Can I be wrongfully terminated for expressing my opinion?

Yes, you can be wrongfully terminated for expressing your opinion in New Mexico. Under the New Mexico Human Rights Act, employers cannot fire employees on the basis of their race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics. Additionally, employers cannot terminate employees based on their political or religious views, or any opinions they may express in the workplace. This protection against wrongful termination extends to employees expressing their opinions in private conversations, such as those with colleagues or in a union meeting. However, there are certain limits to this protection. An employer can fire an employee if their opinion is disruptive to the organization or if it violates the company policy. For example, an employee who expresses an opinion that is offensive or discriminatory to other employees, or expresses support for illegal activities in the workplace, could be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Additionally, the protection against wrongful termination for expressing opinions does not extend to employees who make defamatory or libelous statements about their employer or other employees. Thus, any statement that is false and damaging to another party could still be grounds for termination. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of what you say in the workplace and to be careful not to make any statements that could be considered disrespectful, offensive, or libelous. If you are unsure about the implications of expressing an opinion, it is best to consult with your employer or an attorney to ensure that you are not putting yourself at risk of wrongful termination.

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