My boss sent me this e-mail today...

[TN al]

...Please make sure that your enthusiasm for the Democratic party is not offending others. It doesn’t bother me but it has been brought to my attention that it has others. I didn’t know but in our Teacher Contract that specifically states that active campaigning for an office or for a specific candidate should take place outside of school time. As I stated, it is not bothering me but is others. Please help me with this.

To which I responded:

I will willingly comply with your request. I admit however that I am at a loss as to what I may have done to spark this request. Whatever it was I assure you it was unwittingly done. Perhaps if I had more information on the matter I could monitor my activities more closely.

Which was responded to thusly:

I think you when you blast the president on the war some take it personal because some of their family may be serving and doing what they are asked to do. They felt it was interesting for you to do that when you served as well. I told them you could still have your opinion and they understood that. There response that was…. to be over there risking your life to fight them on their soil and not having them over here to fight should lend us not to criticize so hastily.

This last one tells me who they are talking about. What should my response be? I do know that at times I can be fanatical about my political opinions so my strategy at work has always been to respond but never initiate. I have never spoken to this person so they could only have heard me as I spoke to others.

[Wickerman]

1. "their" response to the principal is merely extending the argument

and it is disingenuous for them to complain to management when they state, as fact,

"to be over there risking your life to fight them on their soil and not having them over here to fight should lend us not to criticize so hastily".

This is the heart of the argument of the neo-con. For them to make that complaint is a perpetuation of the disagreement you have with them.

Further, you can support the troops without supporting the maniacal pResident who has sent them into harm's way.

[Cha]

7. Right ON!

[Claire Beth]

9. well said! n/t

[mourningdove92]

2. Sounds to me like your boss is really trying to be fair about

this and is very considerate of your feelings.

I suggest trying really really hard to avoid any political disussion during work hours, at least until after the election.

[Indiana_Dem]

3. I don't know but let me share this...

one of the teachers at my daughter's school got into a political argument with some other teachers and when he told them he was voting for Kerry they said he should have his head cut off!

[calimary]

16. AHA! Another one of those "compassionate conservatives."

Better to lose one's head than have no brain to begin with, I guess...

[Cha]

4. Bless your school teacher heart

whatever happens! I would think school teachers would be for Kerry but I know from even up here in New York that there are many people who bite the hand that feeds them.

I didn't get that part about why you couldn't critcize but since you served ..I think you can Criticize all you want!

Go TN al!

[searchingforlight]

5. Does this principal really want to set himself up as a moderator of

personal discussions that you have with other staff members?

I thought schools were a place for the free exchange of ideas. What you were saying is not campaigning by any stretch of the imagination.

What if you said you were Pro-choice and someone disagreed with you? Would that be censored?

What if you say you are anti-private school vouchers? Is that acceptable?

What if you make a statement in support of Unions?

I think I would be interested in a finer definition of what you did wrong and how that is "campaigning".

I am also suspicious that he chose to do this in writing and I would watch my six.

[Eloriel]

52. Excellent points

Plus, I'd say this:

I think you when you blast the president on the war some take it personal because some of their family may be serving and doing what they are asked to do. They felt it was interesting for you to do that when you served as well. I told them you could still have your opinion and they understood that. There response that was…. to be over there risking your life to fight them on their soil and not having them over here to fight should lend us not to criticize so hastily.

This last one tells me who they are talking about. What should my response be? I do know that at times I can be fanatical about my political opinions so my strategy at work has always been to respond but never initiate. I have never spoken to this person so they could only have heard me as I spoke to others.


I'd make it very clear to him that disagreement about the war, or with this administration is NOT the same thing as not supporting the troops and that the conflation of these two concepts has been used by this administration to gin up support for the war and attack critics' patriotism, unnecessarily and unfairly and with the intent to silence critics all together (if you think you can get away with pointing such a thing out).

I would also make it VERY clear (as others have pointed out) that you do NOT initiate discussions, so the same restriction should be put on those who do, tho in your opinion the better option would be to allow free exchange of ideas when various subject arise (and here you could use some of Brigadoon's excellent points).

