Freedom of thought?

I remember way back when you felt free to express your opinions without fear of being spied upon. The Hippie has made herself paranoid. She seems to realise that she says things that are inappropriate for her current position, whilst at work. She definitely said things that flagged herself during our training.

When one of our trainers said that we must be apolitical, the Hippie took exception with it. I can understand that while I am at work for the Public Service, it is expected that I fulfill my duties to carry out the policies of the Government of the Day. If I was to espouse pro Howard speeches during my working hours, then I can expect to be shafted when the Liberal party loses power, and vice versa. The hippies seemed to take exception with the view that we are not meant to express our political opinions at work.

She later told some of us that she was an activist, and attended rallies and protests, and she found it ridiculous that we are expected to be apolitical.

She has also since then, admitted that she sometimes says things to customer on the phone, that are not totally kosher. She made this latest confession to us after voicing her concerns about her phone. She told our team that she keeps hearing clicks when she is talking to customers. She thinks her phone is tapped, and that the powers that be are spying on her. None of the rest of the team have experienced any clicks on their lines.

In a way, I find it amusing. The Hippie has constantly flagged herself as a square peg in the round hole that is the Public Service. Most of us may find this, but we manage to camouflage our squareness to appear to fit in the round hole. The Hippie just manages to keep shouting out "I'm square and I don't want to fit in the round hole!" I think she has brought this on herself.

On the other hand, though, it is slightly disturbing that a new employee of the Public Service feels that she is being spied upon for what comes naturally to her: expressing her opinion.

DPS