Managers have a special role for employers because they are your
legal agents. What they say, do, and know can be attributed to you
as their employer. Depending on the issue, you can even be strictly
liable for the conduct of managers, meaning that your good
intentions are not a defense.
Several laws come into play here but there are certain things
that managers should absolutely not talk about with employees or
anyone else at work. This article lists the most significant of
these topics, but by no means is this an exhaustive list.
1. Race, Color, Or Ethnicity
Despite the advances since the Civil Rights Era began, racial
tensions still exist. Although we have a diverse population and
most workplaces reflect that diversity, these tensions can bubble
up and cause legal and practical problems for employers. Managers
should not discuss anything relating to race, color, or ethnicity
or give the impression that any employment decisions are made on
the basis of these