Obviously, you don't want to inflame things further, but it's also not good to roll over and play dead, IMO. So standing up for yourself with some firmness, but in a reasonable way, would be ideal.

[merh]

6. Just simply respond that you will comply with the company's

policy regarding campaigning and leave it at that. Or, ask your boss how he/she would suggest you deal with this. Give your boss the specifics and ask him/her if that is campaigning or just voicing an opinion about a subject that you feel strongly about.

Or, when you are around the other person and the conversation begins to turn towards talk of the war, please ask all that are part of the conversation to please respect the fact that some see the discussion of the war as campaigning and that it may be best that the discussion not be had. Offer to continue the discussion with them later, after work.

Do not risk your job, maybe you can use this as a way to have after hour discussions with folks who are willing to listen.

[sui generis]

8. oy, but the bigger issue is

that person did not feel that they could say something to you directly and instead went to the effort of doing something to your professional life that could be construed as a disciplinary action or a warning, especially since it is in writing.

Best thing of course is to cool the jets during work hours, but still, the damage may have been done.

[Kipepeo]

28. I don't think jets need to be cooled

Stating one's opinions is not campaigning.

I don't want to live in a world where I can't express an opinion that is not in line the Bush administration.

[sui generis]

44. to be fair though

work is for working -- it's not about being in line with one opinion or the other. Some opinions are inflammatory, including our own objectively to people who don't agree with us (whether it makes sense or not).

In the role of a principal I would put this in the same class as asking my teachers not to douse themselves in colognes and perfumes at work. The fact is, if somebody wants to share an opinion, get on DU and do it, or get together a similar group of like minded people so that it isn't confrontational or combative, and let "the other side" do the same as well.

[El Supremo]

10. "Offending others?"

Tell them that you are just as offended about their family members being forced to be in a life threatening situation - both to them and to the people who don't want them to be there.

This is the same argument that the Bushies use to squelch protest. "If you don't support us, you don't support the troops."

[goclark]

11. Save all your emails to and from

Be very careful about expressing your opinions on school times.

The fact that this exchange was done on email gives me pause.
Sounds to me that he had instructions from higher ups to nicely warn you and put it in writing.

Now, if you do something else,believe me the Rethugs will let the administrator know that you have really hurt their feelings. At that time the Principal, with another witness near by(Secretary,Asst/ Principal) will call you into the office and "discuss" the additional concerns with you.

It is called, Progressive Discipline.

The problem for you in the future is that tempers are high. Sounds like there are more Rethugs and you could be on your own.

Check you contract very closely/

If something else comes up, DO NOT go to talk to the Principal by yourself. A;ways request that a union rep be present.

Good luck!

[fudge stripe cookays]

19. I second that.

I used to work for the government, and it is all a matter of CYA (cover your ass) in these types of situations.

Especially the parts about getting stuff in writing, stuff on work time etc.

Take care of yourself. This could get serious.
FSC

[NJmaverick]

12. Seems to me the complainers are the ones

Campaigning and politicing on work time.

[goclark]

30. Won't work that way...

Trust me, the cry babies will get the attention of the closet Rethugs at the District Level.

[Beaverhausen]

13. Aren't we over there fighting for the right to freedom of speech?

It's so ironic that we are trying to "free" the iraqis at the same time we have to stifle our dissent?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

14. If you are always responding but not initiating, then those who "initiate"

should be enjoined from starting political discussion as well, whether for or against administration policies.

[MallRat]

15. You respond but never initiate? If that's the case...

...then your response should be,

"I will be more than happy to comply with your request as soon as my more conservative colleagues do the same. I don't go looking for political debate, and I don't bring up the subject on my own. But when my political beliefs and patriotism are being attacked, you cannot expect me to wear a gag."

"I expect everyone to comply with this clause of the Teacher Contract. Not just me: EVERYONE."

-MR

[fudge stripe cookays]

21. I like this response!

You voiced what I was thinking very well!

