Fired State Worker's Email Sin: Telling The Truth

Let's look closely at the email sent to co-workers that cost a state employee his job
and see who is behaving inappropriately.

Here is its text:

"Do you know someone who votes that does not have a State ID that meets requirements to vote? Tell them they can go to the DMV/DOT and get a free ID card. However they must ask for the free ID.  A memo was sent out by the 3rd in command of the DMV/DOT.

"The memo specifically told the employees at the DMV/DOT not to inform individuals that the ID’s are free. So if the individuals seeking to get the free ID does not ask for a free ID, they will have to pay for it!!

"Just wanted everyone to be informed!!  REMEMBER TO TELL ANYONE YOU KNOW!! ANYONE!! EVEN IF THEY DON’T NEED THE FREE ID, THEY MAY KNOW SOMEONE THAT DOES!! SO TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!"

The state has said the sent email was part of a pattern of email abuse about which the employee had been counseled, so was essentially a final straw - - but the worker, who, as a limited-term employee cannot use state appeal procedures to win back his job, denies that.

Here's what's inappropriate: the complete lack of perspective and judgement in taking away a state employee's job, in a bad economy, over something trivial, but politically-laden, as the Walker administration is taking heat for the Voter ID policy application which the email addresses.

The take-away for state workers in this case: criticize the boss, lose your job. Just what public service needs - - a fresh fear factor. 

Employees in the private and public sectors have lost their jobs for sending emails that were X-rated, or harassing, or for using computers to link to sites clearly unrelated to work.

In this case, the emailer's sin was discussing state business that was in the news.

And for passing along factually-correct information that embarrassed the boss.

Poor judgement by the worker? Maybe.

But a firing offense?

Hardly.

Do we believe that state officials and Walker appointees never use their email accounts to discuss ongoing state political business, or never use their state computers or phones to enter private email accounts to comment more freely?

And for the Walker people: The episode is arrogant and absurd, as they are only drawing attention to the politically-motivated, fee-collecting enforcement of the Voter ID bill and their continuing disregard for state employee's rights and well-being.

Walker bragged to the fake Koch brother that he dropped the bomb on state workers by surprising them and blowing away their collective bargaining power.

And is pleased to still throw a grenade now and then, just because he can, spurring the recall movement gathering strength at the grassroots as petition-filing opportunities approach.