Question

Do companies have a legal obligation to allow unbridled employee criticism without retaliation (i.e., without recourse to firing)? Do they have an ethical obligation to allow such criticism?

Answer 1

Answer: This depends on the type of criticism that has been made by the employee. The first amendment of the constitution relating to protection of right of freedom of expression does not cover employees of the companies. In some situations where the criticism is baseless and can harm the brand value of the company, the employer may retaliate legally citing the damage to reputation as a cause. But when the employees are highlighting some unethical or unlawful behaviors of the companies, the companies cannot do so as this falls in a category of Whistle blowing and can be legally defended. But it is the ethical duty of the employers to provide a free voice for dissent to the employees. It is not ethically right to put any restrictions on the freedom of speech inside the company as it also helps the companies to improve them.