United Airlines’ warning to employees is plain and simple: be nice to others, especially on social media, or you may lose your job. But during a period of heightened awareness on issues of race, how should one avoid “racially charged” statements without having to avoid public conversation?
A Difficult Time For Everyone, Especially United Employees
The memo, reviewed by Live and Let’s Fly, starts by counting up the many reasons United employees may be frustrated. Yet it stresses personal responsibility, an ongoing theme of memo.
“The past few months have been extremely challenging for all of us. Sheltering in place, social distancing, uncertainty about the future of our company and our jobs, and the recent unrest due to racial intolerance and discrimination – all of these take their toll. While it may not feel like you have a lot of control over what’s happening around you, it’s important to remember that you are in control of how you react.”
The memo goes on to remind employees that even when they are passionate about an issue, “dignity and respect” must always rule the day. United reminds employees that its “commitment to diversity, inclusion, equality and social justice is unwavering” and notes that employees are responsible for uploading those values, even in a private capacity.
What Is Offensive Or Racially Charged?
Stressing a “safe and inclusive” work environment, United specifically prohibits employees from posting things that are “offensive” (but doesn’t explain what offensive is) or “racially charged” (but also doesn’t define that term).
“We work to promote a safe and inclusive environment. It’s valuable to bring together people from different backgrounds who express different views, but we need to pay attention to our words and how they may impact our diverse population of employees and customers. It’s not okay to say (or post) things that are offensive or racially charged.”
The term “racially charged” is a vague one. Telling people to “check privilege at the door” is racially charged. So is “all lives matter”. The entire national conversation is racially charged at this moment. It is not clear how employees should avoid this (versus making overtly racist statements).
United also notes that nothing on the internet is truly hidden:
“And where social media is concerned, it doesn’t matter whether your post is public or within a closed group – nothing on the internet is truly private or anonymous. Use common sense and good judgment, and if you have any doubt about whether or not what you’re saying or posting may be offensive, you probably want to avoid it.”
That’s a good strategy not just for employment, but for life.
United Airlines Social Media Warning: Be Nice Or Face Termination
To underscore the seriousness of the situation, United warns employees there will be consequences if they do not follow this policy:
“We’re committed to maintaining a workplace free from offensive or harassing statements, language and actions. It’s never okay to criticize others on the basis of race, gender, age or any other protected category. This includes conduct within the workplace, as well as outside of the workplace and on social media. We take this very seriously. Employees who violate this policy may be subject to discipline up to and including termination.”
Unlike “racially charged” or “offensive” above, harassment is very clearly defined in the employee handbook. The multi-page definition and explanation make it clear that harassment goes far beyond unwanted physical touching.
CONCLUSION
United has reminded employees that it must be nice to others, especially on social media. It’s a good reminder that employers in general may monitor employee internet and social media usage and can use even those ostensibly private conversations to take corrective or disciplinary action. As for United specifically, it should better explain what constitutes a “racially charged” opinion.
> Read More: Cathay Pacific’s Illogical Warning Over Social Media Use
LOL. I’m reminded of the time I told an FA I loved watching FA vlogs on youtube. Her reply: That sounds like a good way to get fired!
My company has a similar policy: Sing our praises on social media but if we don’t like what you say, you’re toast. I am consistently shocked by people who advertise “I work at X but my views are my own.” That’s not gonna protect you from HR or even the court of public opinion!
My company has the same policy and has for years. I left Facebook years ago and try to keep my online posts civil unless they involve shady politicians, who technically work for me anyway. Common sense really.
Wish United would worry more about being fair to the employees who worked their lifetime helping to make company successful. SHAMEFUL how their leadership ALLOWED the separation packages offered.
Don’t any of you care that this is a total violation of your first amendment rights??? It’s absolutely none of their business what your views, and opinions are OR how they are expressed outside of work. The fact that they have openly threatened punishment towards its employees is a class action lawsuit BEGGING to be made.
Actually it’s not, and that’s the problem. The Constitution protects you from the government, not from a private party like an employer. I *wish* it included private parties because it would insulate the employer from lawsuits that force them to persecute your natural right to free speech.
Seriously, why would anyone want to work for United? I stay away from social media and do not share or comment on anything I may regret later BUT what United is doing is really bad in my opinion. They are looking for every angle a way to get people fired. Who will decide if someone’s post on social media is nice or naughty? How about the right to have your own opinion? Yes, if it is something offensive I understand but this is very dangerous since what might not seem offensive to you might be to someone at United HR and they will terminate you because of that. Last time I got into a United plane was probably 20 years ago. That will never happen again.
