US Airways issues guidelines to keep employees from talking; workers denounce rules as 'another form of intimidation'
Karen Ferrick-Roman, Times Staff 01/08/2004
The Times Photo Illustration
US Airways wants its employees to shut their mouths about what's going
on in the company - unless they hear or see other employees talking. Then
they can rat on co-workers via the company hot line or Web site.
Within the last week, the airline has sent a 26-page booklet to all
employees, titled "Business Conduct and Ethics Policy."
The booklet's first page reads: "As an employee of US Airways Inc., or
of one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of US Airways Group, you have an
obligation at all times to promote the company's interests."
Besides not talking to the media, which has been a long-standing
company policy, the handbook also bans employees from identifying themselves
as US Airways employees online.
"It's yet again another form of intimidation, kind of censoring the
employees away from letting the public and media know what's going on
internally," said Teddy Xidas, president of the US Airways' Association of
Flight Attendants.
In a letter that accompanied the booklet, employees are told that
"should you observe or become aware of any violation of this policy, the
company has established a mailing address, a Web site address and a
toll-free hot line where employees can voice their concern, complaint or
question." The letter goes on to say that information provided by employees
is confidential and can be anonymous.
"It's a police state," said Chris Fox, president of the local
Communications Workers of America chapter that represents US Airways
employees.
"The last time an executive was here, they were encouraging people to
squeal on fellow employees," Fox said. "We told them straight out, 'We're
not going to be doing that. That's not our job. ... According to our (union)
bylaws and constitution, we don't do that.' We were adamant on that."
Even from their home computers, the booklet said, employees are
"prohibited from identifying yourself as a company employee when posting
comments on the Internet or on other online services. This rule applies even
if a statement is included that clearly states the user is expressing his or
her own ideas and not necessarily those of the company."
How this would affect the US Airways employees Web site and various
newsletters operated by US Airways employees isn't clear.
Asked whether the policy was an attempt to shut down employee Web
sites, US Airways spokesman David Castelveter said: "Not at all. But there
has to be some very clear guidelines as to how US Airways can and cannot be
represented publicly."
"If you imply (online) that you're a US Airways employee, you're
breaking this policy," Xidas said. "What happens? Who knows? I guess it
depends on the gravity of the violation, as the company sees it."
It could result in a warning and reprimand or a firing, she said.
Any corporation has the right to set policy for employees; the First
Amendment kicks in primarily when the government tries to squelch free
speech, Xidas said.
"It doesn't deter me as local union representative of the flight
attendants of Pittsburgh to speak out on behalf of our membership," said
Xidas, who received her booklet on Saturday.
The booklet's policy stating that employees must have the airline's
written permission to hold a second job, including self-employment, is new,
said Fox, who had not yet received her booklet.
"I wonder if this applies to executives themselves," said Fox, noting
that some executives run consulting companies.
The booklet said that "outside employment that might embarrass or
reflect discredit upon or conflict with the best interest of the company for
employees, their spouses, domestic partners or members of immediate families
is not allowed."
"Immediate family," Fox said, "that's a little bit much."
The booklet addresses conflicts of interests and bribes; protecting
the company's nonpublic information, especially against competitors; owning
stock, making political contributions and lobbying; and following safety and
nondiscriminatory rules, as well as other procedures.
"We've always had a business ethics policy," Castelveter said. "It's
only responsible for companies to remind employees of its business ethics."
Castelveter, who would not comment on what is old and what is new in
the policy and whether the employee hot line is new, said, "These are
internal measures. These are policies designed for US Airways to work with
their employees. They're not for public debate. They're not unusual."
However, Xidas made note that the handbooks were mailed after the
leader of the pilots union publicly demanded the ouster of US Airways' chief
executive officer and chief financial officer.
"They want to control what we say to the public," Xidas said. "Nobody
wants to go to a business where they know for sure there's labor unrest."
The policy will be effective, Xidas said.
"Fewer people will know exactly what is going on. And that's the way
management wants it."
RULES TO FOLLOW
Some of the guidelines US Airways spells out:
Employees should not discuss company business with anyone.
If an employee overhears another employee talking about company
business with someone, then it's OK to report it via a company hot line or
Web site.
Employees cannot identify themselves as employees online even on their
personal computers.
Employees must have written consent from management to hold a second
job.
