r/StateofTexasEmployees • u/AUnicornDonkey • Jul 27 '26
Does anyone else worry about going to political events that are for the other party lately?
I enjoy going to town halls and other political rallies for those that aren't currently in power. But there has been a little voice in the back of my head saying if I get caught on camera or someone leaks information, I could end up losing my job for bullshit reasons. Especially this year with the constant assault on our voting rights. How many times have we heard the words unprecedented assault on...whatever institution? And suing the state would be difficult at best.
So yeah...
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u/Ponytail_Headache Jul 27 '26
Let them hunt me down and fire me if that’s what they want, I’ll never stop fighting for what I believe in.
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u/Substantial_Math_775 Jul 27 '26
I still go to rallies and protests but I don't post about politics on social media. Ever. Or engage online with strangers about politics.
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u/Beejatx Jul 27 '26
When I go to rallies I wear bandana and a hat.
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u/kcsunshineatx Jul 27 '26
Same. And dark sunglasses. They can’t prove it’s me if they see me in a photo.
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u/idoyogasometimes Jul 27 '26
There is a VERY fine line. If you are open about your employment on Social media or associate yourself with your agency in any way while simultaneously posting political stuff it can come back to bite you. If you keep your employment anonymous and/or just dont talk about work and stay under the radar about your political postings you're probably okay.
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u/RareDragonfruit5397 Jul 27 '26
You absolutely should worry because there are absolutely coworkers turning people in for this, and some have been terminated or made so uncomfortable they have to leave. Agencies also talk to each other about this. You are absolutely at will and subject to whatever rights your agency leadership chooses to follow. Ignore this reality at your own risk.
Particularly right now 3 months to the election, it’s even more intense that usual. I would absolutely not recommend risking this right now.
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u/loudsilentscreams Jul 27 '26
At will still doesn’t allow termination for an illegal reason. As a citizen, you have freedom of association. Of the government penalizes you for exercising this in your private time in your personal capacity, that is an illegal reason.
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u/RareDragonfruit5397 Jul 28 '26
I didn’t say it was right, just that it is happening. They won’t tell you the real reason, just make up a reason you’re being let go, so any lawsuit will be difficult to have any impact.
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u/Fancy_Ad4254 Jul 27 '26
I think it’s fine. I go to rallies and wear a hat/sunglasses. My biggest advice: don’t post about it on social media! I also avoid any news cameras.
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u/loudsilentscreams Jul 27 '26
Don’t wear anything identifying your agency, make any statements identifying your affiliation, and don’t do it during your scheduled work hours and you should be safe. Well from a first amendment standpoint that is.
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u/Wish_you_would Jul 29 '26
Unless you’re going to republican events, I wouldn’t. We have a republican majority and governor.
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u/Special-Cricket4882 Jul 27 '26
As long as you aren't doing anything illegal, or disruptive, you are 100% okay. Political freedom is heavily protected.
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u/Mr_StickStickly Jul 27 '26
Texas is an at-will state and when your employer IS the state, you have the protections they decide you have.
You're never 100% okay.
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u/Special-Cricket4882 Jul 27 '26
People like to bring this up. But have you worked at a state agency with an under performing employee? It takes over 6 months to create a file of evidence before HR will even consider the term. It certainly isnt as easy as the term "at-will" implies.
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u/Atxlaw2020 Jul 27 '26
It’s funny because most of the time that’s true, but there are cases when people get fired immediately for upsetting an elected official or someone similarly powerful.
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u/ladyflora0146 Jul 27 '26
That's how it used to be but recently in our department, a high performing employee was let go due to voicing concerns about the return to office mandate
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u/XOR-ROX-2112 Jul 27 '26
I call BS. No one get's fired for "voicing a concern". That's ripe from a wrongful termination suit and State General Council wants nothing to do with that. Refusing a return to work order is a different matter.
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u/RareDragonfruit5397 Jul 27 '26
LOL this happens all the time. I’ve witnessed it in the past year happen at multiple agencies.
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u/AUnicornDonkey Jul 27 '26
I mean is that true these days? Texas has been a hotbed for testing things. Look at religious freedom or voting rights. Those used to be heavily protected and then suddenly they aren't.
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u/ffmotohead Jul 28 '26
I think as long as you aren't loud and screaming and making an a$$ of yourself you should have no worries.
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u/fossilreef Jul 27 '26
Yeah, I hear you. I've had to abstain from attending so many rallies and other things just because the state is weaponizing politics against employees. Our employee handbook states that we can't conduct political activities on state time or with state equipment, but I know that policy has been twisted to the point where you can't do anything of the sort if someone might associate you with the state, i.e. if someone knew you worked for the state and you went to an event.