Can I be discriminated against for political beliefs?

PixieRN1 · Sep 30, 2017

As previous posters suggested, I would keep your opinions completely outside of your work arena.

When I was hired, the private hospital system said that it did random audits of employee Facebook and Twitter accounts...their rationale for it was not political; they said they they have a problem with social media and HIPAA violations, and that is why they check it.

That being said, I am very much left wing and about four years ago I made the decision to unfriend every single former or present coworker and to keep my FB highly neutral, and not just politically. I cut out any emotionalâ€'posts as well. I pretty much just post neutral family pics, and to be honest, I haven't posted anything at all to my page in over a year. I follow other people but for me personally, I have all but eliminated posting from social media from my life. I deleted my Instagram account, I never did have Twitter. I went back and deleted every post on FB except the ones posted by my now-deceased best friend.

I have even heard that if you have to be investigated by the Board, part of that investigation is reviewing your social media.

I know that I have swung WAY into the over cautious mode, but for me, the desire for my opinions to be known was just not worth the risk of my work or coworkers rifling through my posts and being offended or painting anything less than a completely neutral image of me.

I found that once I let FB mostly go, I personally had a lot more peace. Yes I occasionally post birthday photos and neutral vacation photos, but that's it. My personal thought is that the pleasure I get out of being active on FB did not create enough benefit to warrant the risk of my workplace being involved in my personal life.

I can't tell anyone what to do with their social media practice, but that is mine and I am happy with my decision.

wernicke, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2017

People are a lot more extreme on the internet than they are in real life. Worst thing that'd happen would be not being given benefit of the doubt at work I'd think.

Arguing online is a source of needless stress. I swore off it a few years ago and have been happier for it. Never did it much anyway, and it would negatively impact mood when I did. It changes the way you see other people and can make you a cynic.

As for mud-slinging, it happens both sides. With Trump, you're either a Nazi or an SJW Commie Terrorist. With abortion, you're either a misogynist or a baby-killer. And everyone who doesn't agree are just stupid sheeple who may be evil as well. You get the idea.

I have friends who wildly disagree with each other, as well as me. We just avoid politics.

People's opinions tend to be the result of their life experiences. They're deeply rooted and tough to change, and most are far more complicated than they seem. Extremists tend to have personality issues I think (not clinically), but everyone else is more or less a product of their environment.

To be honest, I'm Independent and my views can just be summarized as "everyone should have an even playing field, and you should be allowed to do whatever you want as long as you aren't hurting anyone else by doing it". I still have very strong beliefs on certain issues, but firmly rooted beliefs are hard to change. It's not worth arguing with someone when neither of us is going to budge on the issue.

kcochrane · Sep 30, 2017

People are a lot more extreme on the internet than they are in real life. Worst thing that'd happen would be not being given benefit of the doubt at work I'd think.
Arguing online is a source of needless stress. I swore off it a few years ago and have been happier for it. Never did it much anyway, and it would negatively impact mood when I did. It changes the way you see other people and can make you a cynic.
As for mud-slinging, it happens both sides. With Trump, you're either a Nazi or an SJW Commie Terrorist. With abortion, you're either a misogynist or a baby-killer. And everyone who doesn't agree are just stupid sheeple who may be evil as well. You get the idea.
I have friends who wildly disagree with each other, as well as me. We just avoid politics.
People's opinions tend to be the result of their life experiences. They're deeply rooted and tough to change, and most are far more complicated than they seem. Extremists tend to have personality issues I think (not clinically), but everyone else is more or less a product of their environment.
To be honest, I'm Independent and my views can just be summarized as "everyone should have an even playing field, and you should be allowed to do whatever you want as long as you aren't hurting anyone else by doing it". I still have very strong beliefs on certain issues, but firmly rooted beliefs are hard to change. It's not worth arguing with someone when neither of us is going to budge on the issue.

I agree, people are very bold when they are arguing on the internet, especially politics. I avoid these arguments also, because it just comes down to name calling at the end. I'm independent too, but I believe that everyone should be able to support their own party without being called names and without people assuming who they are or what they believe in. All of this has gotten out of hand. If people discuss politics at work or outside of work, I keep quiet and walk away.

To the OP, as others have said, probably better to keep your thoughts to yourself. Health Care can be very liberal. But I did work at a long term care facility that was very conservative. Its too bad we are in a time where we can't discuss ideas and politics without someone getting nasty or judging.