Karen Ferrick-Roman can be reached online at kroman@timesonline.com.
Karen Ferrick-Roman, Times Staff 01/08/2004
The Times Photo Illustration
US Airways wants its employees to shut their mouths about what's going
on in the company - unless they hear or see other employees talking. Then
they can rat on co-workers via the company hot line or Web site.
Within the last week, the airline has sent a 26-page booklet to all
employees, titled "Business Conduct and Ethics Policy."
The booklet's first page reads: "As an employee of US Airways Inc., or
of one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of US Airways Group, you have an
obligation at all times to promote the company's interests."
Besides not talking to the media, which has been a long-standing
company policy, the handbook also bans employees from identifying themselves
as US Airways employees online.
"It's yet again another form of intimidation, kind of censoring the
employees away from letting the public and media know what's going on
internally," said Teddy Xidas, president of the US Airways' Association of
Flight Attendants.
In a letter that accompanied the booklet, employees are told that
"should you observe or become aware of any violation of this policy, the
company has established a mailing address, a Web site address and a
toll-free hot line where employees can voice their concern, complaint or
question." The letter goes on to say that information provided by employees
is confidential and can be anonymous.
"It's a police state," said Chris Fox, president of the local
Communications Workers of America chapter that represents US Airways
employees.
"The last time an executive was here, they were encouraging people to
squeal on fellow employees," Fox said. "We told them straight out, 'We're
not going to be doing that. That's not our job. ... According to our (union)
bylaws and constitution, we don't do that.' We were adamant on that."
Even from their home computers, the booklet said, employees are
"prohibited from identifying yourself as a company employee when posting
comments on the Internet or on other online services. This rule applies even
if a statement is included that clearly states the user is expressing his or
her own ideas and not necessarily those of the company."
How this would affect the US Airways employees Web site and various
newsletters operated by US Airways employees isn't clear.
Asked whether the policy was an attempt to shut down employee Web
sites, US Airways spokesman David Castelveter said: "Not at all. But there
has to be some very clear guidelines as to how US Airways can and cannot be
represented publicly."
"If you imply (online) that you're a US Airways employee, you're
breaking this policy," Xidas said. "What happens? Who knows? I guess it
depends on the gravity of the violation, as the company sees it."
It could result in a warning and reprimand or a firing, she said.
Any corporation has the right to set policy for employees; the First
Amendment kicks in primarily when the government tries to squelch free
speech, Xidas said.
"It doesn't deter me as local union representative of the flight
attendants of Pittsburgh to speak out on behalf of our membership," said
Xidas, who received her booklet on Saturday.
The booklet's policy stating that employees must have the airline's
written permission to hold a second job, including self-employment, is new,
said Fox, who had not yet received her booklet.
"I wonder if this applies to executives themselves," said Fox, noting
that some executives run consulting companies.
The booklet said that "outside employment that might embarrass or
reflect discredit upon or conflict with the best interest of the company for
employees, their spouses, domestic partners or members of immediate families
is not allowed."
"Immediate family," Fox said, "that's a little bit much."
The booklet addresses conflicts of interests and bribes; protecting
the company's nonpublic information, especially against competitors; owning
stock, making political contributions and lobbying; and following safety and
nondiscriminatory rules, as well as other procedures.
"We've always had a business ethics policy," Castelveter said. "It's
only responsible for companies to remind employees of its business ethics."
Castelveter, who would not comment on what is old and what is new in
the policy and whether the employee hot line is new, said, "These are
internal measures. These are policies designed for US Airways to work with
their employees. They're not for public debate. They're not unusual."
However, Xidas made note that the handbooks were mailed after the
leader of the pilots union publicly demanded the ouster of US Airways' chief
executive officer and chief financial officer.
"They want to control what we say to the public," Xidas said. "Nobody
wants to go to a business where they know for sure there's labor unrest."
The policy will be effective, Xidas said.
"Fewer people will know exactly what is going on. And that's the way
management wants it."
RULES TO FOLLOW
Some of the guidelines US Airways spells out:
Employees should not discuss company business with anyone.
If an employee overhears another employee talking about company
business with someone, then it's OK to report it via a company hot line or
Web site.
Employees cannot identify themselves as employees online even on their
personal computers.
Employees must have written consent from management to hold a second
job.
Karen Ferrick-Roman can be reached online at kroman@timesonline.com.