My boss just forbade me to be politically active...

[Jeebo]

I work for a newspaper and he says we've all got to strive to maintain both the appearance and the reality of impartiality and fairness and objectivity. This means no participation in political organizations, rallies or demonstrations, no political bumper stickers or yard signs, no contributions to political candidates or organizations. About the only things I can do are vote and read about politics. I feel like I have suddenly been turned into a political eunuch. I have bumper stickers all over my car that I now am going to have to remove, and a Kerry-Edwards yard sign that is going to have to come down, and I'm going to have to stop making monthly donations to MoveOn.org and the Kerry campaign. I understand his point of view, but I really think it's unfair to impose these kinds of restrictions on my private life just because I happen to work for a newspaper. I will always strive to be impartial during the performance of my duties at work, but isn't that impossible in the real world anyway? Anybody is going to be affected unconsciously or consciously by his ideology and worldview, so the reality of perfect impartiality is an impossible ideal anyway. That leaves the appearance of impartiality. This is why I'm not going to argue about the bumper stickers or yard signs. But I am going to argue with him about the private political donations. I'm thinking about how to go about that. And if he won't budge on that issue, because I really do love and value my job above almost anything else I have, I am SO LUCKY and SO GRATEFUL to have a pretty good job in the Bush economy, so if he won't budge on the donations issue, I will abide by what he says ... sort of. I'm trying to think of other ways of continuing to contribute to MoveOn.org, because I want them to keep those wonderful Bush-bashing ads coming, and to the Kerry campaign, because I SO want them to win in November. But I will have to find a surreptitious way of doing that. No more online credit-card contributions or checks in the mail, because those have my name attached to them. I could give the money to a friend and ask them to donate the money for me, but it would be hard for me to find somebody whom I know I can trust not just to pocket the cash. Or perhaps I could go to the Democratic campaign headquarters, buy a bumper sticker or lapel button, and pay for it with a $100 bill and decline to accept the change, telling them I want the change to go to the Kerry campaign.

This all started when I inquired about what happened to a San Francisco Chronicle editor who had contributed about $400 to the Kerry campaign. He was suspended from his job because that paper also apparently has a policy that its staff members are not supposed to be politically active. I asked my boss about this case because I worried that this might happen to me. I should have just kept my mouth shut. Here's a link to the story about the S.F. Chronicle editor:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040721/media_nm/politics_kerry_journalist_dc

Ron

[ThomWV]

1. Your Own Hatch Act

I work for the Federal Government, and am covered by the Hatch Act. Sounds like you have it worse than we do.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

7. what are the penalties for violating the hatch act....and isn't it only...

for employees of the executive branch?

[charlyvi]

23. I work for the Fed Govt

I can be politically active outside of work, but cannot use my position, or the agency I work for in a political way (Social Security supports Kerry/Edwards, etc, nor can I express support for any particular candidate in the performance of my job. I think the penalty is job termination if the offense is egregious enough. Bushco* ignored these rules on the various govt web sites--Treasury, Labor, for example. It's a good rule, I think, to keep the civil service above politics--and in breaking the rule, Bushco* is showing their contempt for our democracy and the taxpayers of this country.

[LSU_Subversive]

46. I used to work for the Dept of Health & Hospitals

and was not permitted to put up signs, stickers, etc. Apparently this sort of policy applies to most, if not all, public service positions. I think.

[Kanary]

2. Y'know, if we still had the Fairness Doctrine, and a free press

I would see the rationale in his pronouncement.

Given that the press cheerleads for the "Dark Side", seems to me that all bets, or rules, are off.

That really sucks, Ron....... I feel for ya...

:hug:

Kanary

[bobbieinok]

3. are Hannity et al banned from political action?????

I realize that a local newspaper is different than TV, radio media that thrives on being controversial

[Baltimoreboy]

40. Hannity is a commentator

And a moron, but commentators are allowed their opinions.

The problem is the news people are supposed to be fair.

[suegeo]

70. I don't understand the term "journalist" anymore, then

Bob Novak outs a CIA agent, and doesn't need to reveal his sources (that is, who told him Plame was CIA) because he is a journalist.