FSC

[Misunderestimator]

23. Agree... good response.

[cally]

17. I would ask for a staff meeting and a written policy on

what constitutes 'campaigning.' Say it politely, and in writing, that the whole discussion confuses you. What is campaigning in the workplace? Does that mean you can't discuss politics or just not ask folks to vote for your candidate? What happens when the teacher's union endorses a position or a candidate? Can you discuss this? How about school bond issues? Ask for anything in writing so it's explicit what they are asking you to do.

I think it's legitimate to keep campaigning out of the workplace if it's a written policy and everyone is held to the same standard.

[coalition_unwilling]

18. I was moved by your account

and by all those who responded.

My workplace has also sharply divided into pro- and anti-Bush positions (due in no small part to my efforts at organizing the anti-Bush\anti-war faction).

When my boss took it upon herself to put up a "United We Stand" poster, I responded by starting to wear a peace sign on my shirt at work each day. No one has ever said a word against it and, if they did, I would simply point to the afore-mentioned sign.

Are you working under a collective bargaining agreement at your school? If so, you might be able to respond to the next barrage by filing a grievance or seeking some sort of arbitration. (May not be worth the trouble, but wouldn't hurt to talk to your shop steward, if you have one.)

[greekspeak]

20. Do "they" also have a problem with "enthusiasm" for the Rep party?

Or do these "others" just get to do whatever they want because it is so "patriotic" to support whatever WhistleAss does?

[Misunderestimator]

22. You are not "actively campaigning" for anyone...

you are expressing your opposition to a war that should never have happened. Is it fair that they can express their support of the war and expect you not to express your opposition?

That's what I would tell him.

[RichardRay]

24. Concur and one distinction

Make it very clear to your principal that you will be glad to comply with the policy of not campaigning for an office or a candidate, but that that does not retrict your opposition to the war. Opposing the war is not a political or campaign choice, although it may be an issue. How you might suggest implementing your opposition could be 'campaigning', but your opposition and your reasons for it don't have to be.

It might be that some of your fellow teachers would ask you what you'd do differently. In that case you might say that you support a change of administration since you feel that the current one is largely to blame for the current disaster. If you stop short of advocacy that should be OK, too. I'd ask for clarification as to the acceptability of that via email or even written memo. Documentation is no less and issue for you than it is for them and can be used just as effectively.

Richard Ray - Jackson Hole, WY

[Kipepeo]

25. I would explain to him that you purposefully

Never initiate but you will respond when others broach politics in any informal discussion, because you see it as only stating your own opinion in response to them stating theirs.

Ask him if he would be sending the same email email to a Bush supporter if it were you that sent the complaint after the Bush supporter merely stated their opinion.

Explain that you never let your political opinions interfere with your job and you don't actively campaign for anyone on work hours, but don't feel that stating your own opinion, in response to someone else's opinion was inappropriate. Then add that perhaps this person who overheard only reported you because they disagree with you but did not report the person you were responding to because they agreed with that person. It's not really fair to make one opinion off limits but not the other.

I wouldn't write this, but personally I think this passerby who reported you needs tougher skin, if they can't handle overhearing something they disagree with. What a fucking crybaby!

[in_cog_ni_to]

26. active campaigning for an office or for a specific candidate

is very different from voicing a personal opinion. Last I heard, we still have freedom of speech. I find it offensive that the person you voiced your opinion to had to go to the principal to whine about it. That is just ridiculous. Republican's next step is to stop free speech. What? THEY are entitled to say whatever they wish in support of the war and you have to keep your mouth shut because THEY don't like what you have to say? I say BULLSHIT. Keep voicing your opinion. This crap REALLY pisses me off.

[trof]

27. "some take it personal"???

This is from a principal?
It's "personally".
Is literacy no longer a requirement?

[msmcghee]

29. There are some good suggestions here, but . .

. . it seems clear to me you are dealing with an archetype vindictive Repuke.

Their purpose was not to reduce discord in the workplace - it was to do something nasty to someone who doesn't agree with them.

[0rganism]

31. Your co-workers are trying to get you fired, make no mistake about it

The principal may not be acting swift enough for their taste, and they will soon be going over his head to the school board or the superintendent. Watch out! I've seen this happen before.

I suggest you
1) save all correspondence in its original form
2) contact a lawyer regarding wrongful termination regulations in your state
3) differentiate support of the Democratic party from opposition to bush's war in any response to the principal

I suspect this conflict isn't going away anytime soon.

