Cant mention guns at work?

[Redneck_Buddha]

I am guessing Securitias

They are headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden so that would make sense.

[VoiceofReason]

Not addressed to anyone in particular.

Don’t like unions? Bow down and kiss butt or find another job.

[lildave40]

Not addressed to anyone in particular.

Don’t like unions? Bow down and kiss butt or find another job.

[WildBill]

This may anger some of the forum members, but when one is at work, you are supposed to talk about work related issues, not guns, shooting or hunting.
I agree that what you discuss on your breaks or at lunch is not the company's business, but if on work hours I suggest avoiding the discussions.
If you can't be fired for free speech, you can be fired for wasting time and not working.

[VoiceofReason]

This may anger some of the forum members, but when one is at work, you are supposed to talk about work related issues, not guns, shooting or hunting.
I agree that what you discuss on your breaks or at lunch is not the company's business, but if on work hours I suggest avoiding the discussions.
If you can't be fired for free speech, you can be fired for wasting time and not working.

I have no problem with that, as long as it is administered fairly and equally across all subjects including but not limited to: politics, religion, golf, the news, jokes. etc. and not just guns or whatever other subject someone decides they don’t want people talking about.

[Jusme]

...and even mentioning a firearm is enough for termination according to the HR Department....

Is that actually in the written policies? If not HR is the one overstepping.

But they are more adept at the bureaucratic wrangling for firing someone than most, so if you choose to enter the fray, do your homework.

And I agree that this is chicken-hearted nonsense.

ETA: If you have been chatting about guns with your coworkers for a long time and this has just now come up, your problem may not actually be about guns -- that may just be someone's way of getting at you. There may be something else afoot.

If they have no written policy, then it's not a policy,it's arbitrary. It does sound like someone has a grudge against you in some other area. I know that most harassment policies have a clause that includes feeling uncomfortable, but if you are talking one on one with someone and no one else can overhear you, then I can't imagine it would cause anyone discomfort, but, I would definitely ask for a copy of the policy regarding discussing firearms.

Good Luck, I hate to hear about these things but as my tag line says: Take away the Second first, and the First is gone in a second.

[Soccerdad1995]

This may anger some of the forum members, but when one is at work, you are supposed to talk about work related issues, not guns, shooting or hunting.
I agree that what you discuss on your breaks or at lunch is not the company's business, but if on work hours I suggest avoiding the discussions.
If you can't be fired for free speech, you can be fired for wasting time and not working.

I have no problem with that, as long as it is administered fairly and equally across all subjects including but not limited to: politics, religion, golf, the news, jokes. etc. and not just guns or whatever other subject someone decides they don’t want people talking about.

I actually agree with this as long as it is consistently applied. I have worked with alot of companies and I have never seen a single one that consistently limited all conversations to essential work related topics only.

I can't stand the incessant chatter that some people insist on at the start of every meeting. It has gotten so bad that if I am in a meeting with certain people, I will intentionally show up 10 minutes late so I can avoid the discussions of the weather, how their kids are doing, etc.

Then again, I have been accused of being rude and anti-social at times.

I don't think this is the case with the OP's company either since HR specifically mentioned discussion of guns instead of non-work topics in general.

[WildBill]

This may anger some of the forum members, but when one is at work, you are supposed to talk about work related issues, not guns, shooting or hunting.
I agree that what you discuss on your breaks or at lunch is not the company's business, but if on work hours I suggest avoiding the discussions.
If you can't be fired for free speech, you can be fired for wasting time and not working.

I have no problem with that, as long as it is administered fairly and equally across all subjects including but not limited to: politics, religion, golf, the news, jokes. etc. and not just guns or whatever other subject someone decides they don’t want people talking about.

You forgot Fantasy Football. I have never seen so many hours wasted at work.

[WildBill]

If they have no written policy, then it's not a policy,it's arbitrary. It does sound like someone has a grudge against you in some other area.

I think this is more likely the case.

A friend of mine was recently fired for giving her opinion.
She was asked by a VP for her honest opinion about how the HR department was handling a certain issue.
He reported their conversation to the HR department.
She was fired for "spreading lies" about them.

[parabelum]

This sort of stuff makes me fume.

With respect to workplace however, there is no constitutional right to free speech, so yes, your ignorant employer can kick you out for "gun talk".


I'd do exactly what you said you already started, which is to look for another gig.
Even if you watch carefully what you say, chances are that now you'll be a mark for some liberal anti-gun fascist in your Company.

[anygunanywhere]

Sometimes you just have to stand up for what is right, and please understand I am not advocating losing your job over gun talk. However, when you are faced with putting up with double standards, speaking your piece is the right thing to do.

Back in 2002 I was transitioning out of my operations manager role and filling a temporary maintenance manager role while my replacements came up to speed in their roles.

Being Kalifornia we were warned that overt expressions of our Christianity would not be tolerated so not to offend those who did not express our beliefs. No bibles, no crucifixes on desks or walls, etc.

The company hired a woman as process operator trainee. It wasn't long until she informed us she was a witch and was Wiccan and satan worshipper.

One day I arrived at work, grabbed a cup-o-joe and walked to my office. I passed the conference room and spied two books on the table. Being a curious sort I looked at the books. One was an instruction book on white magic spells and the other on black magic.

I laid them down and went to the site manager's office and told him under no uncertain terms that since I could not openly have any of my Christian things, that unless he immediately ban the open use of the satanic stuff I would leave, find an attorney, and file a lawsuit so fast his head would spin. I gave him one hour to deal with it or else I would be on the phone to HR and on my way out the door.

It was dealt with and the witch was eventually terminated for other reasons I will not go into.

Pick your battles and do not bluff. Stand your ground when you know what you are doing is right and grounded in truth.

[JALLEN]

When I was in the Navy, it was somewhere between discouraged and forbidden to discuss religion, politics or women in the wardroom, I think on the grounds that we should confine our remarks to subjects that we knew what we were talking about.

[Jusme]

When I was in the Navy, it was somewhere between discouraged and forbidden to discuss religion, politics or women in the wardroom, I think on the grounds that we should confine our remarks to subjects that we knew what we were talking about.

Now That's funny!

[Keith B]

If they have no written policy, then it's not a policy,it's arbitrary. It does sound like someone has a grudge against you in some other area.

I think this is more likely the case.

A friend of mine was recently fired for giving her opinion.
She was asked by a VP for her honest opinion about how the HR department was handling a certain issue.
He reported their conversation to the HR department.
She was fired for "spreading lies" about them.

Sounds like a good opportunity for a lawyer to take up a retaliation case against them. These types of tactics are a VERY good way for a company to lose a lot of money.