However, he is clearly a conservative shill, just like Hannity.

So why does Novak get protection as a journalist, yet still be able to spout conservative/republican shit all the time on CNN?

And so, this Ron dude of the original post cannot be political, but a traitor like Novak can?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. "My boss just forbade me to be politically active..."

I work for a newspaper and he says we've all got to strive to maintain both the appearance and the reality of impartiality and fairness and objectivity. This means no participation in political organizations, rallies or demonstrations, no political bumper stickers or yard signs, no contributions to political candidates or organizations.<<

Switch sides and get a job with Faux Snooze. They would prolly pay you to be politically active weekends, holidays and probably on your B-Day as well..... just a thought that probably isn't too far off the mark since their employees already do it during working hours... on prime time.. on the television.... tell me if I am lying.

[lostnfound]

63. Keeps large #s of educated liberals from organizing..

Newsrooms would be hotbeds of political discontent. Campuses already are/were. Places where ideas matter, and people have the opportunity to learn what's going on.

I wonder if your managing editors or the publisher gives money to campaigns.

[roguevalley]

5. call the aclu. if fox can do it, so can you.

[stavka]

11. great advice if you want to get fired.

[Baltimoreboy]

41. Free press

Rules like this are designed to foster a free press, not harm one. And I don't see he has any complaints as long as this employer enforces the rules equally.

[Solly Mack]

6. My husband has to be real careful as well

He can't be seen in or driving a car with a political bumper sticker while in uniform....or anything that can be construed as political while in uniform...alas, Bush supporters are getting away with this...the reason we were given? "he's the current CINC." and Yes, I've made complaints...written and otherwise.


So I wear the anti-Bush t-shirts. I drive the bumper-sticker-mobile. I make any donations.

[stavka]

13. Is he a cop or fireman?

If he is a public uniformed figure I think this is great law.

Or would you rather police officers be able to wear Elephant pins?

[NMDemDist2]

8. what is your job? if you are a reporter or editior I must agree with

your boss.

if on the other hand, you drive a truck, screw him

[stavka]

9. Your boss has the right to tell you to do anything he wants...

Unless he violates the law (or a contract) if you don't listen, that's tough. That's the world you live in.

However, most bosses don't know what you are doing if they can't see you. You can do a lot that isn't public, hell, "they" do it all the time.

[RummyTheDummy]

10. I work for a newspaper as well

And I more or less agree ONLY if you're covering politics. If not, then I don't see what the big deal is.

I have a W with a slash through it sticker in my cubicle and because I'm not involved in political coverage, I don't get much grief. Still, when we have vistors in the office, people we deal with in the community, sometimes I wonder if it should be up there. I don't want to perpetuate the myth of the liberal media.

I guess it's a slippery slope. I do remember even my liberal J-School professors preaching against being active in politics if you're covering politics.

[gauguin57]

51. Everyone needs to make his or her own decision about the cubicle ...

... but I made sure I NEVER had anything that showed my politics in my former newspaper cubicle. And I didn't cover politics.

We had politicos and town fathers (and mothers) walking through the office all the time, for interviews and such ... and if someone has a pro- or anti-anyone sticker in his or her cubicle, it reflects on the whole office. That's the way it is. Next time the paper publishes an editorial criticizing some political figure or party, the person who saw that pro- or anti- sticker in the office will tell a bunch of people, and suddently it's "well, you know the paper is against Bush," or whatever.

I'm surprised a newspaper office allows you to keep that in your cubicle. ... when a picture of the local right-wing congressman with a "clever caption" under it would be floating around the newsroom, it would have a shelf life of about 30 seconds in my former newsroom. That's just not permitted. Like I say in my post below: When you become a newspaper journalist -- regardless of your beat -- you must follow the ethics policy of your paper.

Fortunately for me ... at least temporarily ... I'm not a working journalist, so I have a few months during which I can actually campaign for Kerry!!!