[Swamp Rat]

34. Good advice

"Your co-workers are trying to get you fired, make no mistake about it" - Absolutely. Someone is trying to have "TN al" fired.

I wanted to suggest to go on the offensive but I fear that may be bad advice. Contacting a lawyer - tomorrow morning! - would be the best way to go.

[kath]

32. What you did was NOT campaigning, not in any way.

You did absolutely nothing wrong. You should seriously consider notifying the teacher's union about these intimidation tactics.


Right wing assholes.

[Sydnie]

33. Contact your union rep right away.

Make sure that the rep makes the distinction for you between free speech and campaigning. As hard as it might be, attempt to refrain from stating your opinion when these discussions come up, but make note of who initiated the conversation, who participated, where you were when you heard it and who else might have heard it that did not participate. Try to do this without anyone else's knowledge, other than your union rep.

Contact your states ethics committee and inquire from them where they would draw the line on such conversations.

But by all means, begin to document, document, document, the others behavior. By the end of September, you will have enough "dish" on those others to successfully file a grievance should anyone formally "charge" you with any violation of the law or your contract.

As hard as it might be ... bite your tongue while inside the building and make sure you know just what "good cause" and "just cause" mean within your contract.

Good Luck!!!

[flaminbats]

35. my response...

thankyou sir, recite of email acknowledged. I agree with your point that politics should not be offensive or personal. Maybe I should again let these people know that I do support the troops, I agree there must have been a misunderstanding.

[foo_bar]

36. sick. is this an assistant principal?

...Please make sure that your enthusiasm for the Democratic party is not offending others. It doesn’t bother me but it has been brought to my attention that it has others. I didn’t know but in our Teacher Contract that specifically states that active campaigning for an office or for a specific candidate should take place outside of school time. As I stated, it is not bothering me but is others. Please help me with this.

I think you when you blast the president on the war some take it personal because some of their family may be serving and doing what they are asked to do. They felt it was interesting for you to do that when you served as well. I told them you could still have your opinion and they understood that. There response that was... to be over there risking your life to fight them on their soil and not having them over here to fight should lend us not to criticize so hastily.

[AP]

37. One point I'd make is that politics are such an important part of life

that we should be able to talk about politics the same way we talk about sports or a TV show we all watch.

I'd hope that people would rather want to engage in ideas they might not agree with than ask someone in authority to prevent the discussion altogether.

I'd also make the point (if it's relevant here) that it's very dangerous to equate disagreeing with the president to criticizing people who might have family members serving in Iraq -- for obvious reasons.

[progressivebydesign]

38. I see your detractors think Saddam had something to do with 9/11.

"There response that was…. to be over there risking your life to fight them on their soil and not having them over here to fight should lend us not to criticize so hastily." More of that mentality of attacking Saddam before he could attack us.

Wish I had some encouraging words for you, or great ideas. My husband and I have the policy of not discussing anything political at work, unless we know we are speaking to like-minded folks. It's best to keep it out of the workplace...

[Citizen Daryl]

39. I'm glad that both my boss and my supervisor are raging Democrats!

My thoughts are with you, though.

[Darth_Kitten]

40. my response would be.....

Please let them know that when the president is "blasted" it's purely political, not personal. Also, if they are very upset about political issues being expressed in the workplace, they should remember not to dictate to others what they "should" feel about certain issues and how they should conduct themselves.

Their opinions, as well as mine, can be expressed and respected.

:) just my say....

[TN al]

41. Just to follow up on this...

...I teach at a small alternative school. Each morning the entire school comes out to the flagpole to play the national anthem, say the pledge of allegiance and have a minute of silence. Because I am not the good person I strive to be I glanced at the complainant during the pledge. She did not participate in the pledge. During the minute of silence I glanced at her again and watched her gabbing with some of her workmates. Maybe it is just me but I feel by these actions she lost all arguements of patriotism through her actions and proved herself to be nothing but a partisan shrill. And just to be precise she is not a teacher but a teacher's aide.

