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I recently spoke to a friend and hi told me that their job recently told him to stop podcasting. He is in the finance business and does a weekly podcast about managing your personal funds. He said that he has never mentioned where he works but the employer told him that they might be forced to fire him if he doesn't stop.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? Is it legal for an employer to request something like this?
Interesting question. I don't know what the legal situation is but some employers now request Facebook and Twitter information before hiring someone.
I don't know if its legal or not but it is a concern for many people podcasting.
I was fired from a 13 year job for a podcast I did. The company never admitted it, but over the last year I've gained enough inside information to determine that was the cause.
So, though we may have the 1st Amendment right to say what we wish, your employer can also exercise their right to terminate or discipline you if they don't like what you're saying. It varies from state to state, but in Georgia, your employer doesn't need a reason to legally terminate your employment.
All I'm saying -- be careful. :)
Not sure how this works but I guess if someone 'slams' their company, that could do it. I make certain that I never post anything on-line that I would regret in the morning. I assume that everyone I know or don't know, checks my boring social activity each and every day. I belong to quite a few hobby forums and I can say straight-up, that if people conducted themselves on their social media sites like' we do here on the IAIB, nobody would ever get in trouble.
Wow. What type of show were you doing ? Was it considered adult?Quote:
Originally Posted by Donovan
It was an impromptu live show that the owner of the company happened to tune into that day. It was rough - language, politics, sexual topics, etc. and alcohol was involved (yeah, there was that). I never once stated who I worked for, but I guess he didn't care. Three days later I was called in to the VP's office and fired and the VP was instructed NOT to tell me why.Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewzarian
I wrote a fictional story around what happened that day called Fifty and Furious, so if anyone's interested, the link is in my signature below.
Thanks Donavon, you inspired me to produce my own show that I will call ‘Sixty and Senile’.
Happy New Year!
Well Paul, unfortunately it is legal is a lot of states. It's amazing what employers are asking for these days before they hire you and/or promote you to certain positions, but that's how it is now. I also think that people get mixed up on what the first amendment is all about and what it protects against. Sure you can say what you want (not slandering), but what you say has consequences. For the most part, the first amendment protects us from retributions against speaking out against the government, not necessarily saying what you want and/or what you believe. So what what you say b/c there are plenty of examples of people being fired or disciplined for things they say, even though it's their own beliefs and/or personal opinions. Just my 2 cents worth.
I have to completely agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsix
I would say around 75% of all people living in the States misunderstand the first amendment. Everytime someone says something and gets fired/suspended from their high profile job (take the Duck Dynasty stuff for instance, or anytime a broadcaster gets caught speaking a controversial thought that becomes national headlines)... The first thing everyone says is... "First Amendment!"... "Free Country"... they have no idea that first amendment protects against a lot, but your employer is not one of them. No one is coming to arrest them for speaking out, but they sure will get suspended, fired, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsix
So sadly, the employer has every right to fire whoever they want in a lot of states for no reason at all. So... with that being said, podcast at your own risk. It makes it easier if this has become a full time job, then you only have to answer to yourself (or possibly advertisers if you say something that pisses them off), but overall anyone else is at risk.
I'm fortunate that the owner of the company I work for now knows that I podcast and he has even listened to the one that ended my previous career (which, BTW, he said he found nothing in it that he would have fired me for and his father absolutely loved it and wanted to know when I was going to do more like it - but that's him and his father and not my previous employer).
He told me the only thing he would have an issue with is if I criticized him or the company or demeaned any of the employees in a podcast, but my other viewpoints are my own and to share them however I felt. I can completely understand that position. It also helps that he's my age and a) knows what a podcast is and b) has been listening to podcasts for years.
But, yes -- podcast at your own risk if you aren't doing it as a full time job. That's not meant to scare anyone, but it's just a word of caution.
Donovan thank you for sharing this with all of us. I am currently employed at a very "conservative" company that wouldn't be happy if they heard my podcast. That is why I go by a different name online.
Here's the link to the article and the actual audio that resulted in my termination. I'm not seeking any type of positive or negative reaction on this. This is simply provided as an example of what NOT to do if you want to keep your job. I've come to accept responsibility for what happened from this. Do I think the owner should have been a bit more honorable? Yes. But, it was his company so I can't really complain that much.
http://www.donovanadkisson.com/featu...fire-them-all/
As I said, your opinions not withstanding, this is an example of what NOT to if you are employed by another (unless they have a clear understanding of your position on certain things and are ok with it).
WARNING: NSFW
P.S. This is also one of the reasons I no longer drink vodka. :)
Isn't corporate politics soOoo predictable? I have learned that if you're with an organization long enough and you become good at what you do, then you'll run off the rails at some point. One time I thought I 'was too big to fail' and it bit me in the tail like a Bayou gator!
This has been a humbling experience for me to be sure. It took me 42 years to realize there are people that can "play the game" better than me and when they win, I definitely lose. This has, however, helped me to redefine my priorities when it comes to family, friends, job, etc. It was a harsh lesson, but one I think I needed - but I think karma could have just sent me a letter, you know? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Ortego
