Employee Survival Guide®

S6 Ep 111: Free Speech at Work: The Ursula Milde Case


Listen Later

Comment on the Show by Sending Mark a Text Message.

This was case I tried to a jury verdict after six years of litigation. Ursula Milde was my client and she represented the grit and determination to do the right thing even if it meant risking her job.  The whole case stemed from her need to liven up the lives of senior citizens in the assisted living center she ran by hiring a recreation coordinator. The senior citizens spent their whole days watching TV and had little interactive activities to do.  During closing argument, I held up a dollar bill in front of the jury and said that is what it cost per day to hire a recreation coordinator.  The jury was convinced and decided against the employer for violating Ms. Milde's freedom of speech rights.  The defendant housing authority was a quasi public private company, hence the freedom of speech issue.  This was a 2006 jury verdict yet the law is still the same today.  

This episode is part of my initiative to provide access to important court decisions  impacting employees in an easy to understand conversational format using AI.  The speakers in the episode are AI generated and frankly sound great to listen to.  Enjoy!

Prepare to dive deep into the complex world of workplace rights and free speech in this riveting episode! We follow the story of Ursula Milde, who bravely advocated for essential recreational services for seniors despite facing pushback from her employer. This episode examines her journey, the conflicts with her boss, Benjamin Little, and how her public statements led to a landmark legal battle concerning employee rights.

Expect to uncover the intricacies of communication in the workplace, the fine line between employee rights and authority, and the challenges of navigating disputes in a professional setting. The discussion extends to the implications of a pivotal Supreme Court case, Garcetti v. Ceballos, which reshaped what it means to express oneself at work, and how it applies to Milde’s scenario.

As we analyze the legal considerations and social ramifications of Milde's case, we invite you to reflect on your own workplace experiences and the delicate balance between speaking up and obeying authority. This episode will leave you questioning what you would do in Milde's shoes and whether or not you would stand up for your beliefs, even in the face of significant risk. Join us as we explore these vital workplace themes—tune in, share your thoughts, and be part of this critical conversation!

If you enjoyed this episode of the Employee Survival Guide please like us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We would really appreciate if you could leave a review of this podcast on your favorite podcast player such as Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review will inform other listeners you found the content on this podcast is important in the area of employment law in the United States.

For more information, please contact our employment attorneys at Carey & Associates, P.C. at 203-255-4150, www.capclaw.com.

Disclaimer: For educational use only, not intended to be legal advice.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Employee Survival Guide®By Mark Carey

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

20 ratings


More shows like Employee Survival Guide®

View all
The Moth by The Moth

The Moth

27,249 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,329 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,444 Listeners

Today, Explained by Vox

Today, Explained

10,228 Listeners

Dateline NBC by NBC News

Dateline NBC

47,964 Listeners

Two Hot Takes by Morgan Absher

Two Hot Takes

7,851 Listeners

Good Morning, HR by Mike Coffey, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Good Morning, HR

57 Listeners

Smosh Reads Reddit Stories by Smosh

Smosh Reads Reddit Stories

1,614 Listeners

The HR Investigations Podcast by RPC HR

The HR Investigations Podcast

13 Listeners

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break by Pam Howland

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

12 Listeners