Shall I jump in here, with a couple of glasses of wine in me (my 3.5 yr.
old only nurses 1X a day on avg.)  Anyway, unless you work for the US
gov't or local gov't authority (state, municipal, etc.) your free speech
rights  don't exist. The First Amendment only protects your free speech
from *gov't* interference.   And, even though they have 1st Amendment
rights,  gov't workers have curtailed free speech rights. (If my
recollection is right, there is a case where a nurse employed by a gov't
owned hospital was fired for criticizing certain things--the termination
was upheld.)   Also, if you are using your work computer, you can be
nailed for inappropriate use.  Don't forget that your e-mail is *never*
private, if you use your computer at work.

Having said that, if you report something that is illegal, or even
improper, different states have Whistleblower laws that might protect
you.

Best bet:  also pose situations as a hypothetical, ex:  "What do you
think of this hypothetical"--then give real facts w/o identifying info.

Final note: If you are writing on your own time, with no identifying
remarks (i.e. your institution can't be identified) and you suffer
adverse employment consequences, I suggest seeing a lawyer ASAP.  You may
have some recourse.

Melissa Kirsch, in the lawyer capacity this evening.


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