Same thing really
Ok I see your point, but what they have been punished for is breach of contract, which was I believe 'bringing the company into disrepute.'
Now as I understand it, this 'disreputing' was not done in the workplace, but in their private time when they were expressing their views and opinions between a themselves. It is my view therefore that freedom of speach does come into this. I'm sorry Mr Moderator, technically you may be correct, but morally I believe I am correct. You have the wip hand here, but are we not allowed to raise these points?