[Marvelous_Smarty]

12. I have forbidden my employees also...

from any obvious support or campaigning at work. They may have a sticker on their cars (there are two Bush/Cheney Stickers and one Kerry sticker among them). But no pins on their shirts or posters up at work either. When they are off work I don't care what they do. I have a Kerry sticker on my Hummer, but I rare drive it to work since I ride my motorcycle to work everyday.

[bobbieinok]

14. I see your point.......you want customers, whatever their politics

makes sense

[Marvelous_Smarty]

16. I am something of a local hero here.

When I came back shortly after healing from Somalia, I was given a big welcome. When "Blackhawk Down" came out on DVD, I was the guest of honor at a special screening at a local church and actually signed autographs.

A lot of local vets (we had a local WW1 vet die this year at 103) like to frequent my place and trade war stories over iced tea. Most of these vets are great guys but very conservative in their politcal beliefs. I try to keep my politics as neutral as possible here.

I have an American flag up inside my place of business along with my medals and photos of my squad with the First President Bush, me with General Norman Schwarzkopf and my black Ranger Beret. My ex-wife has my photo of President Bill Clinton pinning my Purple Heart on my pillow at Walter Reed and won't give it back.

[sandnsea]

29. Your country needs you again

If you believe Bush is the worst thing that's ever happened to this country, you have an obligation to speak out. That's what your service is all about. When John Kerry says "we may be a little older, we may be a little grayer, but we still know how to fight for our country", he's talking about YOU. I can't believe you'd hide your concern for this country because you might offend some local vets. You might just be surprised, some of those vets may have been waiting for somebody to speak up FOR Kerry for a long time. I live in a retirement town and alot of old WWII vets around here are horrified by Bush. We threw our business interests aside and publicly support Kerry. I'm a little disappointed that a proud veteran wouldn't do the same.

[Marvelous_Smarty]

32. Oh we have some spirited debates here.

But they are usually between these guys. I stay neutral or out of it completely. Like I said, this is my place of business and really not the place for me to choose or show what side I am REALLY on. All I gain is alienate one side or the other.

I am pretty disappointed in Kerry as a candidate, though I will vote for him. The Democrats basically defaulted on this election last year when Bush looked completely unbeatable and decided to offer a sacrificial lamb. Now Bush looks beatable and Kerry is all we have.
Our party blew a great opportunity by being timid.

THIS is the year Hillary could have won, though last year it had looked like no one had a chance. If only the Democrats had had the courage to send their biggest guns into the foray.

[sandnsea]

34. Hillary???

I think you're giving yourself away. Hillary, right. :eyes:

[Marvelous_Smarty]

36. I am serious.

The "Anyone but Bush" vote is pretty set. Even hardcore Democrats are not too thrilled with Kerry. If not for the anti-Bush vote, what would the polls look like now?

I am not saying that Hillary would win by landslide, but for the love of God, if Kerry, Kerry of all people can pull this out, how much better would Hillary have done.

[Lerkfish]

39. deleted

deleted on my own, thought better

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Marvelous_Smarty]

47. Really?

I get that alot.

[Suzi Creamcheese]

61. I have heard this from a lot of people, but it seems like the

candidate has already been selected and all that is left is the formal nomination so get used to Kerry.

[latebloomer]

15. WHAT?!?

That is totally absurd and UNACCEPTABLE!

How would your boss know about what credit card donations you make from your private computer? I can understand not wearing buttons at work--maybe--and even about the bumper stickers, though I think that crosses the line-- but yard signs on your HOUSE? And I just can't believe the donations part.

Me, I would do whatever I pleased in my private life, then sue the shit out of them if I got fired. This CAN'T be legal.

[leyton]

33. Donations are public record.

You can find out if somebody's donated - it's available on the net, in fact.

[Straight Shooter]

37. Donate with a money order. Make it anonymous.

It isn't tax deductible, anyway, so you can follow your conscience and follow the rules, too.

[gauguin57]

53. That is the perfect solution

... make it an anonymous donation. The point is not to allow the APPEARANCE of being partial. If no one knows you made the donation, no one can accuse you of subjectivity.

[Massacure]

17. Call the Kerry Campaign or a local lawyer

Ask them if that is legal.

