My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Maryland
Is it legal for a Manager/Supervisor to tell an employee that he is not permitted to criticize or complain or express an opinion about management and their practices?
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My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Maryland
Is it legal for a Manager/Supervisor to tell an employee that he is not permitted to criticize or complain or express an opinion about management and their practices?
As you have worded the question, possibly. More details are needed.
FYI, the First Amendment states that the government cannot limit your right to criticize the government. It has nothing to do with what limits your employer can place.
So in the event that the answer to your question is no, and we do not know yet if this is the case, it will not be a freedom of speech issue.
To put it another way, an employer can tell an employee that if that employee says another word they are fired... and it is legal.
An employer can tell an employee that they cannot make a personal phone call or they are fired... and it is legal.
Unless you are an employee of the government (and not even then except in particular cases), the answer to your question is "yes, your employer can tell you that the next complaint will be translated as 'please fire me'"
Let's put it this way...
It does make a negative workplace if everyone is always talking about "My manager is an idiot". Criticism of a supervisor, co-worker, etc., needs to be handled delicately.
And really - if you don't like a supervisors, etc., policy, etc - it's time to start looking for a new job. Because there is only a snowman's chance in Hell of things improving.
Basically, unless you are under an employment contract, you are considered to be working AT WILL. This means you can be fired for any or no reason.
There is a specific law I am thinking of that *might* be impacted by this question so that the answer is no, it would not be legal, but I cannot tell with the information provided. On the other hand, depending on what kind of criticism we are talking about and to whom it is being offered, it's also possible that the answer is yes, it would be legal.
If the OP wants to post back with more detail, I may be able to tell which is which.