Julius Seizure · Sep 30, 2017

I made the decision to keep my FB highly neutral, and not just politically. I cut out any emotionalâ€'posts as well. I pretty much just post neutral family pics, and to be honest, I haven't posted anything at all to my page in over a year. I follow other people but for me personally, I have all but eliminated posting from social media from my life.

I use FB about the same way that you do. Minimally. And I don't feel like I am missing anything.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Sep 30, 2017

Here are some statistics for you: The president is a Republican. The GOP is majority Republican. The Senate is majority Republican. I'm not sure where the statement "being conservative is frowned upon" would come from (reminds me of when white males complain that they are discriminated against), but don't talk about politics at work, and I think you'll manage. :sarcastic:

Julius Seizure · Sep 30, 2017

OP, I fear that you may be at risk of creating a problem where there was none. Don't make a big deal out of your political opinions at school/work, and it will be fine.

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2017

Here are some statistics for you: The president is a Republican. The GOP is majority Republican. The Senate is majority Republican. I'm not sure where the statement "being conservative is frowned upon" would come from (reminds me of when white males complain that they are discriminated against), but don't talk about politics at work, and I think you'll manage.

Also the Supreme Court. The entire government is controlled by Republicans, but sure, conservative views are frowned upon...

macawake, MSN · Sep 30, 2017

Can I be discriminated against for political beliefs?

With colleges and i'm assuming places of work being very liberal is there any way I could not be able to become a nurse because of me using my first amendment rights and expressing my beliefs?

I'm not sure what you're asking exactly. Though I'm not an American I'm still reasonably sure that there aren't any questions on the NCLEX regarding your donkey/elephant status. You should be able to become a nurse if you pass all the required exams and background checks etc. I'm sure you already knew that so I guess what you're really asking is whether your (over)sharing regarding your political beliefs on social media, might negatively affect your employability and career advancement opportunities?

You know what, I once had a boss who'd always chew with his mouth open when we had lunch. Gross habit. I was completely within my legal rights to share my opinion of his manners with him. However, just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should

The First Amendment doesn't have much to do with this. It doesn't protect you against what people (such as your managers) will think of you, and like it or not what people in power think of you does affect their willingness to hire you and to promote you.

So if your future managers and coworkers thinks that Trump walks on water, you're in luck. (Assuming those are the views you express on Facebook). If they don't, perhaps it's wiser to not share your admiration for him on social media. That's simply being career smart and doesn't have anything to do with free speech. Those of us who live in democratic societies enjoy free speech and don't have to worry that our government will jail us if we criticize it, but our family, friends, neighbors and employers are still free to think that we're idiots for what we say.

It's really your choice. While you have a legal right to debate politics on Facebook as much as you want, you need to decide which is more important to you. Debating to your heart's content or keeping a low profile, thus minimizing the risk that you alienate people who you might want/need to view you in a favorable light. This is true no matter which career you choose and no matter what political views you hold.

caliotter3 · Sep 30, 2017

Learn to shut up now ...or at least to voice your opinions and have your heated discussions anonymously. Your boss, patients and co-workers don't need to hear every thought that pops into your head. At the very least, it will cause discord with people you spend 12-hour blocks of time with.

Easy, peasy. When at work, talk about work.

Everline · Sep 30, 2017

Your place of employment is probably not the best place to talk about your political opinions and certainly the last place to have political debates, no matter how many statistics you throw around. I actually don't want to know whether my co-workers are Trump supporters or what they think about the latest political news. Learn to keep it to yourself at work and at school. Think twice about who you become "friends" with on Facebook. If you can't stop yourself from having political debates online, best to not have your co-workers as Facebook friends. As others have also said, I keep my facebook page pretty neutral and post infrequently. I do this for professional reasons. Obviously, you have the right to express yourself. Obviously you can be a conservative and be a nurse. But understand that putting yourself out there like that can have consequences, good and bad.

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2017

The First Amendment doesn't have much to do with this. It doesn't protect you against what people (such as your managers) will think of you, and like it or not what people in power think of you does affect their willingness to hire you and to promote you.

Macawake, you officially understand the First Amendment better than probably like 70% of American citizens...

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 30, 2017

I was doing some research for a friend who was threatened with termination for voicing views with regard to a current political situation going on in the US right now. I was surprised to learn that First Amendment protections do not carry over into the privately owned work place or Private sector venues.

Why are you surprised? The 1st Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Quite clearly only refers to the government. Doesn't say a darn thing about anything/one else. And besides, just because one can say it without government interference doesn't mean that one remains free of the consequences.