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ARTICLE · 02 MAY 2017

No room for hate in the workplace

Bartier Perry Solicitors
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This recent case explored the disciplining of an employee for expressing his personal views on sexuality on social media.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
James Mattson
James Mattson
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It was a surprise when a Federal Government Minister recently criticised corporations on supporting same-sex marriage saying "it is unacceptable that people would use companies ... to throw their weight around". Aren't companies supposed to be good corporate citizens contributing to a better society? The reality is that many employers have corporate social responsibility programs that support (and "throw their weight behind") a range of causes, not just same-sex marriage.

As employers have causes and views, it is also legitimate for employees to hold personal views on matters of public discourse. Appropriate social discussion on matters of public interest by all contributes to the richness of debate and democracy.

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