on the details of his situation):

At what point, if any, does a company's damage control trump one's employment rights when it comes to their voicing of personal opinions?

How many unsettling and disruptive issues can occur - where the management at the employees company, though not sanctioning or encouraging the employees views, is questioned before it becomes legitimate grounds for dismissal?

How much should a company tolerate when an employee ripples the waters and brings scrutiny, disruption and trouble to that company *unintentionally* (that means: the employee said something NOT about or related to the company - but it was painted TO the company, negatively, anyway)

If one is covered by a contract, those issues are clearly spelled out. If one is not covered by a contract, it's fire at will. Without a contract (unless one is a government employee and the issue is campaining or other political activity) anything's legitimate grounds for dismissal.