In an effort to show support for demonstrators across the country, hundreds of Facebook employees planned a virtual walkout to protest inflammatory messages posted on social media by the President, Donald Trump. The virtual "walkout" — since most employees are working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic — meant that employees stopped working for the day in protest as well as circulated petitions and threatening to resign.
"The hateful rhetoric advocating violence against black demonstrators by the US President does not warrant defense under the guise of freedom of expression," one Facebook employee wrote in an internal message board. "Along with Black employees in the company, and all persons with a moral conscience, I am calling for Mark to immediately take down the President’s post advocating violence, murder, and imminent threat against Black people."
Social Media-Branded Virtual Protests
Facebook Employees Stage a Virtual 'Walkout' In Protest
Trend Themes
1. Remote Virtual Protests - Companies may see an increase in virtual walkouts as employees work remotely amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Social Media Activism - The use of social media to organize protests and express solidarity may continue to rise as current events increasingly affect workers' personal and professional lives.
3. Employee Activism - Employee activism may become more prevalent as individuals demand accountability and action from their employers on social and political issues.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media Platforms - Social media platforms may need to critically evaluate their content policies and moderation practices, as employees and users increasingly call for accountability and ethical action.
2. Technology Companies - Tech companies may need to navigate the intersection of social and political issues with their business values and practices in order to avoid backlash from employees, users, and stakeholders.
3. Workplace Communications Tools - The use of virtual walkouts and other employee-led protests may create new opportunities for workplace communications tools to facilitate dialogue and action between employees and management.