[Cleita]

18. He has a right to demand impartiality, fairness and objectivity

on the job. Off the job, he's way out of line.

[gatlingforme]

20. The newspapers around here are so partial to the Rebublicans

it's disgusting. I agree with the person's boss on this. I wish all newspapers were that way.

[Cleita]

25. I disagree. The minute your boss tries to tell you how to think

on your own time, it becomes slavery. Your job gets your body and mind for whatever time they pay you for, not one minute more.

[Cleita]

26. Also, what if they told you how to dress on your time, or

what color your hair can be and so on, I don't think you would consider it right.

[gatlingforme]

58. I understand what you are saying. I think if my neighbor was a

reporter for a local paper then decided to campaign for a specific person, or support a local politician, state, national, I would be a little leary of any kind of reporting he did against the people he/sh supported and more than likely would not buy the paper because of that reason. IMO

[FighttheFuture]

24. He has a righgt to demand that in the work you produce... your private...

life is your own... Fuck him!! Look into his affairs and when you find something... out him!

[Baltimoreboy]

42. No he's not

This is a common newspaper rule from what media people tell me. And it should be, if it is enforced fairly.

[truebrit71]

19. Unless you are involved in editorializing, or in reporting about

politics for your newspaper there should be no concerns WHATSOEVER about your political affiliations, your boss has no right to tell you what/how/where you choose to be politically active on your own time.

At work he has every right, but lawn signs? On-line donations from your home? I don't think so...

[FighttheFuture]

21. FUCK THEM!! Donate through proxies... friends, families, etc.

[FighttheFuture]

22. Research your boss, and above... when you find something, and you ...

will, out them anonymously!!

[HFishbine]

35. Yes. Do this!

Make sure your boss isn't silencing you while he's skirting his own rules.

http://www.tray.com/cgi-win/indexhtml.exe?MBF=NAME

Check your state races too.

[sbj405]

27. Give donations in small amounts

I've noticed that my smaller donations(< $100) do not appear on the websites. I would also ask for a company policy in writing to make sure you aren't being targeted. Seems a little messed up if you ask me. What organizations are acceptable and what are not? What about people giving to churches? * is surely blurring the line between religion and politics.

Sorry that you have to deal with this. I'm a fed employee, so I have some restrictions, but nothing like what you are dealing with.

Also, giving money via someone else is illegal as I read it.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

28. Sounds like Barry Bingham Jr & the old Louisville Times & C-J

Barry B used to own the papers (and a TV & radio station), and he had a similar non-involvement policy, as he wanted his reporters to be as objective as possible on the storys they covered (tho the paper had a very liberal Democratic op-ed page).

[frankly_fedup2]

30. I look at that as really small potatoes cause once you are off

their property and no longer being paid for your time, you are free to do what you want.

Also, where it is the most important, when you vote, he cannot tell you what to do.

[Baltimoreboy]

43. Yes he can

Most states let you fire employees for almost anything. Many news media have written policies regarding political activism. If you violate those, you violate ethical guidelines and can and will be fired.

[frankly_fedup2]

54. Are these universal policies or does it matter just who you

are working for? I mean did you sign anything and agree to those policies.

I really do not understand how the media works as far as impartiality.

I mean there is the site that shows who donated what to what party and Lou Dobbs is on there for donating $1000 to the Republicans, which I found surprising because he came across (to me that is) as a possible Democrat. What about that?

[Baltimoreboy]

62. I don't think anything is universal about the media

It seems to be a pretty individualistic industry. But the recent scandals have caused a large push on ethics that seems to be pretty popular from what I read.

[politicat]

31. I'm really confused about the money thing....

But I will have to find a surreptitious way of doing that. No more online credit-card contributions or checks in the mail, because those have my name attached to them. I could give the money to a friend and ask them to donate the money for me, but it would be hard for...

Okay, Jeebo, I don't know who you are, but here are a couple of things I'm finding a little strange with your boss's position. I am not clear how your boss would have access to your private financial records unless you give them to him. That said, I'll give you a way around it.

