Federal Drive

Federal employees freedom of expression being tested

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has dismissed one of its top organic standards experts because he expressed personal opinions on technical matters. Attorney ...

Federal News Network Staff

December 16, 2010 9:41 am

< a min read

An Agriculture Department employee has been fired for expressing his personal opinions on technical matters. The incident happened in the National Organic Program. It raised once again the issue of policy versus free speech in the federal workplace. Just what are the limits to free speech while carrying out official duties? We put this question to Bill Bransford, partner at the law firm Shaw, Bransford and Roth.