[HFishbine]

42. Your boss is an educator?

His/her language skills are atrocious.

[Bozita]

45. Language skills and smarts are not prerequisites for school admins

The principal in question is living proof.

[Corgigal]

43. My daughter has to put up with some of this

sick kind of shit too. The big boss points to her and a co-worker and tells them things like, well you Kerry voters should like this.
She works in the business/war complex workforce and not having a war somewhere must hurt their bottom line. I'm sure they never gave a flip about anyone living in Iraq before. Still don't.

I told her to write down , with the dates, time and who said what on a notepad. You can use your own notes in court and I said if it gets much worst then we have to look into a hostile working environment.

This is my daughter first job out of college and has no real world experience on how to handle these jerks. She doesn't talk politics however she did mention going to see F/911 a few months ago and this is what happened.

[democratreformed]

46. I wonder how many people actually believe that if we had not

gone into Iraq, we really would be fighting a war right here on our own soil right now. I have heard "at least he kept it over there" many times. I think that's the silliest thing. I certainly don't believe that we would have an active war right now in our country if we hadn't gone "over there."

[itcfish1]

47. Sorry

But I think this is a personal issue with your boss. He/She should have sent a general e-mail to the whole staff reminding them that political talk is not allowed in the school.

[Catherine Vincent]

48. Did these bushies ever comment about President Clinton when

he was in office? I'll bet they had a lot of opinions on that. Now that chimpy is in office, they don't like anyone criticizing him. What hypocrites!

[newportdadde]

49. My take...

Are you being directly asked about Bush/Iraq from a coworker or are you just hearing a conversation and then interjecting your opinion? If its the later I would just keep my mouth shut, I know it stinks but its not worth the trouble.

As mentioned above there is a move here to get you in trouble, possibly fired. I would keep all of these emails and notify your union rep of whats going on but not that your looking to go to war over it just wanted to keep the union rep in the loop. Although it could be considered being a coward I just wouldn't mention politics at work again - ever. There are two things I never talk about at work - politics and religion. Nothing will get you fired faster or turn previous helpful friendly coworkers into your worst enemies fast.. just stay away from it.

You can't win any minds here. You have someone with a loved one in the service who has bought into Saddam = 9/11 terrorists meme. Reason wont work here.. let it go and protect yourself.

[TryingToWarnYou]

50. You were nicer than I would have been...

I would kindly explain that the conservative viewpoint and support for this occupation is offending you. Furthermore, if you have to "watch what you say", then that should apply to everyone as well. This is just another good example of the good ol double standard. If you were waving a flag and had a Bush/Cheney sticker on your cube wall, nobody would give a shit because you are a patriot.

[BiggJawn]

51. Tell them you will comply with the regulations.

"...active campaigning for an office or for a specific candidate..."

Tell him that you would be willing to go to arbitration for a determination as to whether or not "...when you blast the president on the war..." constitutes "active campaigning" or not. My guess is that it does not.

Also, tell him that this complaint, and his handling of it is really just a more lucid version of "We got troops over there dieing for your Freedom, so SHUT THE FUCK UP!", and I'm not sure that since this has nothing to do with any contractual prohibition on politcal activity that it wouldn't constitute a "Hostile Work Enviroment" for you.

As far as "critising so hastily", I can't speak for you, but i know that *I* thought long and hard about this friggin' war before I decided it was a crock of shit. Nothing "hasty" about that.

[leesa]

53. Your boss is spewing RW talking points..."on their soil

instead of ours"??? What has Iraq done to win the invasion award? Americans are sooooo ignorant and arrogant!

[Rob H.]

54. Damn it.

So do they think that because you were in the military, that means you automatically support Bush? I only ask because of this:

They felt it was interesting for you to {blast the president on the war} when you served as well.

My dad was in the Navy for 23 years and is a Vietnam veteran, and he can't stand Bush. (He's voted Democrat for as long as he's been able to vote, if I'm not mistaken.) He knows we shouldn't be in Iraq, and he's also pissed that some of the soldiers who are there don't have the materiel they need, like body armor designed to stop assault weapons fire and thicker plating on their Humvees, not to mention how the Bush administration tried to cut combat pay for the soldiers who are there.