First, AFAIK, MoveOn does not sell their donor list; they have sent me a couple "please contribute" emails since my last contribution to them, but no postal mail from them, and they don't seem to be handing out the list right and left (unlike a couple of pro-choice organizations I could name...). So I'm confused about how your boss is going to find out what you're contributing to in your own time at home from your home address. Does your boss check your mail? Are you in such a small town that the letter carrier gossips about your junk mail? Or are you so incredibly public that any liberal organization is going to get really excited if you send them money? If you can't answer yes to any of those, then I don't see where your private mail should be an issue.

Second, AFAIK, MoveOn does not publish their donor list - they don't have a virtual wall of fame. So no one at MoveOn is going to contact anyone else and share the news that Jeebo sent out a 100 dollar check. All it does is get you on their fundraising list, and if you give them the wrong address or ask that they not send you anything, again, it's no big deal. In non-profits, we're happy to accommodate by not sending material - and set up a yahoo or gmail address so you don't have to worry about it coming to your work email address.

Third, if you really want to donate your money to some organization and your boss somehow has access to your Visa bills and checkbook (and if he does, that's creepy) and you really don't want the money going through your checking account or Visa card, hit an ATM, then go buy a money order and a stamp at the post office. Drop the envelope with the MO in it in the deposit box. You keep the stub, you get the tax writeoff, if any. Feel free to leave the "From" section blank, or attribute it to whomever it would be most embarrassing....

Fourth, unless you're someone far more notable than the average, the fact is no one outside of your local community (and very few within it, in all likelihood) is going to care whether you donate to anyone or not. And if you keep your own mouth shut about what you're doing in your off hours and don't agitate in your local community, it won't be an issue.

If you're a reporter or editor, then yes, you must be careful not to make the news. Your job is to report it factually. You do have to be neutral within your local community, and of course, you can't become publicly associated with any issue even outside of your community. So obviously, getting arrested three states over is not an option. But quiet, private, discreet donations, writings under a nom de plume that cannot be traced to you, and the like are things you can do.

The watchword is discretion. Keeping your mouth shut about things you do in your private, off hours. Not bringing your checkbook to work. Not bringing your Visa statement to work. And yes, leaving the stickers off and the signs down. You can still assist discreetly - money, handwritten letters if the campaigns are doing so and signed with a nom de plume, other ways.

If you're a writer - and since I count the above as venting, I'm not entirely sure you're not - you can always blog/write etc from behind an assumed identity. Everyone else is doing it.

Good luck.

Pcat (who also must keep her private and political life very separate from work, and has had similar issues in the past....)

[Lerkfish]

38. welcome to my world...

I started a thread about this in the lounge. there were some good suggestions around it.

one I recalled was to contribute via nameless money order.


My newspaper editor also issued an email edict today saying the same thing in vague, yet threatening terms. (we don't work at the same paper, do we?)

[Joe Fields]

44. My boss jumped me for having Kerrry bumper stickers.

He also told me that I should be thankful for the Bush tax cuts because I wouldn't have been hired otherwise. I then proceeded to educate him on the far-reaching ramifications of those cuts and how they are hurting America. Once I hit him with numerous facts and figures I shut him up. I made sure to provide him with links to all pertinent information.

[TankLV]

48. How come this was never an issue before?

Like during the run-up to the "war", and when the idiot was "popular" or during Clinton's terms?

Isn't it curious that just NOW, when it looks like Kerry will win BIGTIME, and bunkerboy has been proven a LIAR and Cheney a Crook, that these so called "policies" are just now coming out of the woodwork or are being strictly enforced?

Very curious.

[Baltimoreboy]

49. Blame circumstances, not politics

There have been numerous journalism scandals in the last couple years -- like the Jayson Blair NYT scandal. There is a big tide to fix journalism and enforce standards. If you watch some of the news junkie sites, that's almost all they talk about.

[gauguin57]

52. Newspaper journalists and politics ...

... has been an issue for several years ... it really got cooking many years ago, when there was a massive pro-choice march in Washington. Journalists from all over the country protested openly, as private citizens, and started getting in trouble with their newsrooms. I think newspaper ethics policies started getting really tight right around then (though I can't remember the year ... one of my friends was one of those who was called on the carpet ... she finally quit journalism so she could be an activist!).

