NFL protests: Will all workplaces eventually follow?

I recently retired from public sector employment after 32 years. There were a number of official policies that dictated what was acceptable conduct in the workplace that dealt with political and/or social causes.

You were limited in what you could wear or display while on the job. You could not distribute literature in the workplace advocating causes or political activity. You could not use company time or materials for your political bents or beliefs. And the list goes on.

In effect, the policies said the workplace was not your forum for these activities or causes, emphasis on the word “your.”

The NFL now says it’s reconsidering the actions of players who kneel in protest during the playing of the national anthem. These players believe their workplace to be a proper forum for the promotion of their beliefs in social or political causes. And now, it seems, so does the NFL.

Are we slowly headed down the road in America where every workplace will become an employee’s forum to protest whatever social or political cause or belief?

This story was originally published June 13, 2020 at 7:44 PM with the headline "NFL protests: Will all workplaces eventually follow?."