[geofft]

Yes, advocating for improvements in labor conditions is protected.

No, creating a hostile work environment in the course of such advocacy is not protected, no matter how many scientists back you up. I recommend you read the NLRB decision: https://apps.nlrb.gov/link/document.aspx/09031d45826e6391

[zozbot234]

Are you aware that Damore's memo was only sent to a specialized group of people who were specifically interested in diversity issues, and everything that happened thereafter (leading up to his firing) was the result of people leaking his memo in an abridged version which deleted all references to the actual science? Someone was very clearly creating a "hostile" work environment, right then and there - but it wasn't Damore.

[geofft]

I'm aware of this. I've argued at length over the Damore memo on this website before and I'm not interested in doing so again. (If you think the NLRB decided wrongly, convincing me does no good, convince the NLRB.) I am simply disputing that the Damore decision from the NLRB gives Google precedent to fire these employees. If you think Damore should have been even more protected by labor law than Damore was, great, then these employees were definitely protected and firing them was definitely illegal.