Workers in California are being told that they aren't allowed to speak to reporters when asked to. Instead, they are supposed to refer them to a supervisor. However, the question is now being asked, "Does this violate their First Amendment right of Freedom of Expression?" The answer is simple: absolutely. By denying these employees to speak to reporters, they are taking away their right to express themselves. For example, if something was going on in the company, these employees may want to be honest to the public about it. They are not as worried about covering things up to make the company look better. However, the supervisors may be looking to twist things a little bit to make them not seem as bad. They don't want their employees saying anything about the company that may hurt them, although what they say might be truthful.

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, located at 450 N St. in Sacramento. Rich Pedroncelli AP file photo, 2014
Picture retrieved from https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article238958093.html

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 Simply by accepting these government jobs, it is not right (or constitutional) in any way for these employees to be giving up their American rights. Not only are these restrictions unconstitutional, they may be problematic. For example, let's say an employee was to speak up about a maintenance problem at their workplace that their supervisor did not want the media to know about and the supervisor punishes the employee by firing them. This brings up many other issues, which the company should be punished for, not the employee.
Although in some cases, it may make more sense for a supervisor to speak about something. If reporters are asking questions about something that the supervisor has more access to information about, it may make more sense for the supervisor to speak on it. However, this does not mean that the right for the employee to speak on it should be revoked. They should have the choice, as an American, whether or not they want to express themselves.

Picture retrieved from Why Freedom of Expression Still Matters


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Gag clauses for California state workers, public employees might violate First Amendment rights

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article238958093.html#storylink=cpy