My question in this thread is really more based in the curiosity of "engagement" on gun rights debates. When I say engagement I mean these people want to debate what American rights should and shouldn't be. I just want to know if folks have similar things happen to them that I have had happen.
I had a situation where two employees got into a very heated debate. The topic is unimportant, but what is important is that the debate lead to a yelling match between them and a harassment complaint.
During my 23 years of employment with state government, I have worked in different capacities for different agencies from rank-and-file positions, first line supervisor, second line supervisor, compliance officer (having to use all applicable local/state/federal laws and regulations), federally certified surveyor, house supervisor of 3 facilities, acting administrator for a large facility while working as a compliance officer, project manager for a statewide pilot program, director of a large facility.
I have taught countless new orientation training and remedial training on workplace civility/professionalism, equal treatment of coworkers, zero tolerance for discrimination of any sort/workplace hostility, teamwork, communication, conflict resolution, etc. etc. in accordance to department and state policies and laws.
As to workplace "debates and discussions" to include gun rights and gun control, I addressed employees using "Ford vs Chevy" debate and discussion. They will agree to disagree but respect each others' opinions and perspectives without demeaning or offending anyone. I told them they can exercise their freedom of speech and express their individuality as long as they did not offend/make another uncomfortable in violation of department/state policies and laws.
As a meat eater, having to work with vegetarians and vegans is like a Chevy fan working in a world of Ford fans. Yet when I expressed my openness and respect for their positions on food consumption, concrete wall barrier started to crumble. When I worked as a surveyor inspecting state and federal licensed/certified facilities, my supervisor was a vegan and we often needed to conduct surveys together where an entire week was spent out of town, often eating together. Even though she knew I was a meat eater, when I expressed I was open to trying non-meat or meat substitute dishes, she was surprised. One night when she drove to Burger King, I was like "We don't have to eat here for me" and she laughed and told me they had non-meat patty she liked. Surprised and curious, I ordered the vegetable patty burger (BTW, Burger King, Subway, Denny's etc. carry vegetable patty option - Some not vegan) and was shocked when it tasted delicious. Apparently there is a world of non-meat and meat substitute food products available from various restaurants and grocery stores and I was educated on which product tasted good and which tasted bad. There is "sweet and sour pork" product made from mushrooms that taste so good that I stopped ordering sweet and sour pork from local Chinese restaurant - True story.
In similar manner, when liberals, Democrats, feminists, vegetarians/vegans who were dead set against guns and wanted gun control, I educated them and shared situation where use of guns for self protection was applicable. I lived and worked in East Los Angeles area during college and I shared with them true stories and hypothetical situation of young females and elderly living in low rent district where crime was high and rape/robbery was rampant. In such situation, 911 won't help and they needed something to protect themselves. After hurricane Andrews, I shared with them true story of a women and her mother who were sobbing before a reporter stating their neighbors who they grew up with went around with baseball bats raping and robbing people. And the only reason why they were not raped and robbed was they were armed with a pistol and shotgun.
And as I continued to share additional true life stories of rape/murder/robbery after natural disasters where police could not maintain law and order, one by one, the liberals/Democrats/feminists/vegetarians/vegans conceded when use of guns for self protection was paramount. And as they themselves became victims of robbery/burglary, they changed their position on gun ownership and Second Amendment. It got to the point where it was them who would start discussions at work about self protection and effective training. After Orlando gay nightclub shooting, things got way more personal for some of my coworkers and anti-gun discussion did an 180 turn in support of guns and Second Amendment. Those that still wanted gun ban to prevent school/mass shootings were challenged by their own to decide how they would protect themselves when 911/police could not protect them.
So this Chevy fan is now working in Ford fan work condition where many are switching and becoming Chevy fans. Underneath the loud chatter of anti-gun screams exists a growing base of new gun owners. Believe me, the historic record setting sales of guns the past 10 years were not all bought by conservatives ... a significant number of guns were bought by liberals, Democrats, feminists, vegetarians and even vegans. Instead of sharing pot luck recipes, now they share latest gun purchases.
My boss views arguments as a competitive sport and enjoys pushing people around. She has bated me several times and tried to get me talking on the subject. I refuse and feel THAT type of discussion doesn't belong in the work place because we are there to work. With her, every conversation is bordering on harassment, and she has had several official complaints filed against her.
When I worked as a house supervisor of 3 facilities, employees reported past history of harassment and verbal abuse by the director. After interviewing employees and collecting facts to support their claims, I reported my findings to Sacramento/HQ and the director was fired. HQ offered me his job but I politely declined as I was planning to move to my retirement location with family.
Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.