As I just published, Delta just sent employees a nearly-identical letter:
https://liveandletsfly.com/delta-conservative-flight-attendant/
“It is not clear how employees should avoid this (versus making overtly racist statements).”
The answer is, don’t say anything on social media, especially if it can be construed in any way as politically incorrect thoughtcrime. You’re playing with fire in this age of doxxing and cancel culture, especially if you work for a big corporation, or think you might want to some day.
But seriously, you could be fired under such a policy for your heartfelt Facebook note last Saturday…I find that unacceptable.
The reality is, in today’s environment, what I posted on Facebook (or anything that can be construed as “non-Progressive” in general) IS viewed as thoughtcrime by a large and vocal segment of society. I can guarantee you if I still worked in the Big 4, if they found out about it, at a minimum I would have been called into the principal’s office and warned that such a post can be viewed as “insensitive” and asked to either delete it, or post an apology. If they were looking for a reason to fire me, that would have been the excuse to make it happen. And I can think of at least a handful of commenters on this site that would be cheering it on.
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”
― George Orwell, 1984
Nice of United to fire a warning shot across the bow. I just read your post on the lady at Delta.
I do think it’s crazy that anything you say that is not fully 100% aligned with BLM or the protests is now considered “racist.” Like for instance even referencing statistical data is considered racist and hateful.
Just another assault on free speech
I never understand how this company-internal stuff is of anybody’s concern outside of the respective company.
Its an internal employee memo. Does it need to be broadcast across the internet? Just because it’s an airline doesn’t make it an exception.
Because this blog is about airlines, with a particular focus on United Airlines. It also is a window into issues impacting the larger society around us. And, of course, it’s my blog. 😉
You missed the point Matthew. It’s an *internal* memo for United employees. Of which you are not. It doesn’t effect service onboard, mileage redemption, service, routes or anything else. Basically, it’s none of your business. And the petulant child response of “it’s my blog”…. Really?
You’re speaking past what I just wrote. I gave you two reasons why I chose to write about it. The third was tongue and cheek. If you disagree, you don’t have to read it. And you also don’t have to share internal communications with me. Many of your colleagues do…and ask me to write about it.
You can only disagree with something written, *after* reading it.
I read it. I disagree with you posting it, however “tongue-in-cheek” you may think it is.
And you’re assuming I work for United.
No, “speaking past” as in not addressing these points I made, just re-asserting your own.
I agree, I think it’s bad taste to make public every internal memo. Especially the inconsequential ones like this that don’t affect the flying public in any way.
Thanks for understanding what I meant, Tony.
I can assure you I don’t make public “every” internal memo.
I too feel the bigger story here is the decision to knowingly share internal memo’s with the public. At the frequency internal memos appear on blogs such as these, it would appear they are gratefully accepted from a handful of airline contacts without a reminder of the risks to their continued employment by their provision.
On this occasion, the story could have been easily crafted to omit the airline name without changing meaning. The internal memo was sent as a reminder of long time company policy in the wake of the dismissal of another airline’s employee for online racist commentary during a period of unparalleled racial tension. Seems an appropriate action. Instead, as made clear by comments, it can provide the platform for readers to publicly state whey they hate the named airline (after having not flown them in 20 years) and will never fly them again. This is exactly why the policy exists. A common sense, internal company policy reminder needlessly turning into a platform for brand damage.
Matthew, it is not that you make “every”internal memo public, it is your access to them, the decision to use them and the risk you place the provider in doing so.
Can I let you in on something? Sometimes it is the company itself that shares internal memos with me…
… so United shares internal, company confidential memos with you, a non-UA employee, and says to go ahead and share on the internet.
Okay……. smh
I have a wide range of sources.
Thank you for advising without confirming. Knowing airline Social Media teams follow your blog, they can measure their message goals against reader feedback results.
Uniteds a hammer. Everything else is a nail….
This was not an “internal memo”. I’m an employee and saw it here.
I will not shrink from the truth and nobody here should either, everyone has a right to voice their opinion and just because silence is demanded by some or taking a knee, but capitulation is not an option.
Could you please cite your references? I would appreciate having them before moving forward on something. Thank you!
An internal memo that I cannot post here since it was shared with me on that condition.