Read the following:
A former BIGCORP, INC. employee says her supervisor fired her last week for refusing to remove an antiwar button from her shirt in the workplace. Sarah Dove said supervisor Chris McHawk terminated her employment and escorted her from the building after she defied a company policy that prohibits political statements about the war on Iraq in the workplace but allows displaying the American flag.
Dove said she had worked for the not-for-profit educational-testing and research company for seven months as a temporary employee. She was planning to leave the company in eight weeks to attend graduate school before the April 4 firing, she said.
"People who don't say, 'Rah, rah, support the war' are told they have to shut up," said Dove, 25. "It was obvious in that environment that a pro-war attitude was acceptable, while a pro-peace mindset was not."
Two BIGCORP, INC. employees confirmed Monday that Dove was fired for not removing the button. A company spokesman said it could not discuss personnel issues. BIGCORP, INC. is a privately held corporation.
For each of the following questions, write a 3-5 sentence answer.
a. Does Dove have a good case against BIGCORP, INC. for violation of her freedom of speech?
b. How would you defend against this case if you were BIGCORP, INC.?
c. What "freedom of speech" rights do employees have in the workplace?