2025 Pub. 7 Issue 1

Driving Utah’s Economy

The effects of workplace violence are profound, including physical and emotional suffering, destroyed careers and harm to companies and communities. And it comes at a staggering economic price. Although estimates differ, researchers have put the cost of workplace violence at as much as $56 billion annually — and that figure is likely significantly low.

For the first time in history, we have five generations in the workplace, which also means dealerships are juggling the interests, needs and communication styles of members whose ages span over a half-century. Each of these groups has been influenced by the socio-cultural events that took place during the formative years of their lifetimes, including how each generation views its financial needs, goals and communication preferences. A generation is defined as “a group of people born around the same time and raised around the same place. People in this birth cohort exhibit similar characteristics, preferences and values over their lifetimes.”

As political tensions surge and employee expression spill into every corner of the modern workplace, employers are finding themselves caught in the crossfire. From off-hours protests to heated workplace debates and viral social media posts, the question for us isn’t just whether speech is free, but whether it’s job-protected. With laws, rights and risks swirling around every conversation, t-shirt, post and “like,” it’s time for a clear-eyed guide. Here’s what your business needs to know about navigating employee speech in various scenarios, both on and off the clock.