Toxic turn' | Backlash as former 'best company' vetoes politics chat at work - HR Grapevine

US-based software firm Basecamp - a former Forbes best company - has issued new employee guidelines which effectively prevent workers from discussing politics on company forums.

This decision has drawn some severe criticism from both workers inside of the firm and the public, who have noted that it has the potential to marginalise workers. Other criticisms argue the ban will give rise to toxic work culture only favourable to privileged communities and would exploit the marginalised people of the workforce.

Russell-Cooke associate Jeremy Coy comments in HR Grapevine that the lack of clarity in the definition of 'societal and political topics' could cause more problems than the ban intends to solve. 

'Toxic turn' | Backlash as former 'best company' vetoes politics chat at work is available to read on the HR Grapevine website.

Jeremy is an associate in the employment team. He has experience acting for large institutional employers as well as small and medium size businesses. Jeremy also advises employees and senior executives, often at short notice on sensitive workplace issues such as restrictive covenants, discrimination and pay related disputes on bonuses, commission and incentive plans. He has particular experience in advising on settlement agreements and negotiating favourable severance payments for employees.