[gauguin57]

50. I hate to be the wet blanket here, but ...

... I used to work for newspapers, too. And when you choose to be a journalist, you learn very quickly that this is what you sign on for. You take the bumper sticker off your car, you don't sign petitions (because they can wind up on signatures in an ad, and then you're screwed), you don't march in issues-oriented protest rallies and such, you don't campaign for a particular candidate. There are wonderful things about being a journalist -- it's a wonderful, noble profession (no matter what John Q. Public thinks -- they wouldn't know what to do if the newspaper stopped coming!). Those wonderful things must compensate you for not being able to be involved in politics.

I've spent most of my adult life abiding by various newspapers' ethics policies -- and being quiet in the world outside my circle of friends and my private time in the voting booth. That's the way it goes. It hurts, but you deal with it.

No one in the community you live in should know who you're supporting, particularly if you ever cover anything political. Don't know what your beat is, but so often so MANY beats drift into the political. Often, both sides should be pissed at how you cover a given story, frankly -- when both sides are pissed, you know you're doing your job, because it demonstrates you're showing no favoritism.

It's the same principle as not serving on a board that deals with some area or institution that you cover.

If you're "out" as a Kerry supporter, sources AND the public will stop trusting you. You need to make the decision: is journalism or politics more important to you? If the answer is "both, equally," maybe you can become a left-wing free-lancer or editor-at-large, writing/editing for magazines with a point of view.

[notadmblnd]

55. why don't you hire one of the evil expensive trial lawyers and sue him?

all that should have been in your contract prior to your hiring.. just who is he to tell you what you can do on your off hours? Or with your property?

[gauguin57]

57. 'Scuse me ... but newspapers reporters/editors are a special case.

For the reasons I've articulated above ... the political activism a newspaper reporter/editor practices in his or her private life reflects UPON the employer (newspaper) directly. Because the newspaper is supposed to cover the community objectively, and members of the community can so easily see bumper stickers, signs in the yard, names on petitions, contributions on the internet, etc. And they know where you stand, and it reflects on how your sources and the public perceive your reporting. So the editor can say "Make your choice -- work here or be politically active. You can't do both."

And yes, the newspaper company gave us a copy of the ethics policy the first day of employment, so everyone knows the rules. Hell, I learned "the rules" in my journalism ethics class in college ... and I knew I had to make a decision: journalism, or political activism. I knew I couldn't do one while I was doing another.

Just because everyone thinks newspaper objectivity is a hard ideal to fulfill (or total bullshit, as some people think), isn't it worth at least striving for the apprearance of it, for the sake of your readers?

[FighttheFuture]

71. What fantasy world are you living in? Please provide the dimensional...

coordinates!!

It is quite possible to deliver a fair and balanced story, but don't kid yourself, anything created by humans has an agenda. We all have agendas based on our ideas and beliefs. These are reflected in our better and baser human emotions such as love, giving, kindness, social justice, greed, hate, prejudice, etc.

Understanding and stating your agenda is the most honest thing you can do. Hiding behind the bullshit you stated is simply creating a lie and a deception. The deception may be a self-deception, but make no mistake, your agenda will proceed, regardless of whether you understand it.

For that, it should be allowed, and even encouraged for employees to practice their beliefs. It is also reasonable for an owner to expect a certain "standard" in their product. That is why there are editors, sr. editors, and the owners who oversee the message being delivered.

Restricting peoples expression in their private lives is deplorable and against our constitution, and therefore illegal.

I pray these pricks are sued for their asinine dictatorial arrogance!!

[bleedingheart]

56. I am so lucky to have a boss who doesn't care

and I work for such a large company that there is no way they could ever uphold that kind of policy....

My direct supervisor actually sends me political stuff...

[Hekate]

59. Pep talk: The BEST thing you can do for us all is report objectively

I mean it. We need that from you more than money. You are in a profession that at times has been (and still has the potential to be) the very key to the rising of the people and the survival of nations.

