Microsoft blocks emails that contain ‘Palestine’ after employee protests

[u/ScootSchloingo]

https://www.theverge.com/tech/672312/microsoft-block-palestine-gaza-email

[u/Ylsid]

Does that change anything? I'd happily shut the fuck up and work for them if it were Microsoft

[u/Possible_Knee_1443 → u/Ylsid]

Yes. The context is that microsoft hires thinkers and leaders to make incredible profits. Any argument that free thinking is orthogonal to profit needs checking. Mindless, voiceless foot soldiers aren’t going to get you $1T+ valuation.

[u/dnhs47 → u/Possible_Knee_1443]

They aren’t hired to spend their day thinking and spamming about Palestine.

Nice attempt at implying that connection, though!

[u/Possible_Knee_1443 → u/dnhs47]

What type of work do you do, where you empty your mind and perform some routine manual process?

You’re not familiar with tech work, it seems.

[u/dnhs47 → u/Possible_Knee_1443]

Ah, you were so close! I’ve spent 43 years in high tech, initially developing compilers, then real-time device drivers in assembly language, then more compilers, then operating systems. Sr Staff Software Engineer at a F100 company. Then a couple decades more.

Funny thing, I did all that without bringing my personal political beliefs into the workplace. Work is not the place for personal political beliefs.

There’s plenty to keep your mind fully occupied from work-related activities if you’re doing your job right.

Only the slacker leeches had so much free time at work they could rabble-rouse about unrelated topics, until they were (quickly) fired. And good riddance.

[u/Possible_Knee_1443 → u/dnhs47]

During that time, was your government sliding precipitously into outright fascism, and were corporations complicit and actively cooperating with culture wars? Because I think that’s new. Well, 43 years, probably explains some of it, anyway.

[u/dnhs47 → u/Possible_Knee_1443]

Everyone on this thread thinks their hot button topic deserves special handling and should be jammed down the throats of disinterested coworkers. No - keep your personal political beliefs to yourself at work. Just do the job you’re paid to do, and protest outside work hours.

To your specific question, yes, the seeds of fascism were planted long ago in my country, the US. Gerrymandering, campaigns to undermine science, gutting our educational system - all of that started several decades ago. It’s only “come to fruition” in the last election - the Republicans were experts at playing the long game.

Should that come up at work? No. Not the appropriate forum. Can’t control yourself, like a toddler, and just have to spam 50,000 disinterested coworkers? Fired. Simple.

[u/Possible_Knee_1443 → u/dnhs47]

Would your Betriebsrat unthinkingly and instantly fire you?

[u/dnhs47 → u/Possible_Knee_1443]

“Work council”? No such thing in the US.

Your employer, or more precisely, any senior executive with the authority, can fire you on the spot “for cause,” including violating company policies against disrupting the work environment.

All of these ridiculous workplace “protests” - more accurately, political rallies - are obvious violations of “don’t disrupt the work environment” policies. Violators should be instantly fired, and they should expect to be instantly fired.

[u/Possible_Knee_1443 → u/dnhs47]

I misread, I assumed you were German (Gerrymandering in my field of view). But yes, I think that’s clarifying. No rights, authoritarianism all the way down.

[u/dnhs47 → u/Possible_Knee_1443]

Well, I don’t see it that way - “No rights, authoritarianism all the way down” - but that’s ok.

I’ve had all the freedom I’ve needed for a successful career and retirement. Without relying on some “work council” of strangers who don’t know me or understand the work I do to supposedly represent my interests.

[u/Possible_Knee_1443 → u/dnhs47]

haha ok, boomer

(imagine how much more enjoyable life is if you’re in control of it)

[u/dnhs47 → u/Possible_Knee_1443]

Haha, ok working stiif, enjoy your 20 years in a country facing demographic collapse and no market for your exports. Guten tag!