I work for a tech company in Silicon Valley. I've been fortunate that our company culture has been relatively a-political for years - aside from some co-workers vocally expressing their distaste for Trump, or being excited for the Russia-gate situation.
However, now after the George Floyd situation, our CEO has sent out a couple of emails that he is "just now starting his journey" on learning about racism in the US and how to be an ally. There's mention of implementing "Diversity & Inclusion" initiatives, as well as learning about "inherent bias" and we're being encouraged to join an allyship challenge and donate to BLM-related causes.
He said he "welcomes any feedback" - but I really think I might be putting my job on the line to speak out.
I just want to keep politics out of the workplace.
The only avenue I feel comfortable speaking out is we can anonymously post questions for our occasional "town hall" meetings.
Do you have any suggestions? Advice?
In my experience, companies asking for "honest feedback" is a honey trap they use to weed out the undesirables.
'Honest feedback' whinery is one of the best ways managerial staff have of figuring out who are their weak links. It is meant to be an outlet for dissatisfied employees to get things off their chest with people who will keep it quiet with the goal of keeping it 'in the family' if at all possible. But it puts the whiner on a shit list. You are now a problem employee. Its not always fair, but thats just how shit works.
Absolutely. I've watched this movie before.
Yeah sounds like they're fishing for justification and want to go "oh well we got all this feedback about it" (while they ignore anything that went against it).
SAY NOTHING if you want to continue your employment there. If that isn't an option, then start looking for another job. It will not get better from here. But saying NOTHING is your best bet if you still wish to work there.
The "welcomes any feedback" is a trap. Don't fall for it.
I feel that this is probably true, but I'd still feel like I could say something through the "anonymous" question channel - just not quite sure how to put it.
Look for a different job.
Politics should not be part of the work environment. Any more than religion.
Profits are better than wages. Start a business.
Well, at least I'm not alone.
Our company has been pretty small for years, but recently we've done a lot of hiring. Including a new c-level exec (the one in charge of HR) who used to work for a famous left-wing activist organization.
I would say keep your effing mouth SHUT, and decide in your mind that your employer is now fired, and they just don't know it. You are now a free agent. Look for a new job on your own terms in your own time, and wait it out.
The only good thing about this whole situation is that it sucks to be quit or fired or downsized and have so much stress on you when youre between jobs... its just ideal to get your new job at your own pace while still working. It takes all the stress off.
If this is coming down from the top, the very top, or the very top of your particular chain, Ive seen it too many times... the people at the top are ruthless. No one stands a chance against them. Not you, or your top performing office star, or the beloved boss, or even the boss' boss. If you take your stand against the TOP, it will be a "Who's coming with me" situation in the end.
Eyes on your own work, and leave as soon as you see another offer you can't refuse. Save up your sick days to be able to call out to do interviews. It could be fun. And then your last day can be as epic as you want it to be. You can just kick them right in the nuts on your way out the door.
Keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, get some certifications in your field amd look for a new job.
Remain silent and above the fray. Hope this idiocy passes. If you are “required” to support a black organization, consider:
Bob Woodson’s 1776 project, or Shelby Steele at the Hoover Institute, or some other conservative black organization. Buy Larry Elder’s DVD “Uncle Tom” and giving it to your CEO, anonymously.
I plan on buying Uncle Tom as I love Larry. It good?
It has great moments. It could be longer, more detailed. It’s a good introduction to these personalities.
I really like the Larry Elder stuff I've watched so far, thanks for the suggestion - I'll check it out.
Lean into it hard. While looking for new employment, encourage them to be as woke as possible. Try to have them form a committee, get them to make rules that will cause the company nothing but problems. Recommend more diversity in senior management, so someone loses their job. Start a witch hunt for something. Then bail to your new job. Let them eat themselves. Normal businesses cant afford to keep up with all the bullshit that will be demanded. If you resist, they'll just shit can you. Might as well leave your mark on the way out.
If you can't lose your job, First, look for a new one. Second, support anything that doesn't require you to donate or support the BLM causes. Say you don't generate to large charities out of principle and figure out some local mentorship program or something near by you can legitimately support. Start supporting it yesterday, so you can say you began donating in June. Cover your rear. Depending on the environment, I wouldn't trust anonymous notes either. It can just spiral into a witch hunt.
I actually do work for a local non-profit on the side, maybe that will count.
Very interesting, but not sure how to hit them with this.
I highly recommend watching this tim pool podcast. Watch from 1hour 40min mark until Tim gets super pissed around 2 hour mark. That’s what you should do imo.
https://youtu.be/oco2vtSb51Y
He's virtue signaling and seeking pats on the back. With that said, it depends on what you're willing to put on the line. Ideally you'd tell him you don't approve of the political influence in the workplace and would prefer it remain apolitical if you are to continue to work there. However you must be prepared to leave. Otherwise, leave it alone, and instead focus your energy in finding a way out.
Quit and start a business
If you want to keep your job I would just stay quiet. There’s no point losing your job for nothing. Being strategic
It's not going to be 33% in these leftist hellholes. California tech companies have managed to corner the market on woke dumb idiots.
Yeah and out here you have to be chill about the commotion you make on the way out. People will have no problem finding your new employer and letting their contacts there know you are conservative scum. There are conservative businesses sprinkled around, we keep it low key though. Identify some conservative contacts in your field and network with them. Hopefully you can find something with a decent work environment and not a bunch of crazies.
One of my coworkers is a super based black woman. The women from other parts of our building talk so much shit to her about the known conservatives in their offices. If they are people we can use, we usually try and throw them a line.
Please tell me what some of the conservative businesses are. All my fellow conservatives are just hunkered down trying to shelter from the storm.
This is Silicon Valley we're talking about. It doesn't sound like you've ever been or worked there.
I have one co-worker who I openly discuss politics with. He's a leftie - but fairly moderate. We enjoy the debates and the back and forth trying to red/blue pill each other. But even he thinks this new stuff is too much.
But I don't know anyone else at my job that is based.