Every job comes with its own restrictions on "absolute" freedom. You've just bumped up against yours. Your newspaper, through its articles and its employees, has to maintain the appearance of impartiality in order for its actual impartiality to be believable.

If you can't march in the protests, try to get yourself assigned to report on them. If you can't work weekends on the Kerry campaign, try to be the local reporter who knows the most about what they're doing. Whatever your local politicians are doing and saying -- that's a story.

Woodward and Bernstein would never have been as effective if they had been visibly partisan for Nixon's opposition. National newspapers picked up the story and kept it alive -- individual reporters just doing their jobs and following leads, individual editors making decisions to see this story through.

Times are different now, no question about it. The broadcast news media for the most part has sunk pretty low; newspapers can often do it better if only because they are not enslaved to the 24/7 demand to fill a void--there's more time to research and reflect.

But you work in what still can be a great and influential profession.

Go get 'em! :bounce:

Hekate

[bullimiami]

60. Ron

Is this a companywide policy? This includes everyone even managers correct?

Fair is fair. I dont think that seems completely unreasonable for a news org as long as it applies to the whole company and all political persuasions.

[gollygee]

64. I was a newspaper reporter in my pre-baby days

and we had the same rule. Well, except about the money donation thing. I don't remember anyone telling me what I could do with my money. But I never openly campaigned for anyone, or put any bumper stickers on my car. You have to give the impression of neutrality as a newspaper repoter, even if neutrality is impossible.

[dryan]

65. Previous job

For several years I was the Permitting Coordinator for a large civil engineering firm in Orlando. We did a lot of work for the county and also I had to interact a lot with officials in the engineering plans and planning & zoning departments of Orange County. It was not an official order but it was communicated to me by the president of the company that we had to stay neutral when it came to county commission races. County races (constitutional officers as well as the county commission) is non-partisan here in Orange County but everyone knows what party everyone belongs too (an unspoken truth). Since I had an still have many friends in county government this was both a plus and a minus for me.

[TXlib]

66. Make sure you don't give any identifying info here!

People on republican sites are discussing ways to out you to your boss, so don't give out any info here about who you are, where you work, etc.

Now, having said that, I agree with your boss that newspapers and their staff must maintain the appearance of neutrality.

It is fair of him to ask that you not display signs, bumperstickers, etc, that would broadcast your political views. Active involvement in rallies and political organisations would also undermine the semblance of impartiality.

However, it is not fair of him to tell you not to make political financial donations. If it is a matter of public record who donates, then he may still have a valid concern. In that case, donate anonymously, if that is possible.

Don't wear your politics on your sleeve, and you probably won't be dinged for your 'quiet' political involvement.

[porphyrian]

67. Fuck him, quit.

Freelance. You'll trade some headaches for some other ones, but your current boss won't be one of them.

[TreasonousBastard]

68. Listen to Gaugin57, and...

the others in the business.

Every job has its rewards and sacrifices, and the appearance of impartiality is just one of the things you just have to deal with if you're in journalism. I don't remember the details, but one of the networks got into a big flap over someone's polical donations a while back.

Personally, I think you just might be working for one of the good guys if he's that strict about it. Sounds like he's putting ethics over politics, and that's not a bad thing.

It is, of course, entirely your choice whether or not you want to work under those conditions, but if you stay there, you have to play by the rules.

[OETKB]

69. Me too

I have just received a memo from our hospital "Human Resource and Legal Services," giving their take on the subject. In over 30 years as a physician I have never received such a notice before. In particular there were two paragraphs which concerned me:

"Even during breaks or non-work hours, it is important for all of us to be sensitive to the opinions of others. Remember that your col-workers bring their own perspectives and experiences to work with them each day. Many people feel uncomfortable and your "encouragement" could be perceived as unwelcome or harassment.

"Political activities include encouraging others to vote for one candidate vs. another, wearing political buttons, distributing literature....,putting literature..etc."

Buried in both these statements are elements of normal discourse and free speech surrounded by reasonableness. Is this the modus operandi we are going to see? Further has anyone gotten these notices during these past two weeks when they have not any beforehand from their companies?