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Workplace Free Expression

Workplace free expression addresses the ability of employees to engage in expressive activity at or away from the workplace, on subjects related or unrelated to the workplace, free from discipline or the threat of discipline or discharge by the employer.

Blog July 16, 2025

Can I share my thoughts about the war in Israel/Gaza, or will it cost me my job?

The recent firing of Katherine Grzejszczak, a paramedic working for the Regional Municipality of York (north of Toronto), for her Facebook comment condemning Israel’s bombing of Iran, killing children at food aid depots, and the murdering of journalists, municipal workers, and healthcare workers highlights a serious problem involving workers’ rights to freedom of expression.
Blog June 3, 2025

Where Are the Canadian Teachers?

I recently returned from a visit to Mexico, staying for a few days near the Zocalo, the historic centre of Mexico City. Seeing this part of the city was a significant challenge. The great square that is the Zocalo, as well as most of the streets feeding into it, were blocked by hundreds of tents. The tents were strung up between buildings and covered by large tarpaulins, protecting the thousands of people in the tents from the intense heat and the occasional rain. After we left, the protesters marched on the airport, finally receiving international media coverage. Who are these people?
Database January 1, 2025

Freedom of Expression @Work

The Freedom of Expression @Work Database contains legal decisions regarding discipline (including dismissal) of employees for their expression via social media and/or in-person either in the workplace and outside of work.
Blog January 29, 2024

SHHH! WE DON’T TALK ABOUT THAT: Preparing students to engage with difficult issues

Do you ever worry that Canadians have a niceness problem? In classes and in groups many of us are afraid to voice opinions that others might see as unpleasant, contrary, or even worse, hateful. It isn’t that we all agree with one another. Our opinions and views are as varied as they are in any other society. But many of us have been conditioned simply to be agreeable with one another. We have not learned how to disagree or that disagreement can lead to better understanding of issues. It is a skill that can and should be taught from a very early age.