Should Our Soldiers Be Allowed To Criticise The Army's New Political Correct Recruitment Ads About Inclusivity, Without The Fear Of Disciplinary Action Being Taken Towards Them?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6027177/Soldiers-criticise-Armys-new-recruitment-ads-inclusivity-face-disciplinary-action.html

[andy-hughes]

I would suggest that the army is unhappy about criticism from within, rather than specifically the object of the criticism, namely the adverts regarding inclusivity.

[Rockrose]

Depends on where they are mouthing their disapproval really doesn’t it. I mean if they are slating it amongst themselves that’s one thing, but if the are going to social media or the press then yes they should be punished as one would expect that to be strictly against the rules.

[KARL]

They should in exactly the same way and to the same extent as they can criticise their superiors right up to the top.

[anotheoldgit]

Rockrose

What rules???

One is bound by official secrets legislation, but I doubt even in this day and age, it is not against rules to criticise the 'Top Brass' on social media.

[Rockrose]

Every civil servant and I believe the forces are classed as civil servants are warned about social media usage in particular anything that could bring shame on their employer

[rockyracoon]

Senior officers are threatening to punish anyone caught making derogatory comments on social media about the £1.6 million ‘This is Belonging’ campaign.

If I was caught being derogatory about my employer, I'd be punished too.

[ummmm]

My son works in the civil service and he was told as soon as he got the job that he wasn't allowed to post political opinions on any social media.

[anotheoldgit]

Rockrose

The Civil Service does not include government ministers (who are politically appointed), members of the British Armed Forces, the police, officers of local government or NDPBs of the Houses of Parliament, employees of the National Health Service (NHS), or staff of the Royal Household.

[andy-hughes]

As I said, it's easy to take 2 and 2 and make 22 out of this.

The media want to spin this so that soldiers are being punished for speaking about for disagreeing with an 'inclusivity' advertising campaign.

I believe that the threat is due to conduct regulations about bringing the army into disrepute, and that is not the same thing at all.

[THECORBYLOON]

I think you'll find that any employer would object to adverse criticism from an an employee if they are named and shamed on social media.

They would class that as misconduct and dismissal could result.

[dannyk13]

Depends how they express the criticism

[Rockrose]

I don't know if your last comment is entirely correct anotheroldgit, because the NHS is covered by the current government civil servant pay deal. therefore they must be civil servants.
And surely a civil servant is anyone who is paid by and gets a government pension?

[Rockrose]

OK just to stop the backwards and forwards - most employers will take action against their staff if they slate their employer on social media - and I know the forces have rules in place regarding contact with social media and the press.

[Peter Pedant]

// but I doubt even in this day and age, it is not against rules to criticise the 'Top Brass' on social media. //

you have been retired too long

it is now commonplace for an employer to demand loyalty - and not to slog him off in social media
the whole of whistle blowing legislation is built around this premiss

it is a fact of life

[Peter Pedant]

// the NHS is covered by the current government civil servant pay deal.//

yes or no - NHS employees are in a category called NHS employees with their own ts and Cs pension arrangements etc which are quite separate from the Civil Service ( I know I have worke din both ). If anyone waved CS regs at me I would have laughed....

altho ' I suspect that it doesnt affect the thrust of your argument

[Zacs-Master]

‘The Civil Service does not include government ministers‘

Apart from the Secretary of State you mean?

Why do you write things which are clearly utter bunkum, and present them as fact, AOG?

Just to educate you (again) The structure of the home civil service is divided into organisations, grades and professions. Each Secretary of State has a Department which has executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies subordinate to it. A secretary of state is a Cabinet minister in charge of a government department.

[Ken4155]

The Army Act of 1955 covers a multitude of sins - i fell foul of many of them - and is always being amended. Wouldn't surprise me in the least to now find a sub-section covering social media usage.

[Zacs-Master]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-social-media-a-guide-for-military-personnel

[Ken4155]

Interesting, Zac, but I'm talking Draconianesque hard and fast rules and regs. The ones which, when broken, can land you with a hefty fine or a couple of months in the Regimental nick.