He was talking to his co-workers one day about it--most of them are around my age (35) and didn't know that he served--and one of them said, "What? You don't support the president? You must be unpatriotic!" He just smiled and said, "Listen. I'd been in the Navy for three years by the time you were born and unlike the lunkhead in the White House, I actually showed up."

Now they're too intimidated to mention it to him again. Go Dad! :thumbsup:

[TexasSissy]

55. Whoa! As a moderate, even I am shocked by this.

The Repubs are trying to silence even an expression of an opinion? WTF? But I'm sure it's okay for them to voice their opinion.

Since when is it campaigning to voice your anti-war opinion in a discussion about the war, esp. when others are voicing their pro-war opinions? Tit for tat. Tell him if you cannot even voice an opinion, then others should be restricted likewise, and that voicing an opinion in the middle of a discussion about that subject is NOT campaigning.

[molly]

56. Comply - but go visit your boss

and say you are truly sorry if you offended anyone, but it appears to be politically motivated and underhanded. Do not put this in an email. Look truly sorry and meek. Ask that the person be called in with you and your boss as a mediator - to apologize of course, so that you intentions are not mistaken. Then tell them that you feels so badly for the thousand and counting soldiers that have been killed - then add quietly FOR A LIE .

[drbtg1]

57. As a business owner myself...

...it would appear to me that your boss is trying to diffuse the situation as quickly and as simply as possible. The problem I see is that it is too simple. A more thorough solution is called for in this case.

I don't know if your business hierarchy is similar to mine, but in my business, all employees (feels weird to call them "employees", I usually call them co-workers) answer to me. No middle management to run interference and opinions to get in the way.

If your boss is high enough in the corporate food chain, perhaps it could be suggested to him/her to send out a memo like this:

"To: all employees
From: your heartless bastard of a boss
Re: intra-office conversations

It has come to my attention that more conversations are being had in the workplace that are of a political nature. During this political season, I understand opinions may be strong and may be magnified by current military action. However, I don't want personal political opinions to interfere with the purpose of the workplace. Thus, all employees are to observe the following in the workplace.

1.) No conversations are to be initiated or promoted with customers that are of a political or religious nature. We don't discuss our personal problems with customers, so this will also be considered of a similar nature. If a customer initiates a conversation, we will allow them to finish but not engage. If a customer asks for your opinion, advise them we don't discuss it since we don't want to upset anyone. If a customer persists, contact me directly in order to handle the situation.

2.) No conversations of a political or religious nature, or expressions of a political or religious nature are to be had where a customer may see or hear. This includes, but is not limited to, bumper stickers and other political items in workspaces.

3.) As a company, our thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women serving our military. Regardless of any employees' individual opinions of the war itself, the individual soldiers serving in the military are not responsible for the actions taken by political leaders and are not to be referred to in a disrespectful manner in the workplace.

4.) With regard to the individual political leaders (not the soldiers themselves), I realize various employees may wish to discuss matters of a political nature, including military actions. However if employees wish to engage in conversations regarding politicians, respect for the opinions of all employees shall be maintained in the workplace, regardless of how another employee's opinion may differ from your own. I don't expect all employees to agree politically, but all employees are expected to show respect for the opinions of other employees. We don't permit sexual harassment in the workplace, so this will also be considered of a similar nature.

I realize political passions may run high for various political positions, but this does not excuse disrespect for another employee's political opinions. If you cannot maintain respect for another employee's opinion, do not engage in political conversation. Conversely, if another employee does not wish to discuss politics with you, do not engage in political conversation.

I would hope responsible and respectful political conversation can promote understanding and enlightenment of various political positions as well as respect for other employee's opinions. However, as I watch certain news programs, I know conversations can degenerate into some less than useful and this will not be tolerated in the workplace. Please be advised your employment is based in large measure to be respectful, responsible, and mature.

Signed, Bastard"

Maybe sending out something like this, that covers employees universally, could help. As I read the thread, it appears you may have to change "customers" to "students and parents" and other changes that pertain to a school setting.

In any event, I don't think one employee